Total body disruption explained

Total body disruption is the acute, fatal destruction of the body.^[1] Synonymous terminology from the field of emergency medical services (EMS) is gross dismemberment.^[2]

Commonly referred to as being "blown up", "blown apart", "gibbed", or "dashed to pieces" in older literature,^[3] total body disruption may be caused by such traumas as being within or in close proximity to a powerful explosion, uncontrolled decompression, or implosion. It is the most severe type of blast injury.^[4] Gross dismemberment may also be caused by a fall at terminal velocity onto a solid surface or water, from being within a high-speed crashing object, or during incidents involving high pressure differentials, where the body may be forced through a small crevice, as in the Byford Dolphin diving bell accident.

Total body disruption is invariably fatal to most complex life, such as humans, as structures necessary for continued survival are rendered non-functional. In the case of humans, the brain (if not destroyed) is deprived of oxygenated blood, while other organs (if not destroyed) are deprived of the involuntary functions.^[5] In some jurisdictions, gross dismemberment is the only (and thence obligatory) assessment where EMS personnel may declare death.^{[6] [7]}

Incomplete, initially unidentifiable human remains caused by total body disruption may be referred to as "disassociated portions".^[8]

See also

• Decapitation
• Dismemberment
• Hemicorporectomy
• Incompatible with life

Notes and References

1. Holcomb JB, McMullin NR, Pearse L, Caruso J, Wade CE, Oetjen-Gerdes L . etal. Causes of death in U.S. Special Operations Forces in the global war on terrorism: 2001-2004. . Ann Surg . 2007 . 245 . 6 . 986–91 . 17522526 . 10.1097/01.sla.0000259433.03754.98 . 1876965 .
2. https://www.jems.com/administration-and-leadership/proof-life-make-every-possible/
3. Web site: Indianapolis Journal 13 May 1902 . Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program . 1902-05-13 . 2020-09-17.
4. Book: Kristi L. Koenig. Carl H. Schultz. Koenig and Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices. 18 April 2016. Cambridge University Press. 978-1-316-47292-7. 469–470.
5. Champion HR, Holcomb JB, Young LA. Injuries from explosions: physics, biophysics, pathology, and required research focus. . J Trauma . 2009 . 66 . 5 . 1468-77; discussion 1477 . 19430256 . 10.1097/TA.0b013e3181a27e7f .
6. https://scmh.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DeadonScene.pdf
7. http://www.ocmca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-Protocols/Section-7-Procedures/7.6-Patient-Death-Termination-of-Resusitation-and-Pronouncement.pdf
8. Book: ((American Society of Magazine Editors)). Jones. Chris. The Best American Magazine Writing 2009. https://books.google.com/books?id=eMQIeR9m2WgC&pg=PA85. November 2009. Columbia University Press. 978-0-231-14796-5. 85. The Things That Carried Him.