Flashbang Effects: Stress Response
Abstract
Flashbang devices are widely used for degrading the response capability of individuals and small groups in situations such as tactical entry operations, but the required doses of acoustic, ocular, and tactile stimuli that result in effective suppression effects while minimizing risk of injury are not well understood. Each of these stimuli produce a physiological stress response which may cause deficits in performance. This study was designed to evaluate flashbang effectiveness through the impact of an acoustic overpressure at levels below temporary auditory injury thresholds on behavioral measures of stress with animal subjects. Specifically, animal behavior and performance for two acoustic overpressure levels and a control were evaluated under this protocol. Results for this testing show decreased performance for female subjects for a 155 dBP, 0.7 ms duration overpressure relative to control conditions or a 143 dBP, 0.7 ms duration overpressure. These results support recommendations for future flashbang research and development activities towards optimizing stimuli to achieve the desired suppressive effects while minimizing the risk of injury.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1199666
Entities
People
- Greg Rule
- Mark Espinoza
- Monika Fleshner
- Nathaniel T. Greene
- Nick Brunstad
- Robert S. Thompson
- Ted Argo
Organizations
- Applied Research Associates (United States)
- University of Colorado Boulder