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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The U.S. Approach: Deminer Personal Protective Equipment Development, George Zahaczewsky Jun 2000

The U.S. Approach: Deminer Personal Protective Equipment Development, George Zahaczewsky

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The deminer and his partner began work at 0730. By 0850, they had cleared 50 square meters. Both men wore frag-jackets, helmets and visors. The victim was clearing by using his prodder. He was called to help his section leader remove grass from a large pothole in the road. As he returned at 0850, he stepped on a mine he had previously missed. (Extracted from the Database of Demining Incident Victims, 1999, Incident #53.)


Manual Demining In Afghanistan, Kefayatullah Eblagh Jun 2000

Manual Demining In Afghanistan, Kefayatullah Eblagh

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article has been removed.


Reducing Accidents In Demining: Achievements In Afghanistan, James Trevelyan Jun 2000

Reducing Accidents In Demining: Achievements In Afghanistan, James Trevelyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article has been removed.


Comparative Study Of Different Lightweight Head Protection Systems With Full-Face Visors For Humanitarian Deminers, J. Nerenberg, S. Islam, Aris Makris, J.P. Dionne Jun 2000

Comparative Study Of Different Lightweight Head Protection Systems With Full-Face Visors For Humanitarian Deminers, J. Nerenberg, S. Islam, Aris Makris, J.P. Dionne

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A key component of any Personal Protective Ensemble (PPE) for demining is the helmet and/or face shield. For obvious reasons, protecting the face of a deminer is of utmost importance in case of an accidental detonation of a mine. Currently, a wide range of head and face protective devices are available for the deminer, and this study attempts to evaluate these devices from several perspectives.


Hobby Deminers In Quang Tri Province, Douglas Patt Jun 2000

Hobby Deminers In Quang Tri Province, Douglas Patt

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the old days, anybody driving Highway 1 through the Vietnam central coastal regions could see neat stacks of unexploded ordnance (UXO) displayed everywhere beside the road. All the dangerous debris of past wars lay there like alien goods in storefront windows, each cairn marking the location of a scrap metal dealer. About four years ago, the Vietnamese government determined such displays inappropriate for a country moving to re-establish itself as a presence in the world community. The UXOs disappeared from view. The scrap metal dealers either removed their inventories to caches in the countryside or moved them behind screens.


Wwii Ordnance Still Haunts Europe And The Asia-Pacific Rim, Margaret S. Busé Jun 2000

Wwii Ordnance Still Haunts Europe And The Asia-Pacific Rim, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Explosives and mines from WWI and WWII still turn up on European and Asian construction sites, backyard gardens, beaches, wildlife preserves and former military training ground. For most countries, these discoveries are not isolated incidents but are the result of hastily cleared ammunition dumps, training ground, bombings and mine fields from these wars. In the United Kingdom, over 20 percent of the entire landmass has, at one time, been used for military training. This military training has resulted in uncovered ordnance that dates from cannon and musket balls to modern weapons. Many of the older U.K. ranges can contain an …


Mines Advisory Group, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Mines Advisory Group, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), U.K. Registered Charity No.1 020441, started in 1992. MAG's programs integrate mine/UXO survey, demarcation and clearance with awareness-raising activities to reduce landmine risks to affected populations. MAG's integrated approach prides itself on working with conflict-affected communities to identify and address their most pressing needs.


The Halo Trust, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

The Halo Trust, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

HALO in Cambodia operates the demining system of One-Man One Lane (OMOL). Traditional mine clearance has operated with three individuals performing detection, probing and trip wire detection/deactivation. With the use of improved German mine detectors, HALO has safely combined all tasks to a single man, doubling productivity and halving personnel costs.


Saving Private Hashim, Dennis Barlow Jun 2000

Saving Private Hashim, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sometimes, a subjective event can focus our thinking the way objective knowledge cannot. The movie "Saving Private Ryan" had the extraordinary effect of causing millions of cinema fans around the world to marvel and, hopefully, to ponder the extent to which we sometimes go to protect the life and dignity of one individual. The premise was that the policy, strategy and resources of a major country at war could be altered in such a way to defy objective logic (risking far too much for one individual) for a limited goal, in this case-to ensure the viability of one family. It …


The Facts On Protection Needs In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith Jun 2000

The Facts On Protection Needs In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

When assessing protection needs, my approach has been to determine what the risks are, what injuries result and then decide how to minimize these risks and protect against any residual danger. I also bear in mind that there is no point in prescribing an action or a garment that will not be used.


Poetry From The Mine Field, Chris North Jun 2000

Poetry From The Mine Field, Chris North

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Poetry from the Mine Field


Part Ii, Strategic Management For Mine Action Operations: A Case For Government- Industry Partnering, Alan Childress, Pete Owen Jun 2000

Part Ii, Strategic Management For Mine Action Operations: A Case For Government- Industry Partnering, Alan Childress, Pete Owen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Directed mainly at policy makers and leaders in mine-plagued nations and government and non-government mine action planners, the article argues for holistic mine action strategies, coordinated priorities and best management practices. The authors establish the need for nations to rake charge of their mine action organizations and present strategic management methodology to implement self-determination concepts. They insist that humanitarian demining must start with the end in mind, an integrated and nationally prioritized requirements analysis of each of the mine action areas: mine awareness, mine field assessment and surveys, mine and UXO clearance, victim assistance and information management. They also suggest …


Norwegian People's Aid, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Norwegian People's Aid, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Operating on the principles of solidarity, unity, human dignity, peace and freedom, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) is one of Norway's leading non-governmental organizations. Originating in 1939 as a result of the Norwegian labor movement, NPA quickly assumed an active role in Norway, performing rescue, first aid and public health services, assisting the elderly and disabled, offering services during natural disasters and operating reception centers for asylum seekers.


Security Devices, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Security Devices, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Appealing to a broad range of customers from governments to commercial demining companies, Security Devices offers high quality, economic demining products and has established its presence in the demining community. Andy Smith, an international specialist in humanitarian demining, designs the majority of the equipment Security Devices markets.


Intersos, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Intersos, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

INTERSOS is an Italian based organization founded in 1992, by a group of individuals who had already dedicated years of aid and understanding to victims in developing countries. INTERSOS is a non-profit, independent organization that works to support public and private institutions that share its perspective in aiding the victims of humanitarian tragedies across the world.


Gerbera Gmbh, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Gerbera Gmbh, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Comprised of a staff comprehensively trained in international operations involving project management and mine clearance, GERBERA Gmbh strives to offer a range of services to mine-affected countries.


Development Of A Procedure, Cameron R. Bass Jun 2000

Development Of A Procedure, Cameron R. Bass

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The human toll from AP mines is large. The United Nations estimates that there are over 100 million AP mines deployed worldwide (U.N. 2000). An estimated 20,000 civilians die each year from landmine explosions.Thousands more are wounded and maimed. As there is still no inexpensive and reliable mechanical technique for removing AP mines, human deminers will be used in the foreseeable future to protect the general population from the menace of landmines.


The Journal Of Mine Action Issue 4.2 (2000), Cisr Journal Jun 2000

The Journal Of Mine Action Issue 4.2 (2000), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Deminers, Manual Demining & Their Personal Protection


A Full-Scale Evaluation Of Lightweight Personal Protective Ensembles For Demining In Providing Protection Against Blast-Type Anti-Personnel Mines, Aris Makris, J. Nerenberg Jun 2000

A Full-Scale Evaluation Of Lightweight Personal Protective Ensembles For Demining In Providing Protection Against Blast-Type Anti-Personnel Mines, Aris Makris, J. Nerenberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A wide range of equipment, in the form of helmets, vests, aprons and trousers, is currently in use around the world to protect deminers against the effects of AP mines. Significant variations exist in terms of the level of protection afforded, operational usefulness, quality of manufacturing and cost of each of these components. To date, there have been limited studies undertaken to systematically and quantitatively assess the effectiveness of the different protective components applied to both the civilian and military demining theaters. This study summarizes the efforts of numerous full-scale test series carried out in 1999, with particular emphasis on …


Countering The Global Landmine Epidemic Through Basic Scientific Research, Mark S. Rountree, Robert M. Harris Jun 2000

Countering The Global Landmine Epidemic Through Basic Scientific Research, Mark S. Rountree, Robert M. Harris

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since their first use during the U.S. Civil War (Croll 1998), blast landmines have played a role in almost every armed conflict from the World Wars to the most recent limited skirmishes. Landmines are the epitome of the consummate soldier: always ready, never tiring. Mines are simple devices that can be fabricated with little effort and from readily available materials. In Sri Lanka, numerous news releases covering the conflict mention a "Johnny mine" (Botsford 1997), which is a local term for an improvised explosive device. Manufactured mines can be inexpensive, costing as little as two dollars apiece. If mine laying …


The Human Touch, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas Jun 2000

The Human Touch, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Biting insects, inaccessible terrain, impenetrable bamboo thickets and thorn bushes. Mine clearance in Cambodia is a hot, sweaty business at the best of times. Because tripwires hidden in the undergrowth could trigger explosions, the vegetation has to be cleared by hand before mine detection can start. It is a tedious matter and can occupy two-thirds of a mine clearer's working day.


Quality Standards For Demining, James Trevelyan Jun 2000

Quality Standards For Demining, James Trevelyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the last two years, several authors have commented critically on the 99.6 percent standard for humanitarian mine clearance adopted by the United Nations and its agencies. These standards are being redrafted, yet from the literature and recent comments, it is clear that there is little intellectual foundation on which to build a new standard. There are three issues that need to be addressed. First, what is an acceptable quality standard for humanitarian demining? Second, how can one measure the quality levels actually achieved in humanitarian demining? Third, how can one implement a cost-effective training and monitoring process to ensure …


Conquering The Insurmountable, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier Jun 2000

Conquering The Insurmountable, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Canadian Center for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) is a partnership of resources from the Department of National Defense and Industry Canada. The Center is co-located with the Defense Research Establishment Suffield (ORES) at Canadian Force Base Suffield in Alberta.


We Didn't Think It Could Happen To Us, Chris North Jun 2000

We Didn't Think It Could Happen To Us, Chris North

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

"We Didn't Think it Could Happen to Us" by Chris North


Mozambique: A Country Ravaged By Civil War And Nature, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier Jun 2000

Mozambique: A Country Ravaged By Civil War And Nature, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mozambique, a nation fraught with the aftermath of civil war and, more recently, torrential downpours devastating the countryside, has attained sufficient stability to attempt the mammoth task of reconstructing its social and economic foundation. After suffering through 16-20 years of civil war, which eventually subsided in 1992, Mozambique's demining efforts were progressing when the nation was struck by Cyclone Eline in late February 2000 and Cyclone Hudah in mid-April 2000, complicating the demining mission. Initial reports indicated that mine fields that had been previously mapped for clearance had suddenly vanished, as the violent storms swept the mines to unknown locations. …


Central America Landmine Survivors: The Need For Action In Nicaragua, William Boyce Jun 2000

Central America Landmine Survivors: The Need For Action In Nicaragua, William Boyce

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines are indiscriminate weapons, wounding and killing not only soldiers but women and children as well. Although hostilities may cease, landmines continue to maim and kill 500 victims a week, the equivalent of 26,000 additional disabled persons each year. There are at least 250,000 landmine-disabled people in the world, and the number continues to grow.


Afghan Technical Consultants, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Afghan Technical Consultants, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article has been removed.


Mines Clearance International, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Mines Clearance International, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mines Clearance International (MCI) is an established humanitarian demining agency and a registered charity in the U.K. A fairly new organization, MCI was established, in April 1996, to respond to the problem landmines and unexploded ordnance posed to civilians, particularly in the underdeveloped nations of the Southern Hemisphere. MCI staff, though newly on board, includes well-qualified technical and aid personnel with experience in humanitarian responses to the landmine issue.


Geomines: Exploring Manual Demining Techniques, Geo Velez Jun 2000

Geomines: Exploring Manual Demining Techniques, Geo Velez

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since its creation, Geomines has assumed an active role in the demining community. Accredited by the United Nations, the European Commission and the BHMAC of Sarajevo, Geomines is the result of the combined efforts of marine-oriented Geocean Solmarine and the mine clearance-oriented E.O.D. NewTechnologies.


Stiftung Sankt Barbara, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Stiftung Sankt Barbara, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Stiftung Sankt Barbara is a private foundation with its central headquarters in Munster, Germany. The organization was established in 1995, but its first mission was organized in October 1996. Sankt Barbara is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to protect the native people of different countries through knowledge of landmines, accurate demining and rehabilitation.