1Experimental Observations of Incapacitation via Ballistic Pressure Wave without a Wound Channel

This article describes experimental observation that incapacitation and injury can be caused by a ballistic pressure wave independently from wounding caused by crushing effects of a bullet in the wound channel. Live animal test subjects partially immersed in water were observed to be incapacitated by a ballistic pressure wave created by a bullet passing through the water close to the test subject without hitting the test subject. The water coupled the pressure wave to the thoracic cavity of the test subject without perforation. Bullets producing larger pressure waves caused incapacitation, whereas a load producing smaller pressure waves did not