Stun grenade
A stun grenade is a non-lethal explosive device designed to produce an intense flash and loud bang that temporarily disorient people.
Flash blindness: A temporary loss or reduction of vision after exposure to intense light. The device’s flash can overwhelm vision briefly, disrupting orientation.
Hostage rescue: An operation to free people held against their will while limiting danger to them. Stun grenades have been used to distract occupants during some rescue operations.
Tear gas: A chemical irritant that causes intense eye, respiratory, and skin irritation. Unlike a stun grenade’s brief sensory burst, tear gas causes sustained chemical irritation.
Blast injury: Physical harm caused by the pressure, heat, or debris of an explosion. Close detonations can injure people even when the device is intended to disorient.
British Army: The land warfare branch of the United Kingdom’s armed forces. British forces developed early stun grenades for operations in Northern Ireland.
Acoustic trauma: Physical injury to the hearing system caused by exposure to damaging sound. Its sharp report can cause pain, ringing, or hearing damage despite temporary intended effects.
Special Weapons and Tactics: Specialized police units trained and equipped for high-risk operations. Police tactical teams are among the units that may deploy these devices.
Smoke grenade: A grenade that releases smoke to obscure vision or signal a location. Smoke grenades primarily create a visual screen rather than a disorienting flash and bang.
Burn: Tissue damage caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Hot components or flames can cause burns, particularly at close range.
Northern Ireland conflict: A conflict from the late 1960s to 1998 involving national identity, governance, and political violence in Northern Ireland. The conflict formed the setting for early development and use of stun grenades.