Hand Held Smoke Bombs? The 165 New Answer

IWA International is a Miami, FL based company specializing in importing unique tactical gear from around the world. We recently had the chance to play with some of their latest releases – civilian-legal flashbangs.

Actual flashbangs manufactured for military and law enforcement use are classified by the ATF as destructive devices and are not available on the commercial market. They typically consist of an explosive charge and an initiating mechanism in a steel or aluminum grenade body. We’ve seen simulators and training aids available for unrestricted purchase that use shotgun blanks or even CO2 cartridges to create the bang popular for use in airsoft and paintball matches.

But the IWA pony is a little different. They consist of a small charge in a cardboard tube. The design actually reminds us of some of the first generation concussion grenades that used a similar cardboard or paper body. The IWA grenades are classified as pyrotechnics and are subject to the same restrictions as fireworks. Because of this, shipping is limited to ground transportation, meaning only those in the Lower 48 can purchase them, regardless of state and local laws.

There are currently three models available from IWA – the M11 Multi-Burst, the M12 Distraction Device and the M13 Thermobaric Canister. The M11 emits a single loud pop, followed by two smaller pops. The M12 is a single charge, and the M13 Thermobaric produces a single loud pop and “mild overpressure” as described by the folks at the IWA. Luckily, they sent us a couple of each to test. All three models feature OD green cardboard bodies and pull ring safety devices with a safety spoon that flies free when the safety ring is pulled. Each grenade is individually labeled, and while the bodies look identical, the labels are large and clearly marked, so when you pull the pin you know what you’re getting. They’re about the same size as a real Flashbang and seem to fit most nylon bags made for the real deal.

Of course there are some differences between the IWA products and reality. The biggest difference is the audio output. DefTec and ALS products generate approximately 175 decibels upon detonation. The IWA grenades are rated for 125 decibels. The other big difference is the time lag. Tactical Flashbangs typically have a 1.5 second delay, while the IWA versions are currently advertised as 2.5 seconds. They tell us they are working on an improved fuse that will reduce the lag to 2 seconds or less.

People we spoke to at IWA say these are primarily for training and simulation purposes. Not to mention the obvious f*ck-yeah factor of throwing grenades for every special occasion you can think of. The lower sound output makes it more of a sophisticated M80 than a post-apocalyptic home defense tool, but we don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Who needs a reason to detonate explosives? All three versions of the IWA Flashbang are available for 0.99 each, with tiered pricing available.

You’ll have to hold off on the photos here for now, but stay tuned to RecoilWeb and RecoilTV for videos of our testing of these unique products. In the meantime, head over to iwainternationalinc.com and pick up one or two.

This article originally appeared on Recoilweb. Follow @RecoilMag on Twitter.

A pest control ‘smoke bomb’ set off a fire alarm at a flat in Tidworth, prompting firefighters to be called.

The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is now warning people that using ‘smoke bombs’ to control pests can accidentally set off fire alarm systems.

A Ludgershall fire crew was called to Arnott Close after smoke detectors were reported on September 12.

Firefighters found the property uninhabited, but a number of pest control devices had been activated.

Group leader Katie Cornhill said: “While it must have made perfect sense to shut down the units and then leave the house for the day because of the fumes they were producing, the smoke was enough to set off the smoke alarms.

“Smoke bombs are best used by pest control professionals as they know how to mitigate the risks and certainly professional advice should be sought before using such devices in the home.”

She commended the neighbor for calling 999, adding: “The neighbor did exactly the right thing, he heard the alarm and called the fire department. However, had they known that smoke bombs were being used on the property, that information could have been shared with us at the time of the call.”

introduction

Smoke bombs are widely used in military exercises, firefighter training, and on the battlefield as a blackout device. After combustion, smoke bombs release fumes that may contain zinc chloride, zinc oxide, hydrochloric acid, hexachloroethane, calcium chloride, aluminum, and other chemical components. Zinc chloride is the main toxic factor leading to inhalation injury.

The average diameter of smoke particles is around 2 to 3 µm (1). Particles of this size are large enough to be covered with protective masks such as B. high-efficiency respirators with particulate air filters. However, if not filtered, the smoke particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the alveoli and easily damage the alveoli. This causes opportunistic infections of the lungs and secondary injuries, even leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (1-6).

Some studies suggest that inhalation of fumes from smoke bombs in confined spaces causes interstitial and alveolar edema, proliferation of fibroblasts, an increase in interstitial and alveolar collagen in the early phase, and pulmonary fibrosis in the late phase, which can lead to death (3.4). Smoke inhalation injuries have a complex pathogenesis and there is no specific treatment. The collective action of inhaled toxic gases and particles, hypoxia and thermal environment can quickly lead to damage to the respiratory system. This causes increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries, reduced lung compliance and bronchospasm, leading to a reduction in lung function.

In this study, we examined the effects of acute airway and lung injury from smoke bombs on the lung function of 15 soldiers in China, as well as changes in lung function at different stages.

methods

patients

We studied 15 soldiers who had an acute respiratory injury and were admitted to our hospital for treatment in November 2014. These patients were all males aged 18-24 years with a mean age of 21.07 ± 1.62 (mean ± SD) years. They had been exposed to dense fumes in a confined space for about 1 minute after an accidental smoke bomb explosion during a military exercise. They initially suffered from chest discomfort, tachypnea and coughing up black sputum. Some patients had dizziness, runny nose, nausea and vomiting. Seven to twenty-eight hours after smoke inhalation, patients were sent to the emergency room for symptomatic treatment. They were transferred to the Department of Pulmonary and Intensive Care Medicine. Her clinical diagnosis was inhalation lung injury. As part of their initial evaluation, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), high-resolution computed tomography scans, blood gas analysis, bronchoscopy, and whole blood determination of the trace element zinc were performed. After rehabilitation, patients were followed up on an outpatient basis and PFTs, high-resolution computed tomography, and blood gas analysis were performed.

This study was conducted in accordance with the Amended Declaration of Helsinki. We obtained informed consent for the study from patients and approved it by the China PLA General Hospital Ethics Committee (S2014-011-01).

PFT

PFTs were performed to determine the level of functional impairment and were performed in our clinic’s pulmonary function laboratory. We used standard procedures and followed the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society published in 2005 (7-10). Lung ventilation, lung capacity and gas exchange were measured with a spirometer (MasterScreen Body; Jaeger, Würzburg, Germany). The diffusing capacity of the lungs was determined by the single-breath carbon monoxide technique. The measurement results were analyzed by computer software (Software Master Lab Manager V5.31.0; Jaeger). Each test was repeated three or more times and all spirometric values ​​were expressed as a percentage of the predicted values. The main test points were: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum mean expiratory flow (MMEF75/25), residual volume (RV), functional residual capacity (FRC), total Lung capacity (TLC), RV/TLC, diffusing capacity for lung carbon monoxide (DLCO), alveolar ventilation and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide per liter alveolar volume (DLCO/V A ).

Measurement of Zinc

The main pathogen ingredient in smoke bombs is zinc chloride. We measured whole blood zinc levels in each patient 4 days after smoke inhalation (acute stage, n=15) and in some patients with severe lung injury 17 days after smoke inhalation (convalescent stage, n=4). The test sample was anticoagulated venous blood (3 ml) and the anticoagulant was heparin. The method of detection was atomic absorption spectrometry. The equipment is an atomic absorption spectrometer BH5100S (Bohui Innovation Technology. Co., Ltd., China).

Statistical analysis

SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. The comparison of blood gas analysis results between the normal MMEF75/25 group and the abnormal MMEF75/25 group was analyzed using the t-test for independent samples. The paired-sample t-test was used to compare zinc levels in the acute and convalescent stages. The Pearson correlation test was used to correlate PFT results with zinc levels. Measurement data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (mean ± standard deviation). Differences were considered significant if the P value was < 0.05. Results A total of 11 patients were diagnosed with inhalation lung injury, with a relatively stable condition with mild symptoms. Another four patients with severe symptoms were diagnosed with severe lung injury and multiple organ damage (one patient with ARDS). These patients were admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit. Chest CT showed ground glass opacity in four patients with severe symptoms and the remaining patients were normal. Patients were treated with anti-infectives, antidotes (dimercaptopropane sodium sulfonate), hepatoprotectors (polyene phosphatidylcholine and reduced glutathione), gastric acid suppressants (omeprazole sodium), hormones (methylprednisolone sodium succinate), and ulinastatin to inhibit the inflammatory response. Critically ill patients received continuous renal replacement therapy, plasmapheresis, bronchoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage. After treatment, 14 convalescent patients were hospitalized for 7-44 days, a mean of 16.86 ± 13.06 days. A critically ill patient with ARDS, disease progression through the stage of acute lung injury, multiple organ dysfunction and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. We performed endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation mode was synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) + pressure support (prone ventilation), the patient with ARDS and secondary pulmonary fibrosis died of multiple organ failure on the 19th day of hospitalization. PFT All but one patient with severe lung damage underwent PFTs. Eleven patients with mild symptoms were treated with PFT on days 3 to 46 after the accident. Testing was performed on days 3 (n=11), 6 (n=11), 10 (n=10), and 46 (n=8) in most patients. The PFT results of patients with mild symptoms are shown in Table 1. On day 3 after smoke inhalation (acute phase), three patients (27.3%) had completely normal lung function, while eight patients (72.7%) had abnormal function. A total of 18.2% of patients with TLC and FVC < 80% of predicted values; 27.3% with FEV1 < 80%; 45.5% with FEV1/FVC < 80% (but more than 70%); 27.3% with peak expiratory flow < 80%; 63.6% with MMEF75/25 < 80%; 54.5% had a decrease in small airway function; 27.3% with RV/TLC > 35%; 45.5% with DLCO < 80%; 9% with DLCO/VA < 80%. These findings indicated that most patients in the acute stage of smoke inhalation presented mainly restrictive breathing disorders and reduced diffusing capacity. In addition, dysfunction of the small airways was noted in most patients. Thereafter, the PFT results of all patients progressively improved (Figure 1). On day 46 after smoke inhalation, only one patient had a slightly reduced diffusion capacity and 27.3% of patients had small airway dysfunction. Table 1 PFT results from patients with mild symptoms Complete table of PFT results from patients with mild symptoms Figure 1 PFT changes at days 3, 6, 10 and 46 after smoke inhalation in patients with mild symptoms (patients 1 to 11). The PFT results showed that the patients in the acute stage of smoke inhalation mainly presented a restrictive respiratory disorder and a reduced diffusion capacity. Thereafter, the PFT scores of all patients progressively improved (P < 0.05). On day 46, one patient had a slightly reduced diffusing capacity. Data are presented as a percentage of the predicted value (d 3: n=11, d 6: n=11, d 10: n=10, d 46: n=8). Of 4 patients with severe lung injury and other organ damage, 1 died without receiving PFT. One patient was rarely given PFTs because of his severe symptoms. Two other patients (Patient A and Patient B) had a longer hospital stay and longer follow-up than the other patients. These two patients were administered PFTs on days 3, 19, 41, 52, 61, 70, 80, 90, 140 and 180 after smoke inhalation. The PFT results showed that these two patients had moderate to severe restrictive breathing dysfunction and reduced diffusing capacity on day 3 after smoke inhalation. Which FEV1 was 54% and 48%; FVC was 46.9% and 55.3%; FEV1/FVC was 98% and 73%; RV/TLC was 36% and 31%; D LCO was 60.7% and 30.9%. One patient had small airway dysfunction. Thereafter, the PFT results of these two patients progressively improved. On the 140th day of follow-up, the results of the PFTs of these two patients normalized (Figure 2). Figure 2 PFT changes on days 3 to 180 after smoke inhalation in patients with severe symptoms (Patients A and B). By day 3, the patients had moderate to severe restrictive breathing dysfunction and reduced diffusing capacity. Thereafter, the PFT results progressively improved. On the 140th day of follow-up, the PFT results returned to normal. The data is presented as a percentage of the predicted value. A total of 13 patients underwent PFT in the first 3 days after smoke inhalation. Eight of these patients showed a decrease in MMEF75/25, while five patients showed normal values. The patients were divided into two groups: one group had normal MMEF75/25 values ​​and the other group had abnormal MMEF75/25 values. Blood gas analysis showed that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2 ) was significantly higher in the abnormal MMEF75/25 group than in the normal MMEF75/25 group (46.54 ± 2.41 vs. 43.60 ± 2.49 mmHg, P=0.047). Correlation of zinc levels with PFT results The zinc levels in whole blood were measured in all patients in the acute phase (day 4, n=15). The mean blood zinc level was 104.28+17.40 mol/L. Blood zinc levels were measured a second time in four patients and the mean zinc levels were 98.93 + 18.27 mol/L in the acute stage and 80.93 + 17.85 mol/L in the convalescent stage. Zinc levels in the convalescent stage were significantly lower than in the acute stage (P=0.032, Figure 3). Figure 3 Acute (day 4) and convalescent (day 17) zinc levels in four critically ill patients. In 4 patients in whom zinc levels were measured in the acute and convalescent stages, the zinc levels in the convalescent stage were significantly lower than those in the acute stag (P = 0.032, n = 4). Whole blood zinc levels at the acute stage (Day 4) were negatively correlated with D LCO/VA at Days 3, 10, and 46 (r = -0.633, -0.676, and -0.675, respectively; P = 0.027, 0.032, and 0.023). ), but there was no significant correlation at day 6 (r = −0.261, P = 0.412). Whole blood zinc levels in the acute stage did not correlate with FVC, TLC, FEV1, DLCO, and zinc levels in the convalescent stage. A scatterplot of acute-stage zinc levels and D LCO/V A is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 Scatterplot of acute-stage zinc levels (Day 4) and DLCO/VA on Days 3, 6, 10, and 46. Zinc levels (Day 4) were negatively correlated with DLCO/VA on Days 3, 10, and 46, but at day 6 there was no significant correlation (d 3: n=12; d 6: n=12; d 10: n=10; d 46: n=11). discussion As early as 1945, Evans reported the first zinc chloride smoke inhalation incident that occurred during World War II. In that case, 70 soldiers were exposed to zinc chloride fumes, resulting in lung injuries. Ultimately, ten of these soldiers died (11). The smoke bomb is still used to inflict acute respiratory injuries and acute lung injuries. Although uncommon, smoke bombs can be deadly. After combustion, smoke bombs release vapors that may contain zinc chloride, zinc oxide, hydrochloric acid, hexachloroethane, calcium chloride, and aluminum. When these vapors diffuse in an open, ventilated, high-humidity environment, smoke bombs have little effect on the human body (12). However, when smoke bomb fumes spread in a relatively closed environment, even inhalation for only 1-2 minutes is dangerous to the human body. Smoke inhalation damage is primarily caused by zinc chloride. Zinc chloride is highly corrosive and can quickly damage the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Strong inhalation causes cough, chest tightness, hoarseness, tachypnea, dyspnea, and fever (3,4,12). Exposure to high concentrations of zinc chloride, particularly in confined spaces, can cause ARDS and possibly death (3,4). Clinical, radiological and pathological findings and management of patients exposed to this smoke have been described (1-6,12). However, the description of lung function findings has so far been limited to a few cases (1,2,5) and there is a lack of knowledge about long-term effects on lung function. Therefore, in the current study, patients with acute smoke bomb inhalation injury underwent lung function assessment and PFTs were performed 3 to 180 days after smoke inhalation. Lung damage caused by smoke inhalation affects a patient's lung function because normal lung function depends on chest wall integrity, improvement in respiratory muscles, open airways, normal lung tissue structure, good lung compliance, and other factors. After smoke inhalation, the synergistic effect of toxic ingredients and heat factors can cause a number of changes in pathophysiological processes, such as: B. inflammatory reactions, increased pulmonary capillary permeability, increased bronchial blood flow, bronchospasm and a decrease in compliance of the respiratory system. These abnormalities of the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue cause abnormal lung function. Our study showed that in the acute stage of lung injury, 27.3% of patients with mild symptoms had completely normal lung function. In addition, 72.7% of patients had varying degrees of decline in lung function, mainly declines in FVC, TLC, FEV1 and DLCO, small airway dysfunction and mild obstructive breathing disorder. A total of 18.2% of the patients showed restrictive respiratory dysfunction and 45.5% of the patients showed reduced diffusing capacity. In patients with severe symptoms diagnosed with ARDS, PFT results showed moderate to severe restrictive breathing dysfunction and reduced diffusing capacity, and one patient had small airway dysfunction. Thereafter, the PFT results of all patients progressively improved. In mild cases, most patients had almost normal PFT results by day 46 after smoke inhalation. In severe cases, patients had a longer follow-up period, and 140 days after smoke inhalation, PFT results returned to normal. These results suggest that smoke inhalation injury affects lung function mainly through restrictive breathing impairment and reduced diffusing capacity, consistent with previous literature (5). In some patients we also observed mild obstructive breathing disorders and deterioration in small airway function, which were not reported in previous clinical studies. Our study showed that PaCO 2 was significantly higher in the abnormal MMEF75/25 group than in the normal MMEF75/25 group. However, in some patients with mild lung injuries, there may be no significant change in lung function, or function may decrease but remain within the normal range. When a smoke inhalation injury is complicated by multiple organ damage, there is a greater impact on lung function and a longer recovery period is required. In such cases, patients need 5 months to fully recover. Some studies have shown that patients with severe lung damage caused by zinc chloride fumes still have restrictive breathing dysfunction after 6 months of smoke inhalation (1). In the current study, we did not observe this situation. D L CO/VA is the ratio of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity and alveolar volume and is the diffusing capacity per unit lung volume. D L CO/V A is relatively more important than D L CO. Our study showed that whole blood zinc levels were significantly lower in the convalescent stage than in the acute stage. In addition, zinc levels in the acute stage were negatively correlated with DLCO/VA in the acute stage and in the convalescent stage. This finding suggests that whole blood zinc levels can reliably predict the severity of zinc chloride fume inhalation injuries and prognosis. In addition, the degree of lung damage may be related to the inhalation time and the dose of zinc chloride inhaled. While zinc chloride is the most important pathogenic component of smoke bomb-induced inhalation injuries, there are likely other toxic components. In our study, 3 patients showed serum benzoic acid (0.1-0.2 µg/ml), but no hexachloroethane, trichloropropane or other volatile toxic gas components were detected. Alterations in the biochemistry and pathophysiology of smoke inhalation lung injury are complicated and not fully understood. Treating patients whose condition is complicated by ARDS is difficult. A good understanding of the pathophysiological process in acute smoke inhalation injury is required. PFTs are useful for patients with lung injury from inhalation, particularly for follow-up visits. Observing changes in lung function helps physicians understand pathophysiology and is helpful in determining effective treatments. The identification of effective prognostic factors in the early stages of inhalation lung injury is useful for patient rehabilitation. In this study, we observed the characteristics of lung function in patients with smoke bomb-induced lung injury. We found for the first time a correlation between lung function and the trace element zinc in whole blood in a relatively large series of patients with a zinc chloride fume inhalation injury. Our results demonstrate the danger of inhaling zinc chloride fumes, and severe cases can result in lung injury and even death. Although some of the surviving patients showed a transient decrease in lung capacity and reduced diffusing capacity, they recovered after a few months. However, whether there are any long-term effects on lung function in these patients is still unknown and further follow-up is required. Our results should be useful for future treatment of smoke inhalation injuries. Conclusions We conducted a study to show the effects of acute smoke bomb inhalation injury on lung function at different stages of lung injury. Fifteen patients with acute inhalation injury were studied 3 to 180 days after smoke inhalation. We found that the main problems caused by smoke inhalation injury were restrictive breathing dysfunction and reduced diffusing capacity; Some patients developed mild obstructive respiratory dysfunction and a decrease in small airway function. This study is the first to confirm a relationship, specifically a negative correlation, between zinc concentration and lung function in patients with zinc chloride-induced smoke inhalation injury. Zinc levels may be able to predict prognosis and indicate the degree of lung damage. Our results will be useful both for the treatment of smoke inhalation injuries and as baseline information for future research in this area. thanks This work was supported by clinical research funding from the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. In addition, we thank HAO Feng-Ying, Wang Xiao-Qing, and other technicians in the pulmonary function testing room of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital for their contribution to this study. Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Ethical Statement: The name of the Ethics Committee: China PLA General Hospital Ethics Committee [S2014-011-01]. This study was conducted in accordance with the Amended Declaration of Helsinki. We obtained informed consent for the study from the patients and approved that this study was conducted in accordance with the Amended Declaration of Helsinki. We obtained informed consent for the study from patients and approved it by the Ethics Committee of China PLA General Hospital. references Uang KL, Chen CW, Chu SJ, et al. Systemic inflammation from inhalation of white smoke during combat practice. Breast 2008;133:722-8. [cross ref.] [PubMed] Chian CF, Wu CP, Chen CW, et al. Acute respiratory distress syndrome after zinc chloride inhalation: survival after extracorporeal life support and corticosteroid treatment. Am J Crit Care 2010;19:86-90. [cross ref.] [PubMed] S Homma, R Jones, J Qvist, et al. Pulmonary vascular lesions in adult respiratory distress syndrome caused by zinc chloride fume inhalation: a morphometric study. Hum Pathol 1992;23:45-50. [Cross ref.] [PubMed] Pettilä V, Takkunen O, Tukiainen P. Zinc chloride fume inhalation: a rare cause of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Intensive Care Med 2000;26:215-7. [cross ref] [PubMed] Hsu HH, Tzao C, Chang WC, et al. Lung injury from zinc chloride (smoke bomb) inhalation: clinical presentations, high-resolution CT findings, and pulmonary function test results. Breast 2005;127:2064-71. [cross ref] [PubMed] Gil F, Pla A, Hernández AF, et al. A fatal case after exposure to zinc chloride and hexachloroethane from a smoke bomb in a school fire simulation. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2008;46:563-5. [cross ref] [PubMed] Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, et al. Standardization of spirometry. Eur Respir J 2005;26:319-38. [Crossref] [PubMed] Wanger J Clausen JL Coates A et al. Standardization of the measurement of lung volumes. Eur Respir J 2005;26:511-22. [Crossref] [PubMed] N Macintyre, RO Crapo, G Viegi et al. Standardization of the single-breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake in the lungs. Eur Respir J 2005;26:720-35. [Crossref] [PubMed] Pellegrino R, Viegi G, Brusasco V, et al. Interpretation strategies for lung function tests. Eur Respir J 2005;26:948-68. [cross ref] [PubMed] Evans EH. Victims after exposure to zinc chloride smoke. Lancet 1945;2:368-70. [cross ref.] Matarese SL, Matthews JI. Lung injury from inhaling zinc chloride (smoke bomb). Chest 1986;89:308-9. [cross reference] [PubMed] Cite this article as: Cao L, Zhang XG, Wang JG, Wang HB, Chen YB, Zhao DH, Shi WF, Xie LX. Pulmonary function test findings in patients with acute smoke bomb inhalation injury. J Thorac Dis 2016;8(11):3160-3167. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2016.11.94

Grenades are powerful explosive devices with an average blast radius of 5 to 20 meters. The first grenades were used in Europe in the 16th century. Grenades are also a common part of the modern military arsenal. The military still use them, but can civilians buy grenades?

Civilians can purchase grenades if they acquire the necessary licenses and permits. Grenades are classified as a Title II weapon and must be registered with the ATF. Sellers require a Federal Firearms License (FFL) or Federal Explosives License (FEL), while buyers require a Federal Explosives Permit (FEP).

See Also: Can Civilians Buy Flashbangs?

How to legally buy a grenade?

Grenades are only available to those who have the required papers. Most types of grenades are classified as destructive devices and Title II weapons regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is responsible for overseeing the transfer of Title II weapons. Selling a grenade may require the following conditions:

Seller must hold a Federal Firearms License (FFL) or Federal Explosives License (FEL).

The grenade must be registered with the ATF as an NFA firearm

Buyers without an FFL or FEL must obtain authorization from local law enforcement

The buyer must pay the NFA transfer tax

Title II transfer requires filing of ATF Form 4, which also requires approval from a local law enforcement agency. The buyer’s local police department or sheriff’s office will conduct a background check and may deny the application for any reason.

In addition to federal requirements, civilians must check state requirements. California, Delaware and New York ban title II gun ownership. Some other states only allow Title II guns, which belong to the Curious and Relics category, which includes guns manufactured before 1899.

The government also imposes a $200 tax stamp on each transfer. Due to the high cost and lengthy application process, most civilians are unlikely to qualify to purchase grenades. Law enforcement officials are unlikely to authorize the sale of a hand grenade, and there are no verifiable reports of such transactions.

What types of grenades are Type II weapons?

Almost all types of shells used by the military are classified as explosives regulations and are considered Type II weapons under the Gun Control Act 1968. The US military divides grenades into several categories:

fragmentation

chemical

Offensive

Not deadly

smoke

Work out

Of these types of grenades, only training grenades are available on the consumer market. Practice grenades, or dummy grenades, are inert devices that do not explode. The interior is hollowed out and contains a timed fuse. After throwing the grenade, the fuse will make a small but audible pop.

Dummy grenades are modeled after real grenades and are commonly used in military training. Civilians can find practice grenades at a variety of online retailers and army stocks.

Smoke grenades designed for the military are regulated in the same way as standard hand grenades. Sellers and buyers require the necessary licenses and permits from ATF. However, several manufacturers make non-military smoke grenades.

Civilian smoke grenades are classified as fireworks or pyrotechnics. They are often called smoke bombs. The Enola Gaye smoke grenade is a popular model available to commoners.

In most parts of the United States and United Kingdom, civilians must be at least 18 years of age to purchase smoke bombs. However, large smoke bombs like the Enola Gaye are not legal in some regions, including Canada and the state of California.

Clearance Sale 255 Reviews Toy Essentials Green Pineapple Hand Grenades With Sound Effects – Pack of 4 Quantity: 4 Dark Green Pineapple…

Battery operated pineapple hand grenades…

Keep trigger and timer sounds for 8…

Can a civilian buy a grenade launcher?

A civilian is unlikely to get permission to buy a grenade launcher. Grenade launchers, like regular hand grenades, are classified as explosive devices. Civilians must submit documentation and obtain approval from their local law enforcement agency.

How much do grenades cost?

The most commonly used military hand grenade is the M67 grenade. The cost of a single M67 shell in 2021 was about $45. However, that’s the price the Department of Defense (DoD) is paying for the grenade.

Grenades on the black market cost around $100 each. The average cost of a legal grenade legally sold in the US is unknown as there are no online records from the ATF approving the sale of hand grenades.

related posts

Five photographers share their tips for creating the ultimate smoke bomb photos. Add color and texture to your photos with Smoke Bombs!

We spoke to five photographers who have experience with smoke bomb photography and asked them for their tips and ideas. See how these artists bring their paintings to life with plumes of smoke, vibrant colors and creative lighting!

Add vibrant colors to your images with smoke bombs

Smoke bombs come in a variety of colors. By mixing and matching tones, you can dramatically improve the color palette of any image. This series from Bruna Kitchen is a great example of how colorful smoke bombs can make subdued images pop.

Tips from Bruna kitchen photography

What do you and your customers love about these images?

Smoke bombs make all pictures and scenarios look so magical! They create a unique atmosphere for the shoot.

What are your top tips for smoke bomb photography?

Do not use smoke bomb indoors. Make sure the smoke bomb is not aimed at your client’s or model’s clothing. It can stain the outfits! Don’t place smoke bombs on dead grass. You can start a fire!

Amplify the romance

These images don’t need massive puffs of smoke to make an impact. Make your pictures dreamy and romantic with wafts of fog and fog-like layers of smoke.

Tips from Cait Fletcher Photography

What do you and your customers love about these images?

The color choice! Who doesn’t love a pop of color? In that one photo you’re about to see, the smoke even made a heart! It was destiny!

What are your top tips for smoke bomb photography?

1. Have spare smoke bombs. You should have enough in stock for all the photos you need!

2. Pay attention to the wind. Sometimes the wind can change and blow the smoke right in front of the subjects.

Smoke grenades tend to be pretty smelly – and they’re not healthy for your lungs! You may find it best to let the smoke evaporate for 10-20 seconds before placing your subjects in its path. At the very least, make sure the source itself isn’t too close to your customers.

The lighting makes these pictures even more fun!

Add in some off-camera flashes to create interesting shadows and shapes with your smoke! However, be careful not to use a camera flash fired directly at the smoke. It can bounce off thick clouds of smoke, completely obscuring your customers and smoothing the smoke texture appearance.

Tips from lavender bouquets photography

What do you and your customers love about it?

I think customers like them because it’s a newer trend and it’s a fun way to add a pop of color (or three) to an image. We like them because they are challenging! We use a lot of off-camera flash and the smoke diffuses the light, which can work for us or against us depending on the look we’re going for. Sometimes the photos turn out different than expected, but the result is always great!

What are your top tips for smoke bomb photography?

Buy from a reputable smoke bomb supplier. Read reviews on how long they last etc. Bring more than one smoke bomb as one of them could be a dud or they could burn out too quickly. Make sure your customers are okay with the fact that they might get some color from the smoke on their clothes. It’s best to wait until the end of a spin to blast the smoke bombs!

Create your own backdrop

Say goodbye to unsightly landscapes as you use smoke bombs to hide a hazy background. Be aware that most smoke bombs only last around 60 seconds, so be ready to fire the moment you have the look you want!

Tips from Chip Dizárd Studios

What do you and your customers love about these images?

We love that we can create a different background with two smoke colors!

What are your top tips for smoke bomb photography?

Bring an assistant. It’s hard to use smoke bombs alone! Make sure your assistant also knows how to use smoke bombs because you only get one chance. Choose a place that is not crowded. Smoke bombs attract a lot of attention, and you don’t need people looking through to see what’s going on!

Tell a stronger story

For particularly innovative story-based images, smoke bombs can lighten the mood and add drama. Combined with the right post-production, you have a finished photo that looks like it was shot on a film set.

Tips from Capture Wonder Photography

What are your top tips for smoke bomb photography?

Make sure your lighting and camera settings are perfect before detonating the smoke bomb. You only have 30-60 seconds to take the shots before the bomb goes off. Smoke is unpredictable and will waft between you and your subject. Instruct your subject to be aware of themselves and the camera. If they can’t see the camera, that means the camera can’t see them!

Additional tips on using smoke bombs for photography

Before you go ahead and try this for yourself, set some safety guidelines in place so you can avoid mishaps when undertaking this particular type of creative photography. As well as the great tips shared by experts above, here are some additional insights related to these sessions.

Find the right guy

There are two types of smoke bombs for photography: wire grenades and can grenades. Wire pull grenades are easier to use than canned goods, which require a lighter. Although wire draws can be a bit expensive, they deliver more smoke, allowing you to get multiple shots.

Since the choice may depend on your smoke bomb photography style, you can choose either one. Here are some specifics to note:

Burn Time: Choose a product that gives you 60 to 90 seconds of active smoke.

Density: The density of the smoke affects the opacity of your images. Determine if you need sheer or misty coverage, or a fuller, more opaque effect.

Activation: Do you want the easy way to pull a wire, or would you rather use a lighter to ignite it?

pro tip

Enola Gaye is the world’s most popular and safest option. For starters, you can use the Enola Gaye WP40 smoke grenade. Commercial photography professionals give this brand excellent reviews. Their products produce colored smoke that enhances effects for television, film, photography and events.

safety first

Smoke grenades are generally safe to use around humans, although the smoke can cause eye or throat irritation. And like any pyrotechnic device, smoke grenades are explosive. Since sparks can occur, keep them away from clothing to avoid staining and never point them directly at anyone.

Also, avoid storing them in damp spaces like basements. Moisture can cause malfunctions inside the device, which can also lead to an unexpected explosion.

Remember not to use these devices near flammable objects. This is why pros advise staying outdoors — indoor smoke bomb photo shoots are risky. Avoid naturally dry or arid environments, especially in summer and early fall.

bring water

We all know that grenades can create smoke flares that can ignite plants or combustible materials. That’s why you should treat these like fireworks and always bring a bucket of water to the shoot just to be prepared.

If the smoke grenade becomes clogged for any reason, it may burst and emit sparks. When this happens, drop it into a metal bucket and get away to a safe distance. You must also cool it down with water before disposing of it.

Check the weather forecast

Wind is a smoke grenade’s worst enemy. While a light breeze can accentuate the colorful smoke, anything stronger will quickly dissipate the smoke. Be prepared to reschedule and reschedule your shoot if the weather is less than ideal.

know the law

Some local governments have regulations on photographing smoke bombs to avoid fire hazards. Check with local authorities and municipalities and the fire department to see if you need a permit. Some public places, like national parks, do not allow smoke bomb photography.

Teach your subject how to use a smoke grenade

Safety first! It is important to teach your customers and team how to use and handle smoke bombs. If someone holds one up for a photo, give them instructions on what to do if it gets too hot or seems to be malfunctioning.

Angle the smoke grenade away from your body and point it down. After you set off the smoke grenade, a lot of smoke can pour towards the subjects’ faces, which can cause their eyes to temporarily water. Just set clear expectations and prioritize safety.

Instruct your customers to turn their faces away from the natural flow of smoke. Reassure them that it’s okay to move and that they can also move the smoke bombs to avoid blowing smoke in their faces.

Experiment with shutter speeds

Smoke bomb photography usually relies on a fast shutter speed. If you want to capture the details and puffs of smoke, set your shutter speed between 1/800 and 1/2500 (or higher). Adjust ISO and aperture to compensate for fast shutter speeds.

The smoke moves with the breeze, so fast shutter speeds capture a dramatic scene. If you want a softer, blurred look, try a slower shutter speed so the motion blur results in a surreal and soft look.

Experiment and be flexible

Don’t be frustrated if you don’t get the photo you were hoping for on the first try! Plan on some iterations so you have room for error as you experiment and try different things.

To save yourself from wasting whole bombs, plan compositions and poses in advance. Take test shots before your clients pull the cord to set your exposure and focus.

Leave your own photography smoke grenade tips in the comments below!

Share with the ShootProof community:

Which smoke bombs are best for photos?

What safety precautions should photographers take?

How did your customers react to their own smoke bomb pictures?

Written by ANNE SIMONE | With BRUNA KITCHEN PHOTOGRAPHY, CAIT FLETCHER PHOTOGRAPHY, LAVENDER BOUQUET PHOTOGRAPHY, CHIP DIZARD STUDIOS, CAPTURE WONDER PHOTOGRAPHY

You might also enjoy reading…

“Hand grenades” include many other devices in addition to live military weapons. What a hand grenade is often depends on the view of the court making the decision.

Hand grenades are regulated by the National Firearms Act (“NFA”), a federal law first passed in 1934 and amended by the Crime Control Act of 1968. The 1968 amendments made possession of “destruction devices”, which include grenades, illegal. (26 U.S.C. § 5801.) There is no doubt that a live hand grenade designed for military combat falls under the law – non-military are not allowed to possess it.

What is defined as a hand grenade?

While it is obvious that possession of military-style grenades is illegal, this is not so obvious when it comes to other items that could be classified as grenades under the law’s definition. What about a training device, a smoke bomb, or even a firecracker? In the face of these questions, the courts have come to contradictory conclusions.

What are “destruction devices”?

Under the NFA, the term “destruction device” encompasses three types of explosives or weapons:

Bombs, grenades, rockets, missiles and mines (and similar devices). Military shells fall into this category. It doesn’t matter how a defendant intends to use the device – mere possession is enough for a conviction. Any type of weapon, whatever its name, that ejects (or is easily converted) a projectile containing an explosive or other propellant (with a barrel bore greater than half an inch; certain shotguns may be exempt). As in Category 1, purpose is not relevant as mere possession is sufficient for a conviction. Any combination of parts designed or intended for use in converting a device into a destruction device as defined in (1) and (2) and from which a destruction device can be easily assembled. The term “destructive device” does not include a device that has not been designed or modified for use as a weapon (e.g., a commercially available stick of dynamite); or any device which, although originally designed for use as a weapon, has been modified for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, security or similar device.

The problematic part of the “destructive device” definition is the third definition. While devices in the first two categories don’t matter a person’s state of mind, the third doesn’t. Courts have come to conflicting conclusions as to whether the mental state of the accused plays a role when caught with a combination of components or an assembled device that could be used either innocently or for destructive purposes.

How do courts decide what a “destructive device” is?

Courts have taken three approaches to deciding whether an item or collection of items constitutes a destructive device, which would include a hand grenade. Whether a non-military “grenade” is actually a grenade for the purposes of the NFA is up to the court’s decision.

What matters is the intention of the accused

In one approach, some courts insist that prosecutors prove the defendant intended to use the device for illegal purposes. Under this approach, someone who designed the device or assembled the components would evade conviction unless the government could prove they intended to use the device for nefarious purposes.

For example, imagine a car that is pulled over and contains gas bottles and torn clothing. The driver says he wants to recycle the gasoline; The clothes are just garbage. Although the circumstances are suspicious, without further evidence the prosecutor probably would not be able to prove that these items are components that are converted into a destructive device (a Molotov cocktail).

The intention of the defendant is irrelevant

Most courts have not adopted the approach described above – the “subjective approach”. Instead, they focus on the language that “can be easily assembled”. That is, if the items could be assembled to produce a destructive device, the offense is complete, regardless of the defendant’s protestations that he had legal uses in mind.

For example, imagine a student who is assembling the parts needed for a homemade grenade but has no intention of using it – he is doing it for a science project. As long as all the parts are in place to craft a complete grenade, his benign plans will give him no defense. This “objective” standard turns the “combination of parts” theory into a strict liability theory, as is the case with possession of military weapons (category 1) and weapons that eject a projectile (category 2).

The objective standard, while seemingly harsh, can have some surprising results and leave defendants off the hook even if they intended to make a weapon. The objective approach will count unfixed commercial explosive dynamite as an ingredient since it is specifically excluded from the definition of a destructive device. If the defendant did not use the dynamite and actually assembled the gun, there is no destructive device and no conviction.

For example, a person caught with lots of sticks of dynamite, unattached fuses and primers, and stating that they want to help terrorists will not be convicted under the “objective” approach.

A better approach: Consider both intent and objective facts

As you can see, each approach outlined above has its drawbacks. The subjective approach requires prosecutors to delve into the suspect’s mind, even when the circumstances are overwhelmingly suspicious. The objective approach can lead to harsh consequences (the student and his ill-advised homemade grenade being convicted) as well as troubling escapes from liability on a formality (the dynamite owner described above). Some courts take a different approach.

Common sense works like this: The judge asks whether the device, in parts or assembled, has any innocent value – whether it is not a weapon. If the answer is no, then it’s the end – the subjective intention of the accused is not important. However, if harmless or legal use is possible, the subjective will of the accused is examined. His statements and the circumstances of the event can be used to prove an illegal motive or plan or an innocent one.

This mixed approach yields more satisfactory results for our scenarios above. The science student convicted under the objective approach would have the opportunity to prove that he had no intention of using the device or components in an illegal manner. And the terror accomplice would likely be convicted, because while his assemblage of dynamite, detonators, and primers could be used for harmless projects, his stated goal makes it clear he had no such plans in mind.

So… is it illegal to own a hand grenade?

The short answer is yes, if that’s military style, a live grenade. But folks who build gadgets themselves, or simply assemble the components that could become a grenade, can’t be sure that their items, self-assembled, will put them in legal hot water. The answer will depend on the federal court’s course of action in the area in which a prosecution could be initiated.

What penalty can you expect for using pyro in England? by C.S

The use of pyrotechnics in football matches is nothing new. Indeed, it has been a feature of clashes across the continents for many years, but in recent times it has become a hotly debated topic among English football authorities and fans.

Some fans will argue that it adds to the atmosphere and helps get crowds excited, while others point out the safety issues smoke bombs and fireworks cause. With more emphasis from clubs and the FA on banning their use on all English courses, what penalty can you actually expect if caught with them in your possession?

What law applies to smoke bombs and flares at soccer games?

Sporting Events (Alcohol Control etc.) Act 1985.

It is an offense for a person to enter or attempt to enter a soccer field while in possession of a flare, smoke bomb or firework. The penalty for these offenses can be up to three months in prison, and in many cases fans who have no criminal record are being sentenced to prison for attempting to enter a football pitch with a smoke bomb in their pocket while the courts are handing it down offenses very seriously.

There are two different offenses (1) possession of the ball on the soccer field; and (2) possession when attempting to intrude. Although attempting to enter a soccer field logically seems less punishable than a fan who managed to get the smoke bomb, flare or fireworks into the soccer field, in reality the courts do not consider any offense more serious than the other . Fans who were searched before entering the football field and found in possession of a firecracker, flare or smoke bomb were still sentenced to imprisonment.

What does “trying to enter a soccer field” mean?

The courts have ruled that “attempted entry” means much more than a person being searched at the turnstiles. Fans were sentenced to jail for carrying a smoke bomb in their pocket when exiting the train station closest to the football field or walking through the parking lot on their way to the football field. A court is likely to rule that a fan who is in possession of a ticket and is near the ground is “trying to break in”.

Is carrying a torch or fireworks more serious than a smoke bomb?

Although fireworks or a flare are considered more dangerous than a smoke bomb for most people, the courts don’t seem to distinguish between them. Fans were sentenced to three months in prison for carrying a smoke bomb without actually setting it down.

What are fireworks?

Even a sparkler falls within the definition of fireworks, as does firecrackers and anything else bearing a Firework Standard logo.

What is a smoke bomb?

Anything that gives off smoke or visible gas, even something homemade.

Will a conviction for possession of a firecracker, flare or smoke bomb result in a football ban?

It is very likely that the court will impose a football ban on a fan convicted of possessing a firework, flare or smoke bomb at a football match. Because of the nature of the offense, the prosecution can likely convince the court that it is a football-related offense and that it is necessary to issue the order to prevent the offense from happening again.

How long is the football ban in effect?

Most football bans imposed by a court following a conviction for a football-related offense are for 3 years. Not only does this prevent the fan from attending football matches for the next 3 years, it may also prevent them from entering their football team’s town on match days and force them to hand over their passport to the police if they are with the England or Wales national team play abroad (if applicable). A football ban will show up on a criminal record check and can prevent a fan from obtaining a visa to travel to countries like the US or to work in certain jobs such as B. Working with children. In addition, football clubs have issued lifetime bans to supporters convicted of possessing fireworks, flares or smoke bombs, meaning you can still be banned from your club after your football ban has expired.

Which law applies to the carrying of flares, smoke bombs and fireworks by persons under the age of 18?

The Fireworks Ordinance Act 2004

In addition to the above laws, it is also a criminal offense for a person under the age of 18 to carry fireworks in a public place. Smoke bombs carry the Firework Standard Label and are classified as fireworks. This applies not only to under-18s going to soccer games, but to anyone under 18s in public places like the park or downtown. Police can issue a fine of £80 to anyone under the age of 18 found in possession of a firework in a public place.

Is it illegal for an adult to carry a firecracker if they don’t go to a match?

No, it is not illegal for a person over the age of 18 to possess a firework, flare or smoke bomb, but it is illegal for a person over the age of 18 to set off the firework, flare or smoke bomb in a public place. A person over the age of 18 cannot by law be arrested for being in possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb, except when entering or attempting to enter a football match. For example, arresting a football fan at a gas station for possessing a smoke bomb in his car is an unlawful arrest unless the fan admits to the police officer that he intended to bring the fireworks, flare, or smoke bomb onto the football field later on this day.

Be warned, while fans may not think that having a smoke bomb or flare in your pocket is a serious offense, the police and football club take it very seriously, and even a fan with no criminal record is at risk of jail walk. Pass it on to your friends and other fans…

(Source: Football Supporters Federation)

Gender disclosure supplies

Posted on 11/01/2018

Are smoke bombs legal?

Yes, smoke bombs are legal, but there are places you can’t use them. Do not use on government property or anywhere fireworks are prohibited.

Are smoke bombs safe?

Yes, smoke bombs are considered safe when used properly. They will all bear a warning not to hold them in your hand. The smoke grenade gets hot. The heat gets higher as it gets closer to the end where the smoke is released.

Can you hold a smoke bomb?

They will all bear a warning not to hold them in your hand. The smoke grenade gets hot. The heat gets higher as it gets closer to the end where the smoke is released.

Pressure on a smoke bomb is very dangerous. Avoid applying pressure to a smoke bomb at all costs! That is, do not squeeze them tightly or wrap them tightly with tape, as this is very dangerous and can cause malfunctions.

Some people ignore the advice not to hold them. These people hold it lightly at the bottom of the smoke bomb to avoid putting pressure on the smoke grenade and handling the hot top half of the smoke stick.

Are colored smoke bombs poisonous?

The colored smoke bombs we sell are non-toxic. Other than that, it’s smoke, so don’t inhale large amounts of it.

Can you use smoke bombs indoors?

no Never use our smoke bombs indoors. They put out too much smoke and being locked in a room with that much smoke is never a good idea.

Related course: Fairy Tale Portraits

Smoke grenades or smoke bombs are a fun way to take stunning photos.

They’re affordable and colorful, and the theme will usually keep them up. You can also place them in a safe place to create vibrant foregrounds and backgrounds.

Using smoke grenades in your photos will take your skills to the next level. You will work with all sorts of colors while experimenting with surreal photography. And you’ll get better at capturing candid moments.

No matter what genre of photography you prefer, you’ll enjoy working with these creative little tools.

Read on for all the tips and tricks for using smoke grenades.

Smoke grenade tricks and safety tips

As funny as smoke grenades are, they are not entirely harmless. Handling a smoke bomb incorrectly can have dangerous consequences. These include suffocation or burning.

To avoid unwanted accidents when photographing smoke bombs, familiarize yourself with these tips:

Do not use smoke grenades when photographing children or animals;

Use smoke grenades when you want to photograph children or animals. Don’t take photos in very dry places;

Make sure the weather is mild on the day of your shoot. Too much rain or wind quickly ruins the smoke effect;

Some colors, like green, can clash with your subject and result in unflattering images. Buy different smoke grenades to avoid this.

Some colored smoke bombs will stain everything in their path. Keep this in mind when choosing your outfit;

Your model should not hold the smoke grenade too close to their face to avoid stains and burns.

Do not take photos in crowded or busy places and avoid flammable objects. Strangers might not appreciate being covered in smoke stains. And the last thing you want is to create an explosion;

If you need extra help holding multiple smoke grenades, bring an assistant.

Lastly, pour water over your smoke bombs after using them. This will ensure they don’t explode when you throw them away.

10 creative ideas for outstanding smoke grenade photos

Once you learn how to use a smoke grenade, you can take all kinds of vivid photos. These can represent people, objects or even landscapes.

If the endless possibilities seem overwhelming to you, start slowly. You can get inspiration from these ideas.

10. Take photos against a black background for a minimalist effect

If you’re shooting in colorful places, your smoke grenade might blend in and not stand out. To avoid this, photograph your subject against a neutral background.

I recommend using a black background to create an art photography feel. Black also emphasizes the contrast between your subject and the smoke. All without additional distractions.

You don’t need to own a professional studio to create a black background. It would be handy, sure, but not necessary. You can paint over a large piece of cardboard, use black fabric, or buy black poster board.

Your background may be large enough for your subject but not large enough for your entire frame. In this case, you can fill in the blanks in Photoshop.

9. Create a unique background of smoke grenades

If you don’t want to use a DIY background, you can create one using your smoke grenades.

For this approach to be successful, you must use at least two smoke bombs at once. Have someone hold a smoke bomb some distance away from your subject to create the background.

Let the smoke diffuse a bit to create an even background. Use your second smoke grenade a few seconds later.

Colored smoke backgrounds create interesting textures. And they hide background details that might be distracting.

If you’re shooting somewhere with uninspiring backgrounds, you’ll love this technique.

8. Create smoke resources to use in future projects

Smoke grenade photos don’t always have to show people, places or things. Photographing smoke alone gives you a wealth of unique results to use in future projects.

You can use photos of smoke to create double exposures or diptychs. Since smoke looks cool enough on its own, you can even share your raw results online.

Note: if you plan to create diptychs, take vertical photos. If you’re putting your resources into projects that don’t rely on orientation, you can shoot horizontally.

7. Use your smoke’s textures to create surreal images

Colored smoke looks magical. So it’s not surprising that many photographers use it to create conceptual and surreal images.

Surreal photography is about magical realism. Surreal images look like they were taken on other planets. Or as if they had been heavily Photoshopped (in the best way) to create fancy compositions.

Surrealism often relies on great Photoshop skills and professional props. But you can make your own surreal photos with the help of a simple smoke grenade.

To create moody atmospheres, take photos in places with atmospheric light. Atmospheric light includes reflected light, backlight and direct natural light.

6. Capture smoke coming from an object

If you want to create a conceptual image, put your smoke bomb inside an object. This creates an effect that is perfect for photo series and action shots.

It goes without saying that the object you use should be secure. A suitcase might not be the best option, despite its visual appeal.

If you want to recreate this look, I highly recommend doing it in post-production.

Photograph smoke in all possible lighting conditions against simple backgrounds like the sky or a DIY background. Then add the smoke photos to a variety of photos in Photoshop.

5. Improve your action photography skills by capturing moving smoke

Depending on the weather, smoke can be very unpredictable. Even on a calm day, it can move in different directions.

Colored smoke is much easier to see than white smoke. Use it as an opportunity to become a better action photographer.

With the wrong camera settings, your results will look blurry and uninteresting.

If you know what shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to use, you can get sharp photos in all sorts of places, especially busy ones. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings.

It also helps that smoke grenades last about a minute. You don’t have to worry about running out of time. Instead, you can focus on getting the perfect shot.

4. Create captivating portraits without revealing your subject’s face

Portrait photographers typically focus on facial features and expressions. But there are exceptions to this preference.

Faceless portraits don’t have to show your subject’s face at all. Like the image above, they can be mysterious or even spooky.

To make your anonymous portraits interesting to look at, use smoke grenades during your shoot.

Not only does this add a pop of color to your image, but it transforms a simple faceless portrait into a haunting work of art.

3. Or photograph silhouettes with smoke bomb photography

If haunting portraits aren’t your thing, combine silhouettes and smoke grenades instead.

To create a silhouette, have your subject stand in front of a bright light source. This can be a professional light, a simple desk lamp or even a flashlight.

If you don’t want her face to be identifiable, don’t use other light sources around her.

To make your model’s silhouette visible, use a smoke grenade behind it. This will prevent the smoke from obscuring their outlines. And it will create a vibrant background to work with.

2. If you love outdoor light, photograph smoke during the golden hour

Some photographers don’t like working with dark themes, and that’s okay. With smoke grenades you can create more than just atmospheric atmospheres.

Are you a photographer who loves natural outdoor light, dreamy atmospheres and portraits with soft backgrounds? Then you will love taking photos during the golden hour.

The golden hour occurs twice a day: just before sunset and just after sunrise. Because the golden hour is so soft, it can be used as a backlight, a side light, or even a direct light.

This makes it the perfect hour for smoke grenade experiments. If you combine colorful smoke with warm light, you get a lot of interesting photo opportunities.

1. Use smoke grenades to create a cinematic feel

If you enjoy watching movies and TV shows, you are probably interested in taking cinema photos. Cinematic images look like film stills.

Not only are they stretched or expanded to a specific format, they are also photographed in a specific way.

Fog, smoke grenades and beautiful landscapes are often used in cinematography.

Even if you only have access to smoke bombs, you can use them to create stunning movie compositions.

If you want to take it a step further, watch your favorite movies again. Look out for themes that might inspire you to use smoke grenades and recreate them.

Experiment with different genres, themes and locations.

If you’re a portrait photographer, try taking photos of an object surrounded by smoke. If you’re a landscape photographer, try working with professional models.

Conclusion

Smoke grenades can be used in a wide variety of locations and lighting situations.

Not only are they versatile, but they are also affordable and can be found almost anywhere. And are relatively safe to use if you’re aware of the rules.

You don’t need a lot of equipment to take photos you’re proud of. No matter what genre of photography you are in, you can use smoke grenades to take your photos to the next level.

All you need is your imagination, your camera, a subject and a colorful smoke bomb. Taking great photos has never been so easy!

signaling device

Smoke grenades used in demonstrations in Paris in 2008

British L83A1 smoke grenade manufactured in May 2008. This grenade has already been used.

A smoke grenade is a canister grenade used as a signaling device, a target or landing zone marking device, or a unit movement screening device.

Smoke grenades generally emit a much larger amount of smoke than smoke bombs, which are a type of firework usually started with an external fuse rather than a needle and are more complex. Smoke grenades often cost around $40 compared to smoke bombs, which can often cost as little as pennies. The term “smoke,” meaning to fake, bluff, or beat around the bush, comes from the military’s use of smoke grenades to disguise and conceal movement.

draft [edit]

Diagram and cross-section of an AN M18 smoke grenade

A typical design consists of a sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes at the top and one at the bottom to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited. The filler consists of 250 to 350 grams of colored smoke composition (mainly potassium chlorate, lactose and a dye) in virtually any color. White smoke grenades typically use hexachloroethane zinc and granular aluminum. The reaction is exothermic, and while remaining intact, smoke grenade casings often remain boiling hot for some time, even after the grenade has stopped emitting smoke. Although modern smoke grenades are designed not to emit fire or sparks directly, they remain a fire hazard and can ignite dry vegetation or combustible substances if used improperly.

Another type of smoke grenade is the bursting variety. These are filled with white phosphorus (WP), a pyrophoric agent that is rapidly dispersed into a cloud by an internal explosive charge. White phosphorus burns with a bright yellow flame and produces copious amounts of white smoke (phosphorus pentoxide). This type of smoke grenade is preferred for its ability to produce a very dense and near instantaneous cloud of white camouflage smoke compared to the more common solid filler grenades which emit a slower stream of smoke over a period of around 1 minute. For this reason, they are preferred for use in anti-tank grenade launchers on armored vehicles that require extremely fast stealth in the event they are attacked by laser-guided anti-tank missiles and need to retreat quickly.

Use [edit]

A purple flare smoke grenade used during a military training exercise

Smoke grenades are used for various purposes. The main application is the creation of smoke screens for concealing and signaling aircraft.

When movement (e.g. flanking maneuvers or retreat) is required, smoke grenades can be thrown before movement to provide a wall of visual distraction, reducing the accuracy of enemy fire and temporarily fooling them as to the location of the forces. The most common color for camouflage smoke is white or gray. With the advent of thermal imaging technology, which can detect troop movement through smoke screens, the latest smoke compositions now include a “multispectrum” component to render them IR opaque.[1]

Smoke grenades can also be used to signal aircraft. Because finding a target from above (especially in a dense forest canopy) can be nearly impossible, even with good radio contact, colored smoke grenades are often used to allow aircraft to spot them. Colored flare smoke grenades[2] are commonly used in CASEVAC and Close Air Support situations where quickly locating friendly ground forces is paramount. Common colors are red, yellow, green, and purple, and all use very bright dyes to increase the likelihood of being seen from above.

Other uses[ edit ]

Smoke grenades are functionally identical to many types of chemical grenades (such as CS grenades used to combat gas riots) and incendiary grenades (such as thermite grenades), which use a fuse to ignite a solid filler in a steel canister, which then slowly propels the products of combustion out through holes in the canister as the contents burn. However, the smoke grenade class is limited to signaling and concealment under the laws of war and is therefore not considered a weapon. Because the vast majority are non-explosive, they remain legal for civilian use and possession in most countries.

Because the basic design of a smoke grenade (a metal canister containing a substance that burns and emits smoke when ignited) is so simple, improvised devices are ubiquitous around the world. Protesters, football spectators and airsoft enthusiasts often make their own smoke grenades from common materials.

Smoke grenades by country[edit]

M18 Colored smoke grenade with purple smoke fill.

Diagram and cross-section of the M18 colored smoke grenade (yellow smoke fill shown).

Smoke rising from an M18 colored smoke grenade with green smoke fill.

The M18 Colored Smoke Grenade is a US Army grenade used as a surface-to-surface or surface-to-air signaling device, a target or landing zone marker device, or a screening device for unit maneuvering.

history [edit]

The M18 was developed in 1942 during World War II and completed in November of that year. It was intended to replace the M16 smoke grenade, which didn’t burn as long and didn’t burn as vividly. It was designated Standard Edition in the fall of 1943. Both were produced at the same time as the M16 production lines were already being established when the M18 was introduced. The M16 was available in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and black. The M18 was originally going to be made in the same colors, including white, but it was decided to limit it to four colors (red, yellow, green and purple) for the sake of simplicity. The M16 was declared restricted standard in 1944 but was still available when declared obsolete in the early 1990s.

The violet colored smoke grenade was used in the theater because of its vivid color; previously it was only used for training in the United States. Its smoke was more toxic than the other color blends and was removed from inventory after the end of the Cold War in the 1990s.

The green colored smoke grenade was still used in Southeast Asia because the jungle undergrowth was a different color and would still stand out against it. It was discovered that the green smoke drove away swarming bees [citation needed].

When a ground element was emitting smoke to identify its location for aircraft, the aircraft was not told the color, it was identified the color it saw. This prevented the VC/NVA from popping smoke of the same color to confuse the aircraft while monitoring the frequency. For added security, the colors were sometimes identified as cherry (red), lime (green), lemon or banana (yellow), or grape (purple).

Model 18 Colored Smoke Grenade Color/Markings: Olive green body with a pale green band and markings, the top is painted red, yellow, green or purple to indicate the smoke color and the name of the color on the side.

In World War II, the M18 had a light gray body with a yellow band and markings and the top was smoke colored.

Body: Sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes at the top and one at the bottom to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited. Igniter Assembly: M201A1 pull-ring igniter. A “mousetrap” type fuze with a delay of 1.2 to 2.0 seconds. The ignition ignites the filler material and expels it from the grenade body. Bulking agent: 11.5 ounces (326 grams)[1] of colored smoking blend. Available in red, green, yellow or purple. Weight: 19 ounces (539 grams) [1] Security Clip: No. Range: Can be thrown 35 meters (115 feet) by an average soldier. Duration: The grenade creates a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds (0.85-1.5 minutes).

Potential danger[ edit ]

Both the white AN-M8 and the colored M18 pose a risk of fire when used in a dry environment. Spent smoke grenade canisters will remain hot for some time after they have burned out and should not be picked up with bare hands.

The smoke is harmful if inhaled for a long time; New smoking mixtures are being developed that are less toxic. In enclosed spaces, smoke displaces oxygen and can cause respiratory or oxygen deprivation.

Media usage[edit]

The use of purple M18 smoke grenades can be seen during the “Purple Haze” scene in the film Apocalypse Now (1979).

See also[edit]

References[ edit ]

We bring color to your photoshoot, we bring film and TV to life, we bring unparalleled visual effects to your festival and we make it so easy you’ll wonder why you’ve never tried Enola Gaye products. We don’t expect everyone to be pyrotechnics experts, so we’ve designed our products to be super easy to use and safe for everyone around.

We understand you have a number of questions, and we’re here to clear the air and enable you to get on with what you’re good at.

For a more detailed risk assessment, see our Pyrotechnic Risk Assessment Guide here.

We’ll start with the most common question…

Can Enola Gaye smoke handheld?

After lighting, you should put the smoke on the ground away from combustible materials.

Pulling the ring will ignite the product, smoke will start coming out from the top of the product. Sparks may be released, hot ash may also be released throughout the product’s operation, this is unusual but should be taken into account.

The device heats up due to the function of the product. Internally you have a small amount of compound that burns; During its function, the product becomes warm.

can you breathe the smoke

Enola Gaye smoothies are designed for use in close proximity to people, but you cannot inhale the smoke and apply to all types of smoke. You can be in the smoke, but any smoke can cause breathing difficulties, especially when people have asthma.

The colored smoke produced is not known to be toxic, therefore it is not toxic and you can be in and around the smoke but avoid inhaling the smoke if possible.

Enola Gaye is the leading designer of colored smoke for all industries, particularly the leisure, film and photography worlds. If you use colored smoke around people, make sure it is our products. We develop our products down to the last particle of air so you can be assured that our colored smoke is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic; We cannot give recommendations for other brands of smoke.

Does the smoke stain clothes?

Yes, it can rub off if held close to the material. We do not advise using our incense products close enough to stained material as this would also pose a fire hazard. According to our tests, materials within 2 meters of the smoke nozzle can be contaminated by the smoke color.

Particulate Stains: If you fill the air with enough colored smoke, you will start to see a colored dust settling near the working device, usually only if it is working inside or a lot of products have been used. This does not normally stain property but can be seen on fine materials that are white or very light colored (like a wedding dress). We do not offer any compensation in this regard.

Does the smoke stain property?

After one of our smoking devices has worked, there will be a spot on the floor where the smoke came out of the pipe. This discoloration will wash off over time, the dyes we use in our incense products are water based. We do not offer any guarantee that surfaces will not become permanently soiled, there is always a risk of surfaces becoming soiled.

See also particle coloring above.

Where can we use the smoke without getting into trouble?

Realistically, once you have obtained permission you can use them anywhere, our smoking products are not illegal to the general public. However, always respect the environment in which you intend to use them. Do not use indoors unless it is well ventilated and EVERYONE in the building is aware that the product is being overused. It’s easy to create panic and you’ll end up on the wrong side of the law. Use the bullet points below to assess whether you can use them in your chosen location.

• Ensure good ventilation

• If in a public area, get permission

• Never use smoking products around animals unless it is a well managed project

• Always watch out for drifting smoke; lots of smoke drifting across the streets can lead to accidents

• Never in sports stadiums unless approved by the venue

Should we inform the local fire brigade or police when using EC smoke products?

Depending on how much you will be using, you should consider telling local authorities of your intentions. Material Safety Data Sheets are available upon request from Enola Gaye; Local governments often require this for events where many products are used, but this is usually unnecessary paperwork. If you need more information, see our full risk assessment here.

Use your common sense, people panic easily, and using our white or black smoke, it’s easy to alarm people. Colored smoke is usually considered colored smoke only.

Can we take pyrotechnics on planes?

NO NEVER, you end up in a small room rather than on your dream flight. Pyrotechnics are easily spotted in X-rays and by sniffer dogs, don’t even try to take pyrotechnic products on planes. If you have used pyrotechnic products and are about to board a plane, we recommend that you take a good shower and change your clothes as the odor can be detected during security checks.

How do we transport pyrotechnics and smoke bombs?

Always transport our products in the UN marked box in which they were delivered to you. Keep the box locked until you need to use the products. You can find out more about this and how to store the product here.

If you have purchased multiple products in bulk, keep them in a dry, safe place away from sources of ignition.

We have a shooting abroad, what is the best way to get the products there?

We have shops, retailers and distributors across Europe, Canada and the US so you can usually have them shipped to your location. We do not recommend you to travel abroad with our pyrotechnics. Search the internet for local dealers under our brand name “Enola Gaye” or “Wire Pull Smoke”.

Hopefully this has answered your questions about what, when and how can we use smoke bombs?

It’s easy to make a smoke bomb and actually pretty safe, but when you read about projects online it’s hard to tell which ones are safe, as in “you probably won’t die or poison yourself” and which ones fall into the “me” category “ fall. I would let my own kids do this”. In general, it is safe for teenagers to make smoke bombs under adult supervision, while younger explorers need direct adult supervision.

KEY FINDINGS: Smoke Bombs Homemade smoke bombs are made from potassium nitrate and sugar, both of which are found in foods. Although not intended for consumption, they are largely non-toxic.

Some smoke bomb recipes require the ingredients to be cooked, which involves the risk of fire or smoke. Smoke bombs don’t explode.

Adult supervision is recommended.

What are some security aspects of the project? This reader email addresses the important questions:

My 13 year old son wants to make a homemade smoke bomb (with adult supervision). Before doing this chemistry experiment at home, I want to be sure that it can be done safely.

What are the risks/potential dangers associated with this procedure? Is there a risk of the smoke bomb exploding or igniting quickly? Under which circumstances? What should we pay attention to?

And where is the best place to buy a small amount of potassium nitrate? Is it still available in most garden stores? Some stump removers use different chemicals; and some list no ingredients at all. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Smoke bombs are made by reacting potassium nitrate (saltpetre) with sugar over low heat. The project won’t harm your cookware, and the ingredients are safe enough that you can use the dishes you would use for dining, as long as you clean them. The MSDS for potassium nitrate gives details on handling and safety, but I’ll summarize the relevant points. Although potassium nitrate is found in some foods, you should not eat the pure powder. It is reactive and will cause itching and/or burning if you inhale it or get it on your skin. Potassium nitrate should be stored away from heat or flame. The chemical is non-flammable but extremely reactive. Heat encourages reactions that you don’t want on a shelf in your garage, for example. Observe the safety instructions on the container. If it gets on your skin, wash it off with water immediately. If you spill potassium nitrate on the counter while making the smoke bomb, wipe it up with water.

You want good ventilation when heating the ingredients, like from a ventilated fan. An outdoor cooker would be a good option. The big thing to watch out for is spilling the mixture on the burner as it will catch fire and smoke. If this happens, you will get a lot of smoke and will likely set off your smoke alarm. The smoke itself is no more or less dangerous than wood smoke, which means you shouldn’t inhale it deeply. Ignite the smoke bomb outdoors. I can’t think of a scenario where it would be possible to detonate the smoke bomb. How much flame you get depends on the ratio of potassium nitrate to sugar. They can go from a smoky blob that barely burns to a fast burning fiery smoke bomb. If you place the smoke bomb on a flammable surface (like dried leaves), it could start a fire. If you need to put out the smoke bomb, you can douse it with water.

The hardest part about making a smoke bomb is finding the potassium nitrate. In some places, it can be sold alongside Epsom salts in the pharmacy section of a store. It can be found in some garden centers as a fertilizer. It is sold as a food preservative for making salted meat. If you are highly motivated and have some time, you can even prepare it yourself. However, it’s probably easiest to buy a small quantity online (e.g. Sargent-Welch). Supposedly, some Indian grocery stores sell it as an ingredient called kala nimak. If you are in the UK, search online for a list of places that offer potassium nitrate. It’s harder to find than in the past, less because it can be used to make gunpowder and more because there are better products available for most uses.

Sources

Moldoveanu, SC (November 1998). Analytical pyrolysis of natural organic polymers. Elsevier. pp. 152, 428. ISBN 9780444822031.

Turnbull, Stephen (2004). Ninja AD 1460 – 1650 ([3rd Dr.] ed.). Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84176-525-9.

Power washing is another method that The Maids says works really well for all types of stains, including fireworks stains. It’s also a good solution when other areas of the sidewalk or driveway are already dirty; This way you can get rid of all those dark spots and discolorations in one cleaning session. Read the instructions on your pressure washer or rental pressure washer before using it as some are quite powerful and can damage concrete or even cause injury if used improperly.

Start on the lowest setting with a nozzle designed for driveway cleaning if yours has multiple nozzles. Spray the stained area by gently moving the spray wand back and forth as if you were hosing down the pavement. If you’ve never used a pressure washer before and are concerned about leaving a mark, try it on a less conspicuous area first. The pressure washer will also remove years of dirt, stains from leaves, and other substances that can stain the concrete, so you may have lighter areas after the pressure washer. If this happens, pressure wash the entire slab or even the driveway to achieve a uniform appearance.