This project was designed to determine the effect of the flash of atomic detonations at night upon the ability of military personnel to carry out their assigned tasks when such tasks involve the use of vision. It is considered that in general three types of visual tasks are involved in military operations: (a) reading of instruments in ships, aircraft, tanks and vehicles; (b) central acute vision at low levels of illumination; (c) peripheral vision at very low levels. After an atomic flash each individual involved in such military visual tasks would attempt to return to seeing under the light level then available to him. The time required for him to see under each of these circumstances was determined. Subjects were located approximately 10 miles from the detonation point. They were dark adapted in a light-tight trailer. Their eyes were exposed to the atomic flash by a shutter arrangement. Some eyes were protected by a redfilter and some eyes were unprotected. The red filter was chosen because it selectively filters the high short-wave content of the early part of the detonation and because individuals wearing it can see red lighted instruments in vehicles, ships, tanks and aircraft.


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    Title :

    Operation SNAPPER, Nevada Proving Grounds, April-June 1952, Project 4.5, Flash Blindness


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1953


    Size :

    29 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English