Bang Goes The Theory is a new BBC show which is already gaining a cult following for its off-the-wall approach to science. A few weeks ago, the team built their own vortex ring cannon capable of knocking down a brick wall; this week they aimed to "defeat the U.S. Navy's latest weapon" using home-made technology.
The "weapon" in Bang Goes The Theory was a sonic blaster similar to the Long Range Acoustic Device(LRAD) used by the US Navy and others. This generates a narrow beam of intense sound. It can be used as a loudhailer, or it can produce a jarring warning signal. At high intensity, it can be physically painful; in the first test, the presenter is stopped two hundred yards away. (The program never drops the name LRAD, so I suspect there were either legal issues or this is an LRAD-lookalike.)
Presenter Dallas Campbellset out to defeat the acoustic device using some advanced soundproofing, constructing a double-glazed helmet and a foam rubber shield. How well did it work? Watch the video hereor hereto find out.
This is just the latest in a long line of techniques aimed at foiling non-lethal crowd control weapons. Ever since police and security forces started using non-lethal weapons for crowd control, people have been looking for ways to counter them, trying everything from onions, tinfoil and Viagra.
Take tear gas, which has been around in various forms since the First World War and has been a regular feature of demonstrations from Seattle to Tehran to Khartoum. Experienced protesters expecting a blast of tear gas bring eye protection in the form of goggles and use a bandanna soaked in water or vinegar as an improvised gas mask. Real pros bring actual gas masks. An alternative approach is to use onion juice, which allegedly reduces the effect, a technique which is used everywhere from Israel to Iran.
As crowd-control weapons proliferate, so do the ideas for how to stop them. Danger Room looked at Thor's range of Taser-proof clothing(jackets, gloves, even hats) and the idea that you could block the Active Denial System "pain beam" with tin foil. Although the ADS is simply a beam of microwaves, you need 100% full body coverage to be effective, as even a small area uncovered will produce enough pain for what the enthusiasts like to call "the repel effect."
Laser dazzlers are likely to be countered with dark goggles or visors. And then there are new strobe weapons, such as the LED Incapacitator(misleadingly called the "puke saber": It might nauseate you, but it has not actually caused vomiting in tests). A few years ago, Andrew Stockman of the Institute of Ophthalmology in London showed that 100 mg doses of Viagra reduced the sensitivity to flickering lights, opening the possibility that a few blue tablets might give protection against strobe weapons. (David checked with Dr. Stockman, who was doubtful there would be enough of an effect for Viagra to serve as a defense, but we're willing to let him be our guinea pig. -- Ed.)
However, all of these approaches suffer from the same fundamental drawback. Non-lethal devices are not used in isolation, and much of the time their main purpose it to separate the harmless protesters or civilians from the hardcore troublemakers. Anyone who turns up wearing a tinfoil suit, gas mask and visor is -- in the eyes of the police or security forces -- looking for trouble and is likely to get it.
As Capt. Jay Delarosa, spokesman for the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate, told me: “If an individual makes extensive efforts to counter the effect of a non-lethal system, then they are likely showing hostile intent and an escalation of force may be warranted based on existing rules of engagement.”
In other words, if a Taser doesn’t bring you down, they will try shooting you with something else. Better bring a bullet-proof vest as well.
[Photo: BBC]
See Also:
- Acoustic “Device” or Acoustic Weapon? (Updated)
- Sonic Blaster Nails Me
- Sonic, Pain Weapons All Wrong for Pirate Fight (Updated)
- Pain Beam to Get Tougher, Smaller, More Powerful
- Army Orders Pain Ray Trucks; New Report Shows 'Potential for Death ...
- Blackwater Drops Tear Gas Grenades on Iraqis
- DR Book Club: Taking Aim at 'Non-Lethal' Weapons
- Taser-Proof Body Armor?
