Humanitarian demining, Humanitarian Mine Action, IED, Mines, Andy Smith, AVS, PPE




This website is an information resource for Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). Its content reflects my personal experience. Andy Smith (AVS). While writing this I have been restrained by a desire not to drive donors away from demining, but I have still been too honest for some. Being outspoken has not prevented me having been given contracts with government agencies and ministries, the UN, International NGOs, national NGOs, commercial demining companies and prestigious Universities on several continents - at the same time as working alongside the people who actually do the work, obviously. The views expressed here do not represent those of any of the people or organisations I have worked with... or not the views that they make public.
GICHD - still not fit for purpose? The sad demise of International Standards Evidence Based Field Risk Management (a paper asking for honesty in this industry) Comparing manual demining methods What is Humanitarian Mine Action and how does it differ from military demining? Essential safety data missing Three failings of the ICBL The RAT scam - assessing the use of rats as detectors Land Release - double standards and false confidence Why not chase efficiency? IEDs in Humanitarian Mine Action How to become a deminer? Landmines and HMA glossary Site index For detailed reports on accidents in which deminers have detonated an explosive hazard as they work, see the Database of Demining Accident victims at DDAS online. These reports are often snapshots of demining activity and can help you to understand the varied processes involved, and the varied risks associated with them. See also the accident case studies under Powerpoint downloads. If you are a newcomer to HMA, I suggest that you start with the introduction to demining and then read Myths about mines and demining. I hope that sharing information on this website will reduce the number of 'cowboy' operators at all levels in the demining community, from researcher to hands-on deminer. Many thanks to Craig and Hum Relyea in the USA who gave me this site in 2002. And thanks to the late Hans Georg Kruessen who awarded me the above sculpture in recognition of my work in demining. It is made from recycled assault rifles. While I am no kind of knight, I do wear armour, like horses, and I advocate using long handtools. I also believe in tilting at the odd establishment windmill, of course. About Andy Smith	Past caring Clicking above leads to a lengthy summary of my work in humanitarian demining. Sometimes critical, it uses parts of a longer (and much funnier) book that I may yet publish. See also: Developing safer hand tools Developing body armour for demining Developing face and eye protection Area Preparation Machines Black Adder disrupters The Database of Demining Accidents My work on PPE in HMA I added this section to record what I have done in developing HMA PPE. I hope it will inspire others to do better. Powerpoint downloads This link leads to a collection of powerpoint slide shows and scripts on a range of topics, including IEDs, risk management and accident case studies. Very pictorial, these are probably the most 'entertaining' parts of this site. Introducing humanitarian demining (for newcomers) This page leads to step-by-step explanations of what humanitarian demining is. These are simpler than the Global SOPs, so may be a better introduction for newcomers. Global SOPs for HMA Previous versions of these SOPs have been widely downloaded and adapted. Users should study the latest versions and edit them to fit the needs in their context/country. I recommend not bothering to try to use the IMAS terms and definitions because they are often confused and internally contradictory. Eight Global SOP chapters are available as .pdf or .doc files through the introductory page. Some can be accessed as PDF files here: Chapter 6: Search & Clearance Chapter 7: IED Search & Clearance Chapter 8: Mechanical demining Chapter 9: Use of MDD (EDD) Chapter 10: Use of SUA (UAV, drones) Chapter 14: Risk management in HMA The full set of old 'Generic SOPs' is available here. Issues and comment This page leads to 37 detailed answers to questions. A few are listed below. Do free-running search dogs work? Is demining happening in Iran? Is it safe to use rakes to find mines? How can I dig up mines safely? Is it safe to use handheld magnets? Articles, papers and books PPE development and needs in HMA Black Adder disrupters Small Unmanned Aircraft in HMA Seeking cooperation between field and research The way forward for R&D Is it safe to prod for mines? Mined area Indicators – Angola EHRE Resource Kurdistan / Iraq Metal-detector handbook for HD Using accident records for training Why military demining is not HD Myths, mines and demining Landmines, submunitions, etc Featured in recorded accidents AP blast mines AP Fragmentation mines AT mines Submunitions Explosive (HE) in mines HSE mines
© 2002 - 2025 Andy Smith, AVS, Humanitarian Mine Action specialist