Explosive Booby Traps: Basic Operations

0l$0llNl8.
The ZSDW, WetPaint, and AlexHigginbotham cannot be held
responsible for the misuse or abuse of any of the information presented
in this article. This article is for educational purposes only and the
information should never be applied by anyone at any time. Most of this
information is copyrighted by the United States Department of Defense
and does not belong to AlexHigginbotham, ZSDW, or Wetpaint.

11l81l08.
If you ever decide to set a booby trap or come across one in your traveIs,
remove or disarm it when you no Ionger intend to use it. There are stiII
pIaces in the worId where dying to an oId war mine is stiII a Iegitimate
concern. PIease take aII measures to prevent harm to innocent peopIe. You
wouId want them to do the same for you.


INTRODUCTION

Q: Why are booby traps useIul in a survival environment?

A: Everyone sees a booby trap as a method oI killing Ior maiming someone, which isn't always the
case. Booby traps can be used as alarms, a method or hunting, deIense oI an area, practical jokes, or as
a Iear tactic to divert would be assailants. BT's could very well ensure the saIety oI you and all your
gear in the event that you are put in a liIe or death situation.

Q: Are BT's legal to use?

A: The easy answer is no. The complicated answer is, sort oI. Let me explain.

II you set up a BT that has the potential to injure or kill, even on your own property, you will be liable
Ior the damage caused to any individuals or their property even iI the intruder is committing a crime.
II you rig a bag oI hammers over one oI your windows and someone breaks into your home with the
intent to rape your wiIe, skin your children, and torture you to death, you will be liable Ior any
damages caused to said intruder in the event that he triggers the trap. Stupid? Yes. That's just how the
United States judicial system works.

I said beIore that there was a possibility oI BT's being legal, and I was telling the truth. BT's can be
legally used in warIare, but the Geneva Convention strictly governs how they can be used. The
Iollowing is quoted Irom the Geneva Convention.

"Without prejudice to the rules oI international law applicable in armed conIlict relating to treachery
and perIidy, it is prohibited in all circumstances to use:
a. any booby-trap in the Iorm oI an apparently harmless portable object which is speciIically designed
and constructed to contain explosive material and to detonate when it is disturbed or approached, or
b. booby-traps which are in any way attached to or associated with:
1. internationally recognized protective emblems, signs or signals;
2. sick, wounded or dead persons;
3. burial or cremation sites or graves;
4. medical Iacilities, medical equipment, medical supplies or medical transportation;
5. children's toys or other portable objects or products specially designed Ior the Ieeding, health,
hygiene, clothing or education oI children;
6. Iood or drink;
7. kitchen utensils or appliances except in military establishments, military locations or military
supply depots;
8. objects clearly oI a religious nature;
9. historic monuments, works oI art or places or worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual
heritage oI peoples;
10. animals or their carcasses.
It is prohibited in all circumstances to use any booby-trap which is designed to cause superIluous
injury or necessary suIIering."

II you can abide by those laws and guidelines, you can legally use BT's. In the event oI a national,
local, or global state oI emergency, I would be more worried about someone trying to rob or kill me
than someone arresting me. The choice is yours to make, but I implore you to use good judgment
beIore deciding to use BT's.

Q: How many diIIerent types oI BT's exist?

A: The possibilities are only limited to your imagination. This is one oI the Iew times where the
phrase you were Ied as a child, "II you can dream it, you can do it" applies.
BOOBY TRAP 101
A BT consists oI a main charge, Iiring device, standard base (not always used), and a detonator.
Another item, the universal destructor, is an adapter Ior installing a Iiring device assembly in a loaded
projectile or bomb to make an improvised BT. Also, Iiring device assemblies are oIten attached to the
main charge by means oI a length oI detonating cord. Knowledge oI how to make or having access to
explosives greatly improves the eIIectiveness oI a BT, as most examples listed in this guide require
explosives oI some sort.
A BT Iiring chain is a series oI initiations beginning with a small quantity oI highly sensitive
explosives and ending with a comparatively large quantity oI insensitive explosives.


TRIGGER 101
There are many methods oI triggering a BT. You can use your imagination to come up with new
ideas, but here are a Iew that have been widely used in uniIormed warIare.

1. Pressure
I.E. Weight oI Ioot starts explosive action

2. Pull
I.E. LiIting the souvenir starts explosive action

3. Pressure release
I.E. Moving the stone starts explosive action

4. Tension release
I.E. Raising lower window starts explosive action

Now that we know the methods oI setting up our trigger, we can discuss the diIIerent types oI triggers
that can be universally used Ior any method oI setting our BT.

1. Electric
I.E. Removal oI wedge between contacts closes circuit and Iires electric cap

2. Mechanical
I.E. Released striker, driven by it's spring, Iires percussion cap

. Pull friction
.E. Pulling the chemical pellet through the chemical compound causes flash that
fires the detonator

4. Pressure Iriction
I.E. Pressure on top oI the striker Iorces its cone shaped end into the phosphorus and
glass mixture in the mating sleeve, causing a Ilash that Iires the detonator

5. Chemical
I.E. Pressure on top breaks the vial, Ireeing the sulIuric acid to mix with the Ilash powder,
producing a Ilame that Iires the detonator.

6. Chemical delay
I.E. Crushing the ampule releases the chemical to corrode the retaining wire, Ireeing the
striker to Iire the detonator. The delay is determined by the time needed Ior the chemical
to corrode the retaining wire.


MATERIALS REQUIRED
Now that you have the knowledge oI the components required to make a Iunctioning explosive BT,
we can discuss the rare materials required Ior making your BT work. As mentioned in the disclaimer,
this is Ior educational purposes only and no one should try to make or use any oI these compounds
under any circumstances, ever.
EXPLOSIVES TO AVOID!
The Iollowing list oI explosives have been Iound by proIessionals to be overly dangerous
to be created in a Iield environment. Avoid these compounds at all costs.

1. Ammonia hydroxide iodine: EXTREMELY impact sensitive. Can detonate due to loud
noises.
2. Ammonium nitrate any chlorate: May spontaneously ignite. Spark and Iriction sensitive.
3. Ammonium nitrate copper powder: May spontaneously ignite. Friction sensitive.
4. Nitrosugars: EXTREMELY likely to spontaneously detonate.
5. Potassium chlorate aluminum: EXTREMELY spark and Iriction sensitive.
6. Potassium chlorate magnesium: EXTREMELY spark and Iriction sensitive.
7. Potassium chlorate red phosphorus: May spontaneously ignite. EXTREMELY spark and
Iriction sensitive.
8. Potassium chlorate sugar: EXTREMELY spark sensitive. Static electricity will ignite it.
9. Potassium chlorate sulIur: May spontaneously ignite. EXTREMELY spark and Iriction
sensitive.
Glossary:
u.b.w -- Units by weight
p.b.w -- Parts by volume. Only listed when all chemicals used are liquid.

SULFURIC ACID
Used Ior chemical triggers
ITEMS NEEDED
O Dead car battery
O Cutting tool (saw, sharp kniIe, etc.)
O Filter paper
O Acid-resistant container
O Glass pan (optional)
PROCEDURE
1. Remove the top oI the car battery.
2. Pour the contents oI the power cells into the acid-resistant container. Small bits oI lead will
most likely be present in the solution, so under these circumstances the Iluid needs to be poured
through the Iilter paper. The now Iiltered solution is sulIuric acid.
3. (OPTIONAL) II you wish to increase the concentration oI the sulIuric acid, the acid can be
poured into a glass pan and boiled under very low heat. Highly concentrated sulIuric acid will pour
slightly Iaster than clean motor oil.

ACETONE PEROXIDE
Used as a main charge
Initiate charge with spark
There is relatively little inIormation readily available on acetone peroxide. The material is a
reasonably eIIective primary explosive, however, it is highly volatile. Because oI its volatile
properties, it should always be store in an airtight container.

ITEMS NEEDED
O Hydrogen peroxide (6 solution)/25.5 u.b.w---25 p.b.v
O SulIuric acid/2.25 u.b.w---1.25 p.b.v
O Acetone/12 u.b.w---15.15 p.b.v
O Water
O Ice
O Salt
O 1 acid-resistant container
O Large pan
O Glass thermometer
O Filter paper
O Stirring rod (glass or ceramic)
PROCEDURE
1. Pour the acetone into the acid-resistant container.
2. Gently stir the hydrogen peroxide into the acetone.
3. Fill the pan with a mixture oI ice, water, and a little salt. Place the container with the
acetone/peroxide mixture into the pan oI ice water and cool the mixture to 41*F(5*C). A Ireezer may
be used instead oI the ice water bath.
4. While continuing to cool the mixture, slowly (1 drop every 10 seconds) stir the sulIuric acid
into the acetone/peroxide mixture. This will cause the temperature oI the mixture to rise. II the
mixture approaches 50*F(10*C), stop adding sulIuric acid and continue stirring until the mixture
cools to 41*F(5*C).
5. AIter the last oI the sulIuric acid has been added, continue to stir the mixture Ior 5 minutes.
6. The mixture must be allowed to stand in a cold place Ior 24 hours. The mixture may be leIt in
the ice bath or placed in a reIrigerator Ior this time period.
7. Crystals oI acetone peroxide will settle out oI the mixture. Filter these crystals out oI the
mixture using the Iilter paper.
8. Slowly pour 5 u.b.w oI COLD water over the crystals to wash away impurities.
9. To dry the material, place the acetone peroxide in an acid-resistant container and set the
container in a pan oI hot, 176*(80*C) water. WARNING: This material is a primary explosive---
handle very gently.
10. Store in an acid-resistant/airtight container.
AMMONIUM POWDER
Used as detonation or booster charge
Initiate charge with blasting cap, squib, or Iuse
This explosive contains ammonium nitrate and thereIore must not be allowed to come in contact with
copper or brass. Ammonium powder can be used as both a high and low explosive. When used as a
high explosive, a booster charge oI at least 500g (1 lb.) should be used. Also, when this material is
used as a high explosive, it should not be tightly packed, as this makes the material very diIIicult to
detonate. Lastly, the Iiner the ammonium nitrate and charcoal are powdered, the better the explosive
will work.

ITEMS NEEDED
O Ammonium nitrate/8.5 u.b.w
O Wood charcoal/1.5 u.b.w
O 1 container(heat OR acid-resistant OR plastic)
O 1 wooden stirring rod
PROCEDURE
1. Powder the ammonium nitrate. Use any convenient method. Crushing it between bricks
works Iairly well.
2. Powder the charcoal. The same method can be used as with the ammonium nitrate but iI you
are using the same items to powder the materials, MAKE SURE that they have been cleaned
thoroughly between uses.
3. Place the ammonium nitrate and the charcoal into the container and mix gently but
thoroughly. For the sake oI saIety, do not mix more than 250g (8oz) at a time. The more Iinely the
powdered the ammonium nitrate and charcoal are, the more eIIective the explosive will be.
4. Store the mixture in a waterprooI container.
ASTROLITE A
Used as a main charge
Initiate charge with 28g (1oz) booster charge or blasting cap
Astrolite A is an extremely powerIul explosive. Although it can be detonated with a blasting cap, a
28g (1oz) booster charge greatly improves perIormance.

ITEMS NEEDED
O Ammonium nitrate/2 u.b.w
O Hydrazine (anhydrous)/1 u.b.w
O Aluminum (powdered or Ilaked)/0.6 u.b.w
O 1 acid-resistant container
O 1 stirring rod (glass or ceramic)
PROCEDURE
1. Pour the ammonium nitrate into the acid-resistant container.
2. Slowly pour a small amount oI hydrazine into the ammonium nitrate. This will cause the
mixture to bubble quite a bit, so wait until the bubbling stops beIore adding more hydrazine. Continue
this process until all the hydrazine had been added to the mixture. WARNING: The Iumes Irom this
process are toxic.
3. Gently stir the mixture Ior 5 minutes.
4. Gently stir the aluminum powder into the mixture.
5. The explosive is now ready Ior use. Store in an acid-resistant container.
BLACK POWDER
Used as propellant or incendiary charge
Initiate charge with squib, Iuse, or blasting cap
Black powder is a rather low-powered explosive, more suitable Ior use as a propellant or an incendiary
than as an explosive charge. But, iI tightly contained, it will work reasonably well. Also, the Iiner you
granulate the powder the more explosive it will be, so use the Iinest screen available to granulate the
powder.

ITEMS NEEDED
O Potassium nitrate/7.9 u.b.w. --OR-- sodium nitrate/7.8 u.b.w.
O Wood charcoal (powdered)/1.5 u.b.w.
O SulIur (powdered)/1 u.b.w.
O Methyl alcohol/10 u.b.w. --OR-- Isopropyl alcohol(70 pure)/10 u.b.w. --OR-- Ethyl
alcohol (70 pure/10 u.b.w.)
O Water/5 u.b.w.
O 1 heat-resistant container
O 1 wooden stirring rod
O Screen (metal or stiII plastic) with .25 inch or smaller openings. Screen should be at least
6x12 inch.
O Cloth (shirt,sheet, etc.) at least 18x18 inches
O Heat source
PROCEDURE
1. Place the potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulIur, and 5 u.b.w oI water into the heat-resistant
container and stir well.
2. Place the heat-resistant container on the heat source and stir until small blue bubbles appear
or the mixture becomes hot to the touch. DO NOT boil mixture or allow it to dry on the sides oI the
container, as it may ignite.
3. Remove the mixture Irom heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
4. Pour the alcohol into the mixture and stir well.
5. Strain the mixture through the cloth.
6. Wrap cloth around mixture and gently squeeze out the remaining liquid.
7. Granulate the black powder by rubbing a small handIul across the screen.
8. The black powder must now be dried. This can be done several diIIerent ways. Three
methods are listed below.
O The powder can be dried using the sun. Spread the black powder out on a large Ilat surIace
and leave in direct sunlight Ior several hours. This will only work iI the air temperature is above
77*F(25*C).
O The powder can be dried using a hot water bath. Place about 1cm (0.4in) oI powder in the
bottom oI an acid-resistant container. Fill a pan with hot water and then place the container in the pan.
ReIill the pan with hot water as it cools.
O The powder can be dried using an oven. First pr-heat the oven to 212*F(100*C). Turn the
oven oII and wait 10 minutes. Place a small amount oI black powder in the bottom oI a large pot or
pan. Place the pot/pan into the oven. Let the material sit in the oven until either it is completely dry or
the oven cools below 122*F(50*C). II the oven has cooled but the powder is not dry, repeat the
process. WARNING: It is recommended that a second thermometer be placed inside oI the oven to
ensure temperature stability. II overheated, the mixture will explode.
9. It may be necessary to repeat step 7 in the black powder has clumped together.
10. The powder can be made into Iiner grains (iI necessary) by spreading a TEASPOONFUL oI the
powder at a time onto a Ilat surIace then gently crushing it. Be sure to keep the rest oI the powder well
away Irom the powder that is being crushed in case oI ignition.
11. Store in a waterprooI container.
THIS GUIDE IS NOT COMPLETE. MORE
ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS WILL BE
MADE OVER THE NEXT MONTH.