Sitting on Explosives...The Difference Between Fear and Respect!

This story came to mind after watching an episode of one of my favorite shows N.C.I.S. In short form it revolved around the death of someone by explosives. The question was asked as to why anyone would sit on a drum of explosives. The answer was, "Perhaps they did not know they were explosives". My answer, perhaps they were like me, sometimes living a bit too far out in left field.

I was working at a job I enjoyed very much. In my time between regular assignments I had the unique opportunity to work with the gentleman that manufactured the explosives used by the company. He was also in charge of explosive safety and was incredibly knowledgeable regarding this safety. This was not an area of work that I would ever have considered before this but became quite fascinated by the very detailed work that went into the explosive production and felt quite at ease working with the explosives due to his very strict handling methods. The first thing I learned was that safety was rule number one. It was also rule number two.

Over the course of previous occupations I learned the difference between fear and respect. Respect for something means that you are aware of the potential for damage and bodily injury. Respect means that you will work with what ever it is with caution and knowledge. Fear is not respect. Fear can get you in trouble if you do not have the needed knowledge to accomplish your task. Fear causes mistakes. As a former electrician I knew very well that high voltage could kill me in an instant. I also knew that fear would do the same. I would obviously not be safe if my hands were shaking. I had respect for what I was working with and kept aware of my surroundings.

On the particular day in question we were spending time out at the storage magazines to check inventory and be sure that everything was properly labeled, stored, and accounted for. The magazines were built of thick concrete and steel to contain any accident and also prevent them. I did learn not to refer to them as "bunkers". He informed me that magazines were for storage and "bunkers" were for fighting from. Of course my tongue in cheek reply was that if there was a war he would find me in a magazine armed to the teeth. (I have found that humor can take an edge off of fear.) It was a rather hot end of summer day with very little breeze to cool things off. After a couple of hours we both needed a break from the heat and the inside of the magazine we were working on was very cool. He walked inside and sat down. As I came in I was startled and said, "*****, you are sitting on a crate of EXPLOSIVES!" This gentleman just gave me a smile. He did not have to say anything as I immediately realized that I was in a magazine fully loaded with enough explosives to create a meteor sized hole in the ground and blow us both to "kingdom come". I joined him on the crates.

Over the next weeks I found myself laughing many times over the simple fact that I took a break sitting on a case of explosives. While many people would not find this amusing I looked at it differently. Fear and Respect. Period. My sitting on that case would not cause an accident and if something were to go terribly wrong that might actually be the best place to be. It would at least be over quickly. Not quite the same as jumping out of a plane and having a bad parachute. So I guess this is something for my "bucket list". I can look back and say, "Yes, I did that!" and jumping out of a perfectly good airplane will never be on my list of things to do.

As a note: I am not going to tell you how explosives are made, not even remotely. I am also leaving out details of names and locations to protect the safety of fools who just don't know any better.

To end this article I remind you, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! This adventure was had by persons trained in explosives and who knew full well that if something went wrong where we were sitting would be the least of our worries.