Question about those sonic cannons

First off, I watched The Incredible Hulk the other night, and the big green protagonist demonstrated a very effective method of dealing with such weaponry.

However, if you lack the wherewithal to rip a humvee to pieces with your bare hands, could you instead pick up a pair of firing-range ear protectors?


I ask the question in all sincerity, and I admit that I know little of the weapon's functioning. Would such protection be of any use? What about a good pair of ear plugs in addition to such measures?

Most good ear plugs do a 30dB sound reduction, although that would vary over the frequency range. All the authorities can do with a sonic weapon is to make a limited area uncomfortable to the ears and make people want to disperse. Of course, the deaf and hearing impaired are not going to see hear the need to disperse and the device will be ineffective on them. Ultra high frequency devices (20kHz) are only effective on people under 30 as most over 30 have age related hearing loss, and are oblivious to the sound.

This "weaponry" sounds like it was developed by a nerd with too much time on his hands. All sorts of countermeasures are possible, including some genius on the protester side coming up with parabolic reflectors to focus the noise back to its source. I'd almost pay to see that. :rofl:

Since most crowds don't bring lots of ear protection to the riots, it's an effective means to disperse a crowd.

But a quick trip to the hardware store offers protection.

Same with tear gas and eye protection.

But I can see that a majority might not do the same.

but knowing the specifications that needed to be canceled would be critical. Whether these sound cannons are only using sound is unknown.

There are also noise cancellation headphones, a bit pricy though.

Great minds!

Most people are not killed by impact from fire or shrapnel. The pressure wave from explosives literally causes people to internally explode.

I don't know how powerful these air cannons are. But ear protection may not help you.

... and I don't know precisely what kind of weapon they're using at G20.

A sonic cannon has many non-audible effects and can damage organs and the central nervous system. Tests of some weapons, for example, have caused individuals targeted to lose control of their bowels.

The only sonic weapons against which ear plugs might help would be those that are used only as an irritant.

I was thinking in terms of a really loud speaker, rather than considering sub- or ultrasonic frequencies.

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=18392

I have been downrange of one of those and the shock wave from them is pretty impressive.And this is just a toy.Something like this built to mil/spec could really cause damage.