Finding ammunition

For a non-expert, it is extremely difficult to assess the condition of ammunition and how dangerous it is.

Therefore, you should never touch or handle found ammunition. Instead, mark the location where it was found and call the police.

The police may then request assistance from the Swedish Armed Forces, whose specially trained explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel will safely handle the findings. Most discoveries turn out to be harmless, but an expert assessment is required.

Ammunition may also appear unfamiliar and does not necessarily look like a projectile-shaped grenade. For example, various types of foreign hand grenades are in circulation.

How to Act

• Leave the site without touching the item(s).

• Mark the location, especially if it is found at sea, but maintain a safe distance.

• Warn others if the item is found in a public area, such as a swimming beach.

• Contact the nearest police authority.

Found Ammunition at Sea

Mines, ammunition, and chemical weapons from the world wars still exist in both the Baltic Sea and along the west coast. Mines and unexploded ammunition should always be considered dangerous and must not be handled, and should be reported to the authorities.

Both in the Baltic Sea and the West Sea, mines, ammunition, and chemical weapons from World Wars I and II remain. Even some inland lakes and abandoned mines may contain unexploded ammunition.

The Swedish Armed Forces themselves have also dumped ammunition at around 300 locations in Sweden. For example, during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, ammunition was dumped at 25 sea locations along both the east and west coasts. Dumping also occurred in abandoned mines and several Swedish lakes, including Vänern, Vättern, and Mälaren. The total amount of ammunition dumped by the Armed Forces is estimated at 6,500 tons.

How to Act at Sea

• If the object has come aboard, cordon off as large an area as possible around it.

• If the object is outside the railing and it is safe for the crew, it should be returned to the sea. Note the position and mark the site with a buoy.

• If returning the object to the sea is not possible, maneuver the vessel upwind from the find. The crew should stay away and avoid being downwind of the item.

• If the object is located below deck, stop work and seal off the area.

• Contact the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) on VHF channel 16 or call SOS Alarm at 112.

Symptoms and Injuries from Chemical Weapons

Along parts of the Swedish coast and nearby areas, dumped aerial bombs and mines from the world wars may still contain chemical weapons, such as mustard gas. Of the more than 165,000 mines deployed in the Baltic and West Seas, approximately 40,000 are believed to remain. The most common are moored mines.

Dumped aerial bombs with mustard gas are the type of chemical weapons most often recovered by fishing equipment in the Baltic Sea.

The aerial bombs were mainly of two types: one approximately 160 cm long with four fins at the rear, and another about 100 cm long without fins.

Indications of Exposure

For those at sea in a risk area, it is useful to recognize common signs of chemical weapons exposure:

• Mustard gas causes burn-like effects on the skin. It also damages the eyes, respiratory system, and, in severe cases, internal organs. Effects are delayed, and symptoms may appear several hours after exposure.

• Nerve agents in mild exposure can impair near and night vision, and cause headache, runny nose, muscle fatigue, and nausea. At higher doses, breathing difficulties, sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea occur.

• Eye exposure causes redness, swelling, and light sensitivity. Skin contact produces small blisters that enlarge and rupture. Lung exposure causes irritation, hoarseness, coughing, and breathing difficulties.

How to Act if Exposed

• Move to fresh air immediately.

• Rinse eyes with sterile saline or eye wash for at least five minutes.

• Remove clothing and place it in sealed plastic bags.

• Remove any thickened mustard gas from the body.

• Decontaminate the body with dry decontamination agents, talcum powder, flour, or another absorbent substance.

• Shave contaminated hair.

• Wash the body with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.

• Symptomatic persons must receive medical treatment promptly. First aid providers should wear full protective clothing, goggles, and a respirator.

Risk Areas

There are several risk areas where mines and dumped aerial bombs have been mainly found. These include:

• Södra Kvarken

• The area between Denmark’s Skagen and the Swedish mainland

• Öresund

Across the entire Baltic region, the Gulf of Finland and Irbe Strait (between Saaremaa and the mainland) have the highest concentrations.

Activities on the sea or lake beds should be avoided in these areas. If unavoidable, detailed information should be obtained from the Swedish Armed Forces, the Coast Guard, and the Swedish Maritime Administration.