# Storming a crime scene while tossing flash bangs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 17, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456 "2014-12-17T00:46:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/1 "2014-12-17T00:46:45Z")
Was just watching the footage of the Sydney hostage taking and the storming of the shop at the end. Their SWAT team clearly tossed in a whole bunch of flash bangs. That got me to thinking - what were they doing while the flash bangs were going off? Do they run in at the same time? If so, how do the SWAT members keep from being deafened and blinded themselves? Or do they toss a bunch in and then wait for them to finish going off? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/2 "2014-12-17T01:04:36Z")
Throw flashbang, wait until flashbang goes flash & bang, then you go in. How to do it: [Flashbang and Close Quarters Combat (CQC) Training - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGhfyQXZOwg) How not to do it: [How Not To Deploy A Flash Bang - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLjBDB2lkiw) ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/3 "2014-12-17T01:18:23Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Throw flashbang, wait until flashbang goes flash & bang, then you go in. > How to do it: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGhfyQXZOwg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGhfyQXZOwg) > > How not to do it: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLjBDB2lkiw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLjBDB2lkiw) I see what you are getting at, but I really got the impression that there were a bunch of flash bangs (no cites at the moment; I’d have to find a clip again); does that make sense in terms of the SOP in the first youtube clip? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/4 "2014-12-17T01:22:48Z")
They might throw several in the same room to reduce the odds that the hostage taker throw them all back. Or to cover a large area. They might also have stormed the building through several directions, banging each room as they moved through the building. It would be helpful to find a clip, yes. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/5 "2014-12-17T02:06:11Z")
> [@Canadjun](#): > > I see what you are getting at, but I really got the impression that there were a bunch of flash bangs (no cites at the moment; I’d have to find a clip again); does that make sense in terms of the SOP in the first youtube clip? Were those flash-bangs or muzzle flashes? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/6 "2014-12-17T07:01:38Z")
I’m sure they wait until all the flashbangs have gone off before charging in. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyUseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/7 "2014-12-17T12:56:17Z")
Flashbangs are most useful when the target is not expecting the flash and the bang. When you are aware that they are going to go off, their effect is diminished. The Police can enter as the flashbangs are going off and still retain much of their effectiveness. Additionally, most hostage takers have little experience with FBs, but Police do again increasing the effectiveness against the hostage taker, but diminishing against the Police. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/8 "2014-12-17T13:31:15Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > They might also have stormed the building through several directions, banging each room as they moved through the building. That would be my guess. It seems reasonable that they would breach from several locations, and therefore bang from several locations. In addition, they’re going to be prepared in advance with eye and ear protection, and more familiar with the effects. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storming-a-crime-scene-while-tossing-flash-bangs/707456/9 "2014-12-18T00:08:54Z")
The video on TV seemed to show at least two policemen throwing in the flashbangs before they stormed in. There were multiple flashes, possible a dozen or so before they entered through the street door. I don’t believe the flashes where from firearms as those men visible were not firing and they appeared to be the first to enter the cafe.