Wow, you'd think that getting caught in a big explosion would kill you. Good thing Sucker Punch Productions knows better!
From SCIV I've learned that if you're ever ambushed by an armed thug, step to the right and crouch down. Despite his best efforts, all his attacks will pass harmlessly over you head.
Unless it's a cut-scene of course, in which case your survival is heavily determined by how awesome you look. Awesome characters
always survive cutscenes.