If you have a stuffed up nose and you're kidnapped and your mouth duct-taped, can you suffocate to death?

Answer 1

Yes.

There have been several brutal robberies where store workers were bound in that fashion and indeed, did suffocate. Not a pretty way to go.

There was one highly publicized casino robbery in Las Vegas many years ago where the "counting room" staff were bound, gagged and duct-taped. One of the victims suffocated in that manner.

[Source Link 1] - Her hands were tied behind her back, and her face was wrapped in silver duct tape. She died of suffocation and from knife slashes to her throat and vaginal area.

[Source Link 2] - Evidence supports first-degree premeditated murder conviction. Proof showed duct tape was applied to victim willfully, deliberately, and intentionally to cause the victim’s suffocation and death.


While these cases showed deliberate suffocation by duct-tape, there are other cases available (death by duct tape with sinusitis) via Google search entry, "death suffocation duct tape".

Answer 2

You mean your sitting there kidnapped, duct-taped and have a stuffed nose and you took the time to ask that kind of question on yahoo answers?

Ya big silly, get to the medicine cabinet and take some tylenol sinus!

Answer 3

Yes. Its happened a few times. Last time I remember hearing of such a thing was a hazing in which a kid was "kidnapped" and had his mouth duct taped and suffocated.

Answer 4

So you killed your kidnapping victim huh? See, this is why you should think things through first.. Put straws up their nose or something so they have some way to breath when you duct tape their mouth.

Answer 5

Not at all. Your body has something medical doctors call Extraplusivoritative Breathing. It is a back-up mechanism used to, in said position, force one's nose to accept oxygen through the ears.

Answer 6

Only if you can't free your hands.

Answer 7

well, it kind of depends on how stuffed up your nose is, but it does seem likley. my friend here is convinced that you r able to breath through duct-tape! ha ha! sorry.

Answer 8

The answeer is Yes you could (BUT) When you really need to you'll find out you can buow your nose free to get the air.. Been there in seal training..(Believe me you can, hurts like crazy and may bleed but you'll free it enough) ROB

Answer 9

Why???
You aren't planning on kidnapping someone with a stuffed up nose are you?

Answer 10

if this ever happens to you here's my suggestion
1st check your pockets for a ballpoint pen and a pen knife or jacknife
if so your in luck... i saw this on M*A*S*H
you make a small cut in the base of your neck into your wind pipe,
take the pen apart
try to make the small end of the pen bigger and you insert it into the hole in your throat to keep the tissue open to let air in
try to remain calm because you wont be getting a lot of air,
but enuf to keep you alive
you be ok
wait for a rescue to come