A few of us in the office here are discussing 'Saw', a film which one of us got out on DVD last night, where the protagonist cuts off his own foot with a hacksaw.
Obviously it's not something that is met in day-to-day life for most of us, so we were just wondering how much blood there would be if someone did lose a hand or foot, how far would it go, realistically, and how long would it bleed for if left unattended? It's just that in some films it gushes like a hosepipe for ten minutes, and others it just sort of...dribbles out!
Thanks
2007-08-29 01:04:57 · 10 answers · asked by Nelson 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Arterial blood is pumped out by the circulatory system, so spurting is the best way to describe it.
Without pressure being applied to stem the bleeding, you would have about 7 minutes max to bleed to death.
2007-08-29 01:11:02 · answer #1 · answered by Christine H 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how the blood vessels were cut. When a large blood vessel like an artery is cut perpendicular to the artery, it undergoes contraction which prevents it from bleeding too much. If instead it is cut diagonally or lengthwise, it cannot do this and bleeds much more. However, the ability of blood to clot is probably going to make more of a difference on how long you bleed and how quickly you die. For example, if you are a chronic aspirin taker, you will bleed longer and faster because aspirin is a natural blood thinner and interferes with blood's ability to clot.
2007-08-29 10:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by misoma5 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The person would most likely bleed to death if left unattended because a wound as such is too large to seal itself
2007-08-29 08:14:00 · answer #3 · answered by Pe-nan-ce 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you seen Monty Python and The Holy Grail? There was the Black Knight who was bleeding quite heavily, after losing all his limbs, but he didn't want to die at all. He was just standing there shouting: "come closer and I'll bit you!"
2007-08-29 08:20:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anna K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Q...I took the end of one of my fingers off one night and it's amazing what little blood there was?? These bodies of our's deal well with trauma?? The movies over exaggerate blood loss for affect only!! My mate lost a leg in a motorcycle crash and he wasn't dealt with for sometime, he didn't bleed to death either!!
2007-08-29 08:14:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
ha, your office is obviously inundated with work.. ok, film topic, good.... y oh y would any 1 be interested in how long a limb bleeds for??? pointless.... maybe you'd be better in med school??? lol
2007-08-29 20:53:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If unattended you bleed till you die,simple.
2007-08-29 08:11:07 · answer #7 · answered by mach 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Be brave and have a go, then when some fool asks the same question you will know the answer.
See, I'm not just good, I'm damned extraordinary...................
2007-08-30 17:25:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
AHHH MY HAND!!! AND NO BAND AID IN SITE!!!
(10 min later)
THUD!! your DEAD!!!!
lol..
2007-08-29 08:16:24 · answer #9 · answered by john doe 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ewww I'm trying to eat my lunch!!!!!
2007-08-29 08:18:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋