Passing On: What It's Like To Die -- scientists offer some of their conclusions

krsna · October 14, 2007

Passing On: What It's Like To Die

Sunday October 14, 2007

Most of us have probably wondered what it is like to die - so scientists have tackled the issue head-on and revealed the macabre yet fascinating truth.

...And the other side of the story

New Scientist magazine has pondered the subject in great depth in its latest issue, discussing the various ways of meeting one's end, from being burned alive to drowning and decapitation.

The experts have taken their evidence from advances in medical sciences and accounts from lucky survivors.

Whatever the mode of death, it is usually a lack of oxygen to the brain that delivers the "coup de grace", says the report.

But in case there are still questions, here are some of their conclusions:

Drowning:

Victims first panic and try to hold their breath, typically for 30 to 90 seconds. Survivors have reported a "tearing and burning" sensation as water enters the lungs - but it is quickly followed by a feeling of calmness and tranquility. Oxygen deprivation results in loss of consciousness, the heart stopping and brain death.

Heart attack:

A "squeezing" chest pain, or feeling of pressure, is the most common symptom as the heart muscle struggles for oxygen. Disruption of the normal heart rhythm effectively stops the heart beating. Loss of consciousness can occur in about 10 seconds and death can follow minutes later.

Loss of blood:

Marked by several stages of "haemorrhagic shock". Anyone losing 1.5 litres of blood feels weak, thirsty and anxious. By the time two litres are lost, people experience dizziness, confusion and eventual unconsciousness.

Electrocution:

A household electric shock might stop the heart, leading to unconsciousness after around 10 seconds. Higher currents through the heart or brain can produce almost immediate unconsciousness. However, it has been claimed that prisoners executed with the electric chair may actually have died from heating of the brain or suffocation. :ponder:

Fall from a height:

Survivors of great falls often report the sensation of time slowing down. A study of 100 suicide jumps from San Francisco's 246-ft-high Golden Gate Bridge found numerous cases of instantaneous death involving collapsed lungs, exploded hearts or damage to organs from broken ribs. :eek4:

Hanging:

Hanging suicides and old-fashioned executions cause death by strangulation. This can lead to unconsciousness in 10 seconds but a poorly placed noose may result in many minutes of suffering. "Long drop" hangings are designed to break the neck. But a study of the remains of 34 prisoners executed in this way found that four-fifths died partly from asphyxiation. :eek2:

Fire:

Burns inflict intense pain, and boost the skin's pain sensitivity. As superficial nerves are destroyed, some feeling is lost - but not much, according to experts. But most people who die in fires are actually killed by inhaling toxic gases and asphyxiation. :burn:

Decapitation:

Beheading can be swift and painless but consciousness is believed to continue for a short time after the spinal cord is severed. Experts have calculated that the brain might remain functioning for seven seconds. Reports from guillotine executions in France cited cases where movements of the eyes and mouth were seen for up to 30 seconds. :rolleyes2:

suchandra · October 14, 2007

Hanging:

Hanging suicides and old-fashioned executions cause death by strangulation. This can lead to unconsciousness in 10 seconds but a poorly placed noose may result in many minutes of suffering. "Long drop" hangings are designed to break the neck. But a study of the remains of 34 prisoners executed in this way found that four-fifths died partly from asphyxiation.

Fire:

Burns inflict intense pain, and boost the skin's pain sensitivity. As superficial nerves are destroyed, some feeling is lost - but not much, according to experts. But most people who die in fires are actually killed by inhaling toxic gases and asphyxiation.

Decapitation:

Beheading can be swift and painless but consciousness is believed to continue for a short time after the spinal cord is severed. Experts have calculated that the brain might remain functioning for seven seconds. Reports from guillotine executions in France cited cases where movements of the eyes and mouth were seen for up to 30 seconds.

While those learned scientists may intellectually understand the fact of impermanence, they may not really believe that they themselves will also die in a couple of years. The proof is that they won't consider to chant Hare Krishna and awaken their eternal souls from the illusion of identifying with this material body. When Yudhisthira is asked: “What is the greatest wonder in this world?" He replies, "People see and examine death all around them, but do not believe they're going to die themselves. This is the greatest wonder.”

"The real problem is that there is death, there is birth, there is old age and there is disease. This is real problem. That problem is due to this material body. Therefore our real problem is that we have got this material body, but we have no sense that “Within this material body I am the spirit soul, living. So how to get out of this material body and again revive our spiritual body?” Spiritual body is already there. How to become free from the bondage of this material body and become free again in spiritual life, that is real problem of life. That they do not. Who knows? Bring any big, big leaders. Ask him that “Do you know what is the problem of life?” They do not know. Therefore it is said, na te viduḥ svārtha- gatiṁ hi viṣṇum [SB 7.5.31]"

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.5.31

by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Mauritius, October 4, 1975

mahak · October 15, 2007

What about volcanic lava, mudslide, shotgun blast to the face, auto being crushed while we are in it.

Actual death is not a problem, because thewre we find out the whole materialistic definition of death is false, because we still have consciousness (and if we dont, there is no one there to care). No, the problem is dying, whicdh begins at birth. I mention these gruesome ways to die because the take time. Not the electric switch going off, but the experiance of the CAUSE of death. And Srila Prabhupada, the scientist, tells us that the cause is taking birth on a planet that gives death as a trophy for a life well led and poorly led equally.

Which way would you choose, if the choice was yours. I like Johnny Depp's way in DEAD MAN, floating out to sea on a funeral boat, whatta way to pass the time while dying.

No, death is not a problem, dying is.

Haribol, ys, mahaksadasa