A man hold a syringe up to a man's neck and whispers into his ear, "One move and I'll empty this syringe of air into you." The man moves, the syringe full of air goes in and he falls down dead.Oh, scary. The problem is, is it factual? Can a syringe of air kill of person.
The answer: Maybe but unlikely.
Here's the facts:
1) Bubbles of air in the circulating blood CAN cause death or brain damage, if the air bubble cuts off the blood supply to your brain.
2) Small amounts of air often get into the blood circulation accidentally during surgery and other medical procedures (for example a bubble entering an intravenous fluid line), but most of these air emboli enter the veins and are stopped at the lungs, and thus a venous air embolism that shows any symptoms is very rare.
However, according to Dr. Barry Wolcott MD, FACP, senior vice president of clinical affairs for WebMD Health, "In general, the small amount of air that can be introduced by a typical syringe is not large enough to cause a fatal air embolism (an air embolism is similar to a blood clot)."According to many of the sources I found, a human would need around 150-200cc of air (like a bycicle pump) to cause any damage. The average syringe is only about 20cc of air. (The syringe in the photo above is only 12cc) Also, you would need to get it in to a vein or artery. If it hits a muscle, it does nothing. So, the murderer would have to be skilled at finding veins and injecting enough air to do damage. Not easy to do.
On a side note: (Please, don't try this at home. I don't want to be held responsible.) One way I found of causing death by air embolism is by blowing into the vagina of a pregnant woman during oral sex. Did you know that? That could, however, be used in one of your murder mysteries.
Sources:
1) The Straight Dope
2) Fortune City
3) Wikipedia
4) NHS Wales
5) Medical News Today
20 comments:
Clarissa - Thanks very much for this factual information. I like to be accurate when I write, and that includes the murder weapon. I always like learning the truth about these things.
Margot, this is one of my favorites. It's interesting that many things we read in mystery novels and movies are incorrect.
CD
Haha, I can't wipe the image of someone trying to kill their enemy with a bicycle pump off my mind...
I really like your take on this apparently common writer (or script writer) mistake in mysteries. I hope there will be more! :)
Cruella, I plan to do one every week. Glad you enjoyed it.
CD
Thanks for the info, Clarissa. And thanks even more for the quick and kind comment on my own blog. Roland
My sister passed away from colon cancer a few years ago. She was thirty-nine. But before that, she was in and out of the hospital. On one of her hospital stays, her roommate died from an air embolism. I don't know all the details. I was oversees at the time. I do know it was a nightmare for Holly.
Roland...no, thank you. I like like your blog, informative and funny.
Doralynn, I'm so sorry to dig that up for you. I know there are a lot of ways to have an air embolism: Scuba diving, surgery, blood transfusions. All I'm say with this post is that the empty syringe in neck will most likely not work. I'm really sad that she died so young. That's not fair. My neice (3 years old) is going through 2 biopsies (one hip, one spine) in the next few weeks to determine why she has osteoporosis in her spine. They think it may be Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) or leukemia. My sister's a mess right now. I can't even call her without crying.
CD
Very useful information. Thanks so much. Look forward to the next installment.
Will keep your family in my prayers.
Mary
Giggles and Guns
Thanks, Mary.
CD
Thanks CD. I'm so sorry to hear about your niece. There is nothing worse than sitting with a sick child. My son, Luke, has had poor health since he was a child, and at 21 he had a heart attack. It prevented him from getting in the military. I know how hard it is to have a sick child. It breaks my heart when kids get sick. I'll keep your niece and sister in my prayers.
Thank you, Doralynn, I appreciate it.
CD
I have always wondered about that.
Fascinating. It's something I've always wondered about.
CC & Lynda, glad you found it interesting.
CD
Interesting! Not sure I needed to know that (now I'll worry about tiny bubbles, tiny bubbles...) but I enjoyed it in a sick and troubled sort of way!
Talli, don't worry about the little bubbles... air embolism are so rare.
CD
Very useful info. I have never heard of the last method.
This was great information. Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us. I never know when something like this will come in handy. Death by Bubbles might work as a title. Sorry to hear about your niece. I know how difficult a time it is for you and for your sister.
Helen, yeah, me neither. Not until I did research.
Carol, thank you for your concern. I find writing helps. Glad you liked the post and it does sound like a great title.
CD
That's some scary stuff!
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