Keith Rogan
New member
Olazul,
Thanks for the correction on the "valves" in the arteries vs the veins.
I think you're wrong though on hydrostatic shock. I think it is a real phenomena.
I'm sure you know that the chest cavity is not an air filled space with organs stuck randomly around. Its densely packed with tissue and fluid.
When you shoot a fluid filled object (a milk jug filled with water, say) with a high speed rifle bullet you can SEE the results of that pressure - it explodes. Not only is the back of the jug going to disintegrate, the cap on top is also going into the stratosphere.
An animals chest cavity is not a lot different than that milk jug, its a fluid filled cavity with a tough skin covering - that pressure is going some place! Why not up the carotids to the brain - which as you point out have no protective valves?
Think about this. You've seen deer drop like a stone upon being shot - why? The brain and organs can live several minutes without oxygen - hold your breath and see. If the only factor in killing an animal was tissue damage (and bleeding) then every deer would run away before dropping. That doesn't usually happen.
There is a place where it nearly always happens though and thats with archers! Why do arrow shot deer usually have to bleed out but rifle shot deer normally just fall? The only difference between the two missiles is velocity and frontal diameter - the explanation must lie there.
Shoot a milk jug with an arrow. Shoot a milk jug with a rifle. See any difference?
The best theory I've seen (the only theory) to explain it is hydrostatic shock. A rush of pressure up the arteries that "concuss" the brain and cause the central nerve system to shut down.
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Keith
The Bears and Bear Maulings Page: members.xoom.com/keithrogan
Thanks for the correction on the "valves" in the arteries vs the veins.
I think you're wrong though on hydrostatic shock. I think it is a real phenomena.
I'm sure you know that the chest cavity is not an air filled space with organs stuck randomly around. Its densely packed with tissue and fluid.
When you shoot a fluid filled object (a milk jug filled with water, say) with a high speed rifle bullet you can SEE the results of that pressure - it explodes. Not only is the back of the jug going to disintegrate, the cap on top is also going into the stratosphere.
An animals chest cavity is not a lot different than that milk jug, its a fluid filled cavity with a tough skin covering - that pressure is going some place! Why not up the carotids to the brain - which as you point out have no protective valves?
Think about this. You've seen deer drop like a stone upon being shot - why? The brain and organs can live several minutes without oxygen - hold your breath and see. If the only factor in killing an animal was tissue damage (and bleeding) then every deer would run away before dropping. That doesn't usually happen.
There is a place where it nearly always happens though and thats with archers! Why do arrow shot deer usually have to bleed out but rifle shot deer normally just fall? The only difference between the two missiles is velocity and frontal diameter - the explanation must lie there.
Shoot a milk jug with an arrow. Shoot a milk jug with a rifle. See any difference?
The best theory I've seen (the only theory) to explain it is hydrostatic shock. A rush of pressure up the arteries that "concuss" the brain and cause the central nerve system to shut down.
------------------
Keith
The Bears and Bear Maulings Page: members.xoom.com/keithrogan