Viljar Hanssen was shot five times, one of which severely injured his head, exposing his brain. Despite the severity of his injuries, he was fully conscious and did not feel any pain. His hand, which was missing fingers, touched his exposed brain, but he felt no pain, thanks to the body's physiological response, which includes the release of endorphins and adrenaline. These hormones suppress the perception of pain, allowing the body to cope with the critical situation.
Had the emergency services not arrived and he had been in an isolated area, he would likely have died from the severity of his injuries but without feeling any pain, as the body would have continued to suppress the sensation of suffering until physical collapse. Pain may have only occurred later, when the body exhausted its natural resources to manage the trauma, but in any case, his death would have been painless.
This same mechanism of pain suppression in the body was also observed in historical periods, such as in duels in the 1700s. During gun duels, where mortal wounds were inflicted without medical help, people did not feel pain. This was due to the body's physiological response, which, through adrenaline and endorphins, blocked the sensation of suffering. Even without surgery or doctors, many people died without feeling pain, as the body's natural response temporarily suppressed the perception of pain, allowing them to remain conscious until death.
In summary, both in Viljar Hanssen's case and in historical duels, pain suppression is a defense mechanism that, in the absence of timely medical intervention, allows for a painless death.