Discussion When hanging, are the limb spasms and jerks occurring before or after loss of consciousness?

[Mlem]

Hey guys,

Just a question, if anyone knows or has any experiences with it I'd be interested to hear.

I've been researching hanging as a preferred method of ctb after realising that jumping out in front of a train or driving a car into a tree was just too risky and public.

After watching videos, it seems like there's a lot of movement after say 30 seconds that lasts roughly a couple minutes.

Are these movements involuntary reflexes that happen after consciousness is lost, or is there the possibility that the flailing is a conscious response?

I'm guessing it's involuntary as, if done right, you should pass out within 15 seconds.

I used to suffer from cough syncope (passing out during coughing fits) and I was told my arms lifted up and assumed the position of trying to use a steering wheel, so I know that limbs can do funny things when you're lights out.

 

[Namelesa]

I would say its happening after losing consciousnesses as if you do it right you should have lost consciousnesses before 30 seconds. If you are looking at partial hanging videos and If they were conscious the jerky movement they try do is to stand up as to stop the attempt midway through due to SI.

 

[Mlem]

Yes that's kind of what I thought.

I don't think my SI will kick in however because I find the feeling of passing out is not altogether unpleasant.

I remember when I had my coughing fits, the vision was getting darker, and a loud, increasing deafening hum that just gets louder and louder and then I remember waking up on the ground having fallen face first into the kitchen floor. It wasn't too painful until I woke up and found blood everywhere. So if I don't wake up then it's all good. Just have to stick it out and enjoy the ride for 15 seconds.

 

[Forveleth]

The convulsions are a result of your brain dying from lack of oxygen. It is one of the stages of asphyxia (expiratory dyspnoea) and happens after you lose consciousness. Your brain starts wildly firing nerves at random as a result of hypoxia although I have yet to find mention of the particular mechanism as to why.

 

[Mlem]

I would guess that it's the brain that's sending signals indiscriminately in order for blood to resume, we evolved to get out of dangerous situations by moving any which way in a last ditch attempt to regain flow?