A Summary Of How People Die (and Don't) In Swordfights

A summary of how people die (and don't) in swordfights

This is a really good article about how quickly people actually die from cuts and punctures inflicted by swords and knives. However, it’s really really long and I figured that since I was summarizing for my own benefit I’d share it for anyone else who is writing fiction that involves hacking and slashing your villain(s) to death. If you want the nitty gritty of the hows and whys of this, you can find it at the original source.

…even in the case of mortal wounds, pain may not reach levels of magnitude sufficient to incapacitate a determined swordsman.

Causes of death from stabs and cuts:

massive bleeding (exsanguination) - most common

air in the bloodstream (air embolism)

suffocation (asphyxia)

air in the chest cavity (pneumothorax)

infection

Stabbing vs cutting:

Stabbing someone actually takes very little force if you don’t hit bone or hard cartilage.

The most important factor in the ease of stabbing is the velocity of the blade at impact with the skin, followed by the sharpness of the blade.

Stabbing wounds tend to close after the weapon is withdrawn.

Stabbing wounds to muscles are not typically very damaging. Damage increases with the width of the blade.

Cutting wounds are typically deepest at the site of initial impact and get shallower as force is transferred from the initial swing to pushing and pressing.

Cutting wounds have a huge number of factors that dictate how deep they are and how easily they damage someone: skill, radial velocity, mass of the blade, and the size of the initial impact.

Cutting wounds along the grain of musculature are not typically very damaging but cutting wounds across the grain can incapacitate.

Arteries vs veins:

Severed veins have almost zero blood pressure and sometimes even negative pressure. They do not spurt but major veins can suck air in causing an air embolism.

Cutting or puncturing a vein is usually not fatal.

Severed arteries have high blood pressure. The larger arteries do spurt and can often cause death due to exsanguination.

Body parts as targets:

Severing a jugular vein in the neck causes an air embolism and will make the victim collapse after one or two gasps for air.

Severing a carotid artery in the neck cuts off the blood supply to the brain but the victim may be conscious for up to thirty seconds.

Stabbing or cutting the neck also causes the victim to aspirate blood that causes asphyxiation and death.

Severing a major abdominal artery or vein would cause immediate collapse, but this takes a fairly heavy blade and a significant amount of effort because they are situated near the spine.

Abdominal wounds that only impact the organs can cause death but they do not immediately incapacitate.

Severing an artery in the interior of the upper arm causes exsanguination and death but does not immediately incapacitate.

Severing an artery in the palm side of the forearm causes exsanguination and death but does not immediately incapacitate.

Severing the femoral artery at a point just above and behind the knee is the best location. Higher up the leg it is too well protected to easily hit. This disables and will eventually kill the victim but does not immediately incapacitate.

Cutting across the muscles of the forearm can immediately end the opponent’s ability to hold their weapon.

Cutting across the palm side of the wrist causes immediate loss of ability to hold a weapon.

Stab wounds to the arm do not significantly impact the ability to wield a weapon or use it.

Cuts and stab wounds to the front and back of the legs generally do not do enough muscle damage to cause total loss of use of that leg.

Bone anywhere in the body can bend or otherwise disfigure a blade.

The brain can be stabbed fairly easily through the eyes, the temples, and the sinuses.

Stabs to the brain are more often not incapacitating.

The lungs as targets:

Slicing into the lung stops that lung from functioning, but the other lung continues to function normally. This also requires either luck to get between the ribs or a great deal of force to penetrate the ribs.

Stabbing the lung stops that lung from functioning, but the other lung continues to function normally. It is significantly easier to stab between ribs than to slice.

It is possible to stab the victim from the side and pass through both lungs with an adequate length blade. It is very unlikely that this will happen with a slicing hit.

“Death caused solely by pneumothorax is generally a slow process, occurring as much as several hours after the wound is inflicted.”

Lung punctures also typically involve the lung filling with blood, but this is a slow process.

The heart as a target:

I’m just going to quote this paragraph outright with a few omissions and formatting changes for clarity because it’s chock-full of good info:

…[stabbing] wounds to the heart the location, depth of penetration, blade width, and the presence or absence of cutting edges are important factors influencing a wounded duelist’s ability to continue a combat.

Large cuts that transect the heart may be expected to result in swift incapacitation…

…stab wounds, similar to those that might be inflicted by a thrust with a sword with a narrow, pointed blade may leave a mortally wounded victim capable of surprisingly athletic endeavors.

Essentially, the heart can temporarily seal itself well enough to keep pressure up for a little while if it’s a simple stab. The arteries around the heart, while they are smaller and harder to hit, actually cause incapacitation much more quickly.

Masterpost

RFA w/MC who can sing RFA(+V&Unknown) w/MC coming home drunk RFA helping MC with hw/studying RFA(+V&Unknown) playing horror games w/MC RFA w/Kpop dancer MC RFA w/MC who is scared of lightning RFA(+V) w/MC being Jumin’s security guard RFA w/bilingual MC RFA try admitting their feelings but get drunk instead RFA w/jealous MC RFA sees MC with glasses RFA(+Unknown) w/delinquent MC RFA cuddling RFA(+V&Unknown) go to Universals with MC for Halloween RFA(+V) w/wheelchair-bound MC RFA(+V&Unknown) w/secret agent MC RFA w/MC having a deadly allergic reaction RFA(+V&Unknown) in the Pokemon world RFA w/somebody getting too friendly with MC RFA w/MC adorably trying to get their attention RFA(+V&Unknown) w/short MC RFA(+V) w/asexual MC RFA(+V&Unknown) w/Broadway actress MC RFA(+Unknown) w/tall MC RFA(+V&Unknown) w/bad cook MC who makes something good RFA(+V&Unknown) w/MC who have intensively bad periods RFA(+V&Unknown) which ones are/are not virgins RFA(+V&Unknown) w/middle school MC RFA(+V&Unknown) what kind of Valentine’s chocolate they like RFA(+Unknown) when Valentine’s dinner goes wrong RFA(+Unknown) reveiving a homemade Valentine’s gift from MC RFA(+Unknown) going iceskating for Valentine’s Day RFA(+V&Unknown) being loaded with work on Valentine’s Day RFA with MC who woke up panicking from a nightmare while they were gone RFA(+V&Unknown) with an MC with an artistic career RFA(+V) with an MC who loves to sing but is really bad at it RFA(+V&Unknown) seeing MC in a swimsuit for the first time Unknown w/MC who’s like Seven Zen, Jumin, Seven w/sick MC Yoosung under a mistletoe V & Unknown exchanging Christmas gifts w/MC Jumin & V on Christmas morning w/MC Zen’s first Christmas alone w/MC Jumin & Unknown go sledding w/MC Yoosung spending Christmas with young MC Jumin reacting to MC who always spends Christmas alone Seven reacting to MC being more workaholic than he is Jumin & Unknown w/MC being insecure about her smile/laugh Seven & Unknown react to MC calling them the ‘Choi Bois’ Jumin & Seven take MC to NY for the Near Year’s ball drop Seven and Zen jump out and scare MC and making her cry

Pairings:

Fluffy Juzen & Yooseven HCs

Fics:

Jumin celebrating with birthday with MC and V Casual date with Yoosung First wedding dance with Zen and short!MC

1K notes View Post

this-is-useful

6 years ago

ok so i have a lot of friends + writer friends & they don’t know the difference between who and whom, and to be honest i didnt know the difference until not that long ago

what u have to do is think of the pronouns ur using

WHO is used to replace THEY/HE/SHE etc.

He loves chocolate cake. I know someone who loves chocolate cake.

WHOM is used to replace THEM/HIM/HER etc..

I saw her today. You saw whom today?

AND HERE’S THE TRICKY PART: if the pronoun comes after a CONJUNCTION (with, yet, but, so, or, etc.), you KEEP the pronoun, and put it at the BEGINNING of the sentence.

I got all this way with them. With whom did you get all this way?

i hope this helps!! i tried to make it as clear as possible but its ok if its not clear to u!! it took me awhile to figure the difference out & not everyone will get it immediately.

13K notes View Post

this-is-useful

6 years ago

Hey guys! As a writer myself, it’s hard to have a lot of resources for writing in one place. That’s why I decided to create this masterpost, and maybe make more if I find future resources. I hope you like it, and expect to see more masterposts like this in the future!

Generators

Character

Appearance Generator

Archetypes Generator

Character Generator

Character Traits Generator

Family Generator

Job/Occupation Generator, (II)

Love Interest Generator

Motive Generator

Name Generator

Personality Generator, (II)

Quick Character Generator

Super Powers Generator

Names

Brand Name Generator

Medicine Title Generator

Name Generator

Quick Name Generator

Vehicle Generator

Town Name Generator

Plot

First Encounter Generator

First Line Generator, (II)

Plot Generator, (II), (III)

Plot Device Generator

Plot Twist Generator

Quick Plot Generator

Setting/World-Building

City Generator

Fantasy Race Generator

Laws Generator

Pet Generator

Setting Generator

Species Generator

Terrain Generator

Prompts

Subject Generator

”Take Three Nouns” Generator

Word Prompt Generator

Misc

Color Generator

Decision Generator

Dialogue Generator

Journey Generator

Title Generator, (II), (III)

Some Tips

Just a few I found from the writing tips tag!

Writing action / @berrybird

How to create a strong voice in your writing / @collegerefs

How to plot a complex novel in one day! / @lizard-is-writing

8 ways to get past writer’s block / @kiramartinauthor

psa for writers / @dasakuryo

”Write Using Your 5 Senses” / @ambientwriting

How People Watching Improves Your Writing / @wherethetransthingsare

Writing Science Fiction: Tips for Beginners / @fictionwritingtips

Creating Likeable Characters / @authors-haven

Vocabulary

Descriptive words / @somekindofstudent

Words to replace “Said” / @msocasey

Obscure color words / @mintsteelpeachlilac

Words to spice up your stories / @busyibee

Words to describe someone’s voice

Words to Use Instead of Very / @gaybybirth

Touchy Feely Words / @gaybybirth

Some Advice

Stephen King’s Top 20 Rules for Writers

”But my plot isn’t UNIQUE or BIG enough!” / @youreallwrite

8 Things Every Creative Should Know / @adamjk

(How To) Get Over Comparing Yourself to Other Creatives / @adamjk

How to Get Over Common Creative Fears (Maybe) / @adamjk

14 Tips From Stephen King On Writing / @i-can-give-you-prompts

Playlists

Electronic Thoughts / @eruditekid

“Mix About Writing” An Instrumental Mix / @shadowofemirates

Shut Up, I’m Writing! / @ninadropdead

Chill / @endlessreveries

Breathtaking Film Scores / @tweedskirts

Music to Write to Vol. 1: Starlight / @crestadeen

Music for Written Words / @ghoulpatch

Dead Men Tell No Tales / @scamandersnewt

Fatale / @dolcegf

All These Things that I’ve Done / @referenceforwriters

Feeling Soaking into Your Bones / @verylondon

I Can Feel Your Pulse in the Pages / @rphelper

Morally Ambiguous / @scamandersnewt

Wonderwall / @wheelerwrites

Pythia / @mazikeene

Ballet: To Dance / @tanaquil

Websites and Apps

For Writing

ZenPen: A minimalist writing website to keep you free of distractions and in the flow.

The Most Dangerous Writing App: A website where you have to keep typing or all of your writing will be lost. It helps you keep writing…kind of. You can choose between a time or word count limit!

Evernote: An online website where you can take notes and save the product to your laptop and/or smartphone!

Writer, the Internet Typewriter: It’s just you and your writing, and you can save your product on the website if you create an account.

Wordcounter: A website to help check your word and character count, and shows words you’re using frequently.

Monospace: An Android app for writing on the go when you feel the inspiration, but you don’t have your laptop on you!

For Productivity

Tide: An app that combines a pomodoro-esque timer with nature sounds and other noises! (Google Play / Apple Store)

ClearFocus: An Android app with a pomodoro-type time counter to let you concentrate easier and stay productive.

Forest: An app with a time counter to keep you focused and off your phone, and when you complete the time limit, a tree grows in your garden! (Google Play / Apple Store)

SelfControl: A Mac downloadable app that blocks you from distracting mail servers, websites, and other things!

Prompt Blogs

@writeworld

@dialouge-prompts

@oopsprompts

@prompts-for-the-otp

@creativepromptsforwriting

@the-modern-typewriter

@theprofessionalpromptmaker

@writers-are-writers

@otp-imagines-cult

@witterprompts

@havetobememes

@auideas

@putthepromptsonpaper

@promptsonpaper

@fyotpprompts

@otpisms

@soprompt

@otpprompts

@ablockforwritersblock

@awritersnook

Writing Tips Blogs

@writeworld

@anomalously-written

@awritersnook

@clevergirlhelps

@referenceforwriters

@whataboutwriting

@thewritershelpers

@nimblesnotebook

@slitheringink

100K notes View Post

this-is-useful

2 years ago

DIY Crochet Flower Patterns

Happy Patty Crochet on Etsy

21K notes View Post

this-is-useful

7 years ago

A friendly reminder that Saeyoung’s name in college was Chilyoung Choi (19) who mysteriously disappeared at a party right before the commencement.

325 notes View Post

this-is-useful

7 years ago

Myths, Creatures, and Folklore

Want to create a religion for your fictional world? Here are some references and resources!

General:

General Folklore

Various Folktales

Heroes

Weather Folklore

Trees in Mythology

Animals in Mythology

Birds in Mythology

Flowers in Mythology

Fruit in Mythology

Plants in Mythology

Folktales from Around the World

Africa:

Egyptian Mythology

African Mythology

More African Mythology

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

The Gods of Africa

Even More African Mythology

West African Mythology

All About African Mythology

African Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

The Americas:

Aztec Mythology

Haitian Mythology

Inca Mythology

Maya Mythology

Native American Mythology

More Inca Mythology

More Native American Mythology

South American Mythical Creatures

North American Mythical Creatures

Aztec Gods and Goddesses

Asia:

Chinese Mythology

Hindu Mythology

Japanese Mythology

Korean Mythology

More Japanese Mythology

Chinese and Japanese Mythical Creatures

Indian Mythical Creatures

Chinese Gods and Goddesses

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Korean Gods and Goddesses

Europe:

Basque Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Etruscan Mythology

Greek Mythology

Latvian Mythology

Norse Mythology

Roman Mythology

Arthurian Legends

Bestiary

Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Lands

Finnish Mythology

Celtic Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

Middle East:

Islamic Mythology

Judaic Mythology

Mesopotamian Mythology

Persian Mythology

Middle Eastern Mythical Creatures

Oceania:

Aboriginal Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

More Polynesian Mythology

Mythology of the Polynesian Islands

Melanesian Mythology

Massive Polynesian Mythology Post

Maori Mythical Creatures

Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses

Hawaiian Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses

Creating a Fantasy Religion:

Creating Part 1

Creating Part 2

Creating Part 3

Creating Part 4

Fantasy Religion Design Guide

Using Religion in Fantasy

Religion in Fantasy

Creating Fantasy Worlds

Beliefs in Fantasy

Some superstitions:

masterlist

Re-organized Masterlist: June 2017. Updated after every new fic.

The previous masterlist [here] was getting long in a particular section… so to even it out, we’re trying categories! There may not be a big difference between some categories, but its main purpose is to even out the masterlist without being too messy.

Tags We Use:

#mysme-fics

#adminnao

#adminri

Note: The old HCs/fics written by Admin E are untagged, as there had not been a need to distinguish herself before having co-admins.

#character names (e.g. yoosung kim, saeyoung choi, etc.)

Categorized by the genre/section that matches the most.

Fluff

MC stealing RFA’s clothes and sleeping on their bed

MC under the mistletoe with another guy

Confessing to their crush (Jumin, Seven, V)

Foreigner Cousin Kisses MC [Fan Favourite]

Drunk person kissing MC

MC ignoring because of toothache [Admin Ri Favourite]

MC Announces Her Pregnancy [Fan Favourite]

Infertile MC

RFA React to MC bad with being touched

MC with Chapped Lips

Waiting out the Thunderstorm

RFA with their Kids

Accidentally Hits MC [NEW]

Angst

Bullied MC

RFA Reacts to MC’s death

Kidnapped MC [Fan Favourite]

Unrequited, One-sided Love for RFA [Admin Ri Favourite]

Sin

Disoriented after sex MC

MC being loud in bed

MC’s first time

Jealous of MC giving affection to pet (Jumin, Seven, Zen)

Walking in on MC pleasuring herself (Zen, Seven, Jumin)

MC who’s always almost nude around house

MC grinding on their thigh

Threesome (MCxJuminxZen)

MC having persistent hiccups

Drunk MC

B L U E

Self-harming MC

Insomniac MC with Anxiety

MC with Depression [Effe - HC Ver.]

MC with a Huge Scar

Depressed MC [Ri - Mini-Fic Ver.]

MC has Anxiety Attack

Mini-Fics

MC as a Birthday Present [Fan Favourite]

MC with Period Pains [Fan Favourite]

MC Trips On a Stranger Misunderstanding

MC Wearing Kitty Lingerie

RFA in relationships falling for MC (Fluff) [Admin Ri Favourite]

Seven/Saeran Birthday

Chubby MC Asks to Break Up [Fan Favourite]

Imagines

Sick and dying MC

RFA enlisting

Playing laser tag together

Professions

Model MC

Professional ballerina / soprano MC

Top lawyer for NSA MC

Underground MMA fighter MC (Zen and Jumin Reacts)

Professional ballroom dancer MC

AU

ATLAB AU

Wolfpack AU

Wolfpack AU sidestory (JuminZen week special)

Wonderland AU

Soulmate AU:

707 - Colours

V - Visions [NEW]

Stolen Diaries AU :

Victim #1 : Saeran Choi [NEW]

REACTIONS:

There’s so many, it needs another section of its own. Majority written by Admin E. ;)

Reactions to Hobbies/Habits

MC with fish-keeping hobby

MC with out-of-control baking hobby

MC that likes things neat and in order

Hardcore Beyonce fan MC

Messy MC

Characteristics Reactions

Young MC

MC named Elizabeth the 3rd [Fan Favourite]

British MC

Bi/Poly/Pansexual MC

Narcissist MC

Avoidant-Dismissive MC

MC who wears Badass Makeup

Bilingual MC

Fencer MC

MC with Glasses

Jobless MC

Magical Singing Voice MC

MC that looks like a Mini-RFA

Native American MC

Never been kissed before MC

Sailor mouth MC

Super tall MC

Tattooed MC

Trust fund kid MC

Situation Reactions

RFA Attends MC’s graduation

Drunk MC (SFW)

Long distance relationship with MC

MC busy with schoolwork and ignores RFA

MC singing romantic songs

MC that ran away from home

MC trying on wedding dress

MC Forced into Arranged Marriage

Receiving a bad Christmas gift from MC

MC sending pics of cute animals

MC having prince-like childhood friend

MC with heavy menstrual cramps

Convincing MC to stay the night

Family Christmas Party with MC

Meeting MC’s parents

Overly stressed due to studying MC

Teaching MC to swim

MC turned off by Narcissism

RFA watches RHPS with MC

CHARACTERS:

HCs/fics revolving around a specific character and MC.

Yoosung Kim

Time Capsule [NEW] [Fan Favourite]

Zen / Hyun Ryu

MC trying a role

MM: Life After (Admin E’s long fanfic series)

Mermaid MC

Talk about MC’s past

Sulky after Zen’s kiss scene MC

Stressed MC

Frustrated MC

Zen asks MC for help with new role

React: Insecure MC who is “different” from Zen

Older MC (NSFW)

Awakening MC’s Inner Beast (NSFW)

Zen and MC on their honeymoon (NSFW)

Jaehee Kang

Deep friendship with MC

Jumin Han

Commoner Date

Jumin laughing

Lashing out on MC

Paper Planes (JuminV week special)

Reversing Roles (NSFW) [Admin Nao Favourite]

Not Always Prepared for “Action” (NSFW)

707 / Saeyoung Choi

Lazy day with MC

MC working in Seven’s agency

707: The Cold Treatment

Forget me not Fanfic [Admin Nao Favourite] [COMPLETED]

Walking in on MC changing (NSFW)

MC Eats Last HBC (NSFW)

Seven as a dad

Unknown / Saeran Choi

Insecure Saeran

Fangirling over BAP MC

Cute date turns NSFW (NSFW)

VDay: Jealous of Seven (NSFW)

Saeran in College Imagine

Artificial Stars, Real Feelings [Fluff]

Unknown Kidnaps MC [Fluff] [Fan Favourite]

Where Are You Now? [Ri’s Fanfic]

Unknown Hacks into Camera at MC’s Apartment

Protecting MC from Bully

V / Jihyun Kim

Scrapbook gift from V

Surprising MC with his eye surgery

Lanterns

12 Shutter Clicks (ANGST) [Admin Nao Favourite]

All That I Have (ANGST)

Vanderwood

(note: normally we won’t write him.)

Before Vanderwood Met 707

Event Specials

Yoosung Birthday Event Specials: [Here]

Zen Birthday Event Specials: [Here]

(the b-day events include HCs, fics, sfw and nsfw)

V-Day 2017 Specials: [Here]

A Summary Of How People Die (and Don't) In Swordfights