# Death by grapes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 27, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660 "2010-02-27T17:16:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/81 "2010-03-11T16:13:46Z")
> [@KNO3](#): > > Trash bags are found in a grocery store. So is cat litter. Let’s just embed the bag of grapes in a bag of cat litter, and then hit them with that! In summary: The point was the \*source \*of the bag of grapes, not that you could grab anything else that may be lying around at that location. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/82 "2010-03-11T16:47:42Z")
> [@ajdebosco](#): > > Yes, way, although it wouldn’t be instantaneous. I was researching trachea crush data, and dug out my old field medic emergency trauma manual. More than one fallen brother in my band had his airway obstructed by some blunt force trauma, that required emergency surgical procedures to provide a temporary airway. > > If the kilo weight bag of grapes was swung, olympic hammer throw style, directly into the throat of the victim, I am convinced the resulting trauma would undoubtedly cause the destruction of the structure that supports the larynx. This allows the airway to collapse during inspiration and to close. Worse, the blow to the larynx may cause severe swelling, although it may take as long as 48 hours for the swelling to close the airway. > > Without an emergency cricothyroidotomy, the victim would be unable to breathe, and thefore die as a result. Yes, a bag of grapes can cause death. But you have to consider the physical constraints of a bag of grapes. The mass is not going to be concentrated on the larynx. It will also be partially or fully blocked by the chin or chest. We might just be splitting hairs on this. I agree that a perfectly-placed blow on a person whose neck is exposed and in the right position could probably cause breathing issues. But I read the OP as questioning if you can reliably cause death by beating with a bag of grapes. Crushing a larynx with a bag of grapes seems to me more like a fluke hit than a standard result. ---
**Author:** ![ajdebosco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@ajdebosco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajdebosco)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/83 "2010-03-11T20:40:50Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > But you have to consider the physical constraints of a bag of grapes. The mass is not going to be concentrated on the larynx. It will also be partially or fully blocked by the chin or chest. > > We might just be splitting hairs on this. I agree that a perfectly-placed blow on a person whose neck is exposed and in the right position could probably cause breathing issues. But I read the OP as questioning if you can reliably cause death by beating with a bag of grapes. Crushing a larynx with a bag of grapes seems to me more like a fluke hit than a standard result. I agree with your overall assessment, but I think the initial question was if it was at all possible. I happen to think it is, given that freak accidents involving seemingly benign stuff like grapes to the throat have happened. Granted, it would have to be a really tightly wound cluster of fruit, in a really well wrapped bag, swung really hard, and like you said, in perfect placement, ( narrow side of the bag so as to miss the chin and chest), and the victim in the really ideal position with his neck fully exposed. Even then, the odds of death ensuing are small, but not out of the realm of possibility. Agreed? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/84 "2010-03-11T21:18:47Z")
> [@ajdebosco](#): > > I agree with your overall assessment, but I think the initial question was if it was at all possible. I happen to think it is, given that freak accidents involving seemingly benign stuff like grapes to the throat have happened. Granted, it would have to be a really tightly wound cluster of fruit, in a really well wrapped bag, swung really hard, and like you said, in perfect placement, ( narrow side of the bag so as to miss the chin and chest), and the victim in the really ideal position with his neck fully exposed. Even then, the odds of death ensuing are small, but not out of the realm of possibility. Agreed? We are in agreement. I raise a fermented grape to you and toast the end of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/85 "2010-03-12T13:48:52Z")
Shouldn’t this thread have been in Grape Debates? ---
**Author:** ![Recliner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e57/32.png) [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/86 "2010-03-13T01:56:23Z")
Only if you put the bag-of-grapes inside a long tube sock. Leverage. ---
**Author:** ![Cassio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@Cassio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cassio)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/87 "2010-03-13T06:51:23Z")
Would seedless grapes compared to seeded ones make a difference? Perhaps, upon collision the seeds would explode out of the bag like shrapnel and somehow perforate the victim. ---
**Author:** ![KNO3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea5d25/32.png) [@KNO3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KNO3)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/88 "2010-03-14T01:04:14Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > So is cat litter. Let’s just embed the bag of grapes in a bag of cat litter, and then hit them with that! > > In summary: The point was the \*source \*of the bag of grapes, not that you could grab anything else that may be lying around at that location. Put the grapes in the trash bag (multiple bagged) for better leverage, leak prevention ( so you don’t lose mass), and so you can deliver multiple hits for an improved beating. Might want to reinforce the seams with waterproof packing tape. Cat litter is an interesting. But my way you can make the good times last… ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/89 "2010-03-15T21:06:45Z")
I love how you responded to the first, facetious line of my post and disregarded the second one. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fastidiots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fastidiots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fastidiots)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660/90 "2010-03-15T21:31:28Z")
What about a [watermelon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Ta_Ii5b2U)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-grapes/530660.md?page=4)