# death by hanging or firing squad... which would you choose? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 5, 2006, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182 "2006-11-05T13:47:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/41 "2006-11-06T00:35:49Z")
So **gabriela** , were you correct about how far of a drop a neck-snapping needs to be? After all, your anectodal data seems to be wrong? Hope that people aren’t getting convicted on your say so… ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/42 "2006-11-06T01:09:15Z")
[QUOTE=athelas] A firing squad. Preferably a circular one. [/QUOTE] Summon the Unitarians. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_loblaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@bob\_loblaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_loblaw)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/43 "2006-11-06T02:26:28Z")
[QUOTE=Scissorjack] It appears that the OP is in favour of Capital Punishment. [/QUOTE] actually, i am not. but i can’t do anything about the fact that it exists places where i don’t get a vote. anyway, the reason i asked the question is that if one is put in a position where death is certain, but can choose the method of death, that choice must say something about the person. i’m not sure what it says, that’s maybe for another thread. but it’s something. and i second death by snoo-snoo, though by the rules of the op, it’s an invalid choice. so i’ll go with hanging, because it seems to me a slightly less violent way to die. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/44 "2006-11-06T02:37:35Z")
I’d choose the cap(s). For that matter, toss me feet first into a tree chipper. Done in a matter of seconds. ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/45 "2006-11-06T02:41:44Z")
Definitely firing squad for me, should the authorities finally catch up with me. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/46 "2006-11-06T04:58:30Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > First of all, you aren’t conscious to feel a hanging whether badly done or well done. I know this to be true from the 100’s of hanging suicides I have examined, plus forensic videos (some guys in this modern age actually set up the videocam and film their own suicides). What particular aspect of the videos and examinations led you to this sweeping comment that you’re never conscious for the moment of impact? A judo expert exerting his will on someone’s throat is a bizarre analogy to bring up. What if your judo expert was up against another and so cocked his neck and flexed the proper muscles to protect those sensitive zones? Further, what if he backflipped off the podium and ass-kicked his way out of there? How do your theories explain that? Back to the OP: Personally, and for partially undefinable reasons, I’d prefer being shot. Somehow, getting solidly smacked to cause death seems more natural than having your neck yanked. Maybe it’s the fact that i’ve been hit plenty in life but haven’t had my neck yanked - death by hard hit just feels more indigenous\*. \*reminds me of studies i read of but can’t find cites for that show more people are afraid of heights than speed, even though way more people die nowadays due to excessive speed rather than excessive height. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/47 "2006-11-06T06:48:32Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] So why don’t we agree to disagree. When a judo nidan chokes you out, it takes so short an interval that you cannot experience conscious thought; unless he takes great effort to choke you slowly, in which case you might have those eight to fifteen seconds. [/quote] [These people](http://www.judoinfo.com/chokes5.htm) disagree with you: > [@](#): > > If the carotid artery hold is properly applied, unconsciousness occurs in approximately 10 seconds (8-14 seconds). After release, the subject regains consciousness spontaneously in 10-20 seconds. I don’t wish to continue this hijack any further than necessary, so I’ll only note that this [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangulation) article with an extensive list of references says more or less the same thing about chokeholds: > [@](#): > > The reported time from application to unconsciousness varies from 8-14 seconds in effectively applied chokeholds to one minute in some other cases, with death occurring minutes after unconsciousness. I’m going to bow out at this point, but if you’d like to continue this discussion in a more appropriate venue elsewhere, I’d be happy to. 🙂 [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/48 "2006-11-06T10:20:55Z")
[QUOTE=bob\_loblaw] actually, i am not. but i can’t do anything about the fact that it exists places where i don’t get a vote. [/QUOTE] You are punishing me by not using capital letters. ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/49 "2006-11-06T10:35:51Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] [I’m going to bow out at this point, but if you’d like to continue this discussion in a more appropriate venue elsewhere, I’d be happy to. 🙂 [/hijack] [/QUOTE] Naah, I’d rather not. Let’s agree to disagree. ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/50 "2006-11-06T10:46:24Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] For whatever reason, death by firing squad has been or is considered a bit more honorable than hanging. [/QUOTE] hanging is seen as a common criminal’s execution, whereas a firing squad is seen as a soldier’s death. Herman Goering made this argument when he begged not be hung. I’d rather be shot - and to do so pondering the irony that a nation celebrating its’ ascention to democacy and the supposedly civilised world does so by executing one of its’ own citizens (albeit a sonofabitch). mm ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/51 "2006-11-06T11:24:14Z")
[QUOTE=Fiveyearlurker] Firing squad somehow seems less humiliating. [/QUOTE] That’s it for me too, although I’ve an idea that a few bullets through my torso will finish me off quicker than a botched hanging. Although, with Hussein, what’re the odds the firing squad all aim for the groin? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/52 "2006-11-06T13:52:23Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Firing squad, but I think I’d prefer the Soviet method. When I’m being led out of my cell one day for exercise, hidden behind the door is a man with a pistol. As I turn down the hall, one bullet behind the ear. Quick, efficient and no chance to tense up. [/QUOTE] That **is** one Soviet method of execution. Another is being fed, alive & feet first, into a crematory furnace. You should have specified. I mean, _before_ we filled out the forms. Ah! _Too bad…_ Barbecue, anyone? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/53 "2006-11-06T14:11:44Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] Another is being fed, alive & feet first, into a crematory furnace. [/QUOTE] I’m curious. Can you tell me where you read this piece of information? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/54 "2006-11-06T14:15:16Z")
[QUOTE=Chez Guevara] I’m curious. Can you tell me where you read this piece of information? [/QUOTE] A volume entitled _a History Of Espionage_. It was a penalty carried out for treason/espionage. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/55 "2006-11-06T14:58:30Z")
Thank you. Would that be _Hidden Secrets: The Complete History of Espionage and the Technology Used to Support It_ by David Owen & Antonio J. Mendez or _The Enemy Within: A History of Espionage_ by Terry Crowdy. I ask because I have an interest in the history of the Soviet Union and I haven’t come across such a book. Not that I’ve looked very assiduously. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/56 "2006-11-06T15:55:25Z")
I would definately take being shot over being hung. To continue the above slight hijack, I think that if I were on a firing squad I could tell if the round in my rifle was live or a blank by the sound and recoil when I fired. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/57 "2006-11-06T16:20:56Z")
[QUOTE=Chez Guevara] Thank you. Would that be _Hidden Secrets: The Complete History of Espionage and the Technology Used to Support It_ by David Owen & Antonio J. Mendez or _The Enemy Within: A History of Espionage_ by Terry Crowdy. I ask because I have an interest in the history of the Soviet Union and I haven’t come across such a book. Not that I’ve looked very assiduously. [/QUOTE] I…don’t remember. :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/58 "2006-11-06T16:37:43Z")
online reference here. [http://www.espionageinfo.com/Ke-Lo/KGB-Komitet-Gosudarstvennoi-Bezopasnosti-USSR-Committee-of-State-Security.html](http://www.espionageinfo.com/Ke-Lo/KGB-Komitet-Gosudarstvennoi-Bezopasnosti-USSR-Committee-of-State-Security.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/59 "2006-11-06T16:40:26Z")
wiki reference > **[Death by burning | Modern burnings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_by_burning#Modern_burnings)** > > In the modern era, deaths by burning are largely extrajudicial in nature. These killings may be committed by mobs, small numbers of criminals, or paramilitary groups. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2006, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182/60 "2006-11-06T16:42:58Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > ALL THE REST died unconscious because of the nearly instant results on the brain of carotid compression. When you place that noose around your neck, or that bedsheet, or that dog chain, and you loop it over the garage beam / top of the door / door handle, and bend your knees, step off the chair, or just kneel, from the moment it cinches up over your neck, you are unconscious. All the “strangling” comes from carotid pressure. Just so you know, for your work, that last bit doesn’t seem as ironclad as you state it nor the requirement of 12 to 15 feet for the drop. [From emedecine](http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic227.htm): > [@](#): > > The pathophysiology of morbidity and mortality from strangulation injuries is controversial and varied, except in classical judicial hangings. In a judicial hanging, the drop is at least as long as the height of the victim and the hanging is complete. > [snip] > \* Venous obstruction, leading to cerebral stagnation, hypoxia, and unconsciousness, which allows muscle tone relaxation and final arterial and airway obstruction > > ``` > * Arterial spasm due to carotid pressure, leading to low cerebral blood flow and collapse > > * Vagal collapse, caused by pressure to the carotid sinuses and increased parasympathetic tone > > ``` Interestingly enough, that article also brings up judo strangle holds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-hanging-or-firing-squad-which-would-you-choose/379182.md?page=4)