# My Brother Shot Himself **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 16, 2016, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896 "2016-05-16T05:05:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tigerland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Tigerland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigerland)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/1 "2016-05-16T05:05:55Z")
My brother shot himself in the chest with birdshot I believe #7 birdshot. The police told my mom that he died instantly and my dad believes that as well, but I don’t. I figure my brother lived a good 10 seconds or so, long enough to regret what he did. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Please don’t be cruel. I’ve been through enough already. If you have cruel thoughts or something mean to say, please keep it to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/2 "2016-05-16T05:19:48Z")
There’s probably really no way to know, maybe one could surmise depending on the final position of his body, but somehow I doubt he suffered much, it was probably a fairly quick death. I’m sure you are still in shock and sometimes that makes a person fixate on morose details of a death like this, try not to worry about it too much as there is nothing to be gained by this knowledge and it isn’t a healthy thing to go over it again and again in your head, really you’ll never know for sure. You have my sympathy, and I hope you and your parents can come together and support one another emotionally in this difficult time. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/3 "2016-05-16T05:34:13Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/4 "2016-05-16T05:35:43Z")
A traumatic and fatal impact like that to the chest would cause death by disabling the heart. I asked my cardiologist how I will die if I have heart failure or a heart attack at home alone when a response cannot be summoned. He said when the brain stops receiving renewed oxygenated blood from the heart-driven circulatory system, I will go into a coma, and then die from brain death. The heart itself has no pain receptors, which is why he could perform my angioplasty without general anesthesia. I’m sorry to say that I think your brother would have lived, with consciousness, until the brain went comatose from the failure of the heart to continue to nourish it. No idea whether ten seconds, or more or less, would be a valid estimate. Maybe about as long ss it would take to suffocate if air were cut off. “Instant death” is, I suspect, a vague term used by authorities to indicate that the patient’s life was mercifully short after the trauma, but how many seconds it might entail is likely something subjective. ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/5 "2016-05-16T06:06:07Z")
Sorry to hear about this. Condolences and may he RIP. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/6 "2016-05-16T06:10:15Z")
A few relevant posts: [How long to die from puncture? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=650313) ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/7 "2016-05-16T06:15:51Z")
To be honest, I think going down this particular rabbit hole has no chance of helping you to cope with this tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/8 "2016-05-16T06:20:24Z")
I suspect **Tigerland** may be worried about the religious aspects (that mention of regretting his action). I have no idea what religion you are, but the RCC, that hotbed of radical novelties, does not consider suicide as a major sin any more. It used to be considered a huge sin (to the point where sucides could not be buried in holy ground) because it was viewed as a rejection of the Divine Mercy, but nowadays it is considered to be an act of pain performed by someone who is not wholly responsible for his own actions: since “not responsible”, “not a sin”. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/9 "2016-05-16T06:31:54Z")
Per Nava here is the wiki [Christian views on suicide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_views_on_suicide) > [@](#): > > Modern Catholicism[edit] > > See also: Declaration on Euthanasia > > According to the theology of the Catholic Church, death by suicide is considered a grave or serious sin. The chief Catholic Christian argument is that one’s life is the property of God and a gift to the world, and to destroy that life is to wrongly assert dominion over what is God’s and is a tragic loss of hope. > > In points 2281 and 2325 of the Catechism it is stated: > 2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God. > 2325 Suicide is seriously contrary to justice, hope, and charity. It is forbidden by the fifth commandment. > > The 1997 Catechism of the Catholic Church indicated that the person who committed suicide may not always be fully right in their mind; and thus not one-hundred-percent morally culpable: “Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.” The Catholic Church prays for those who have committed suicide, knowing that Christ shall judge the deceased fairly and justly. The Church also prays for the close relations of the deceased, that the loving and healing touch of God will comfort those torn apart by the impact of the suicide. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/10 "2016-05-16T06:44:27Z")
**Tigerland** - my sincerest condolences. and it takes less than an instant for a thought to cross a mind… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/11 "2016-05-16T07:00:14Z")
**Moderator Action** I think this will do better in IMHO where people can give advice on how to deal with the situation as well. Moving thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/12 "2016-05-16T13:40:33Z")
My experience is that when one is suddenly exposed to great physical trauma, the brain focuses entirely on the physical aspects of the situation at hand. There is no contemplation or reflection on what may have led to the situation, and generally no pain or suffering in the first few moments. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/13 "2016-05-16T13:42:31Z")
Very sorry for your loss, **Tigerland**. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/14 "2016-05-16T21:58:22Z")
Sympathies and regrets for your loss. I’d say just don’t worry about it. The exact details of his death are just not worth your concern. For what it’s worth, ten seconds is a very short time, and then it’s over. So, even if you’re right…it doesn’t have much meaning in any higher sense. Take the worst pain you’ve ever been in, in your entire life… Ten seconds? Okay…1, 2, 3, … it’s over. (Not like passing a kidney stone, which can last for hours and hours…) Remember the good times, celebrate his accomplishments, rejoice in the life he lived. Perhaps “pay it forward” by giving your support to suicide prevention organizations. Celebrate life, even those lives that we have lost. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/15 "2016-05-16T23:15:52Z")
The thing about the worst pain you can imagine is that your brain’s ability to interpret pain maxes out pretty early. And so stubbing your toe and getting your toe chopped off are about the same level of pain. The only difference is that after a minute the pain from the stubbed toe starts to go away. The problem with debilitating pain is that it never goes away. So faced with an injury that renders you unconscious in a very short time, the amount of pain you can suffer is limited. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/16 "2016-05-16T23:38:58Z")
I am very sorry for your loss. If you want an answer on what #7 will do to someone - under spoiler. [spoiler] Assume a 12 gauge shotgun (most common), a blast at close range is going to open a hole and go through the organs pretty easily. There is a fair amount of power and pressure created (this is how so called “blanks” can kill you). I do a demonstration using #6 in my shotgun class, and it usually includes a 10 foot distance shot to show how at 10 feet the power has only grown to the size of a small soda can. If pushed against the chest, all of the power of the shot will be focused at the size of the barrel. So he should have died very close to instantly depending on where he placed the barrel.[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/17 "2016-05-17T00:45:46Z")
> [@Tigerland](#): > > Can anyone confirm or deny this? Your first post on the Board. I’m sorry he’s dead. If he’s dead, then whats there to confirm or deny? I’m not sure what you’re grasping for here. If you are in the Chicago area, have you considered [grief counselling](http://www.griefcounselor.org/)? ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/18 "2016-05-17T00:54:25Z")
I really have no idea, but I will say that any momentary physical pain was probably a drop in the barrel compared to his emotional pain. I’m so sorry for all of you. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/19 "2016-05-17T01:08:57Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > My experience is that when one is suddenly exposed to great physical trauma, the brain focuses entirely on the physical aspects of the situation at hand. There is no contemplation or reflection on what may have led to the situation, and generally no pain or suffering in the first few moments. I would agree with this. A shotgun blast to the chest is an enormous physical and sensory shock. I would imagine the person would be severely stunned and in shock, and would not regain awareness before losing consciousness entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896/20 "2016-05-17T01:21:37Z")
Even without any shot in the shell the shock wave from the blast would likely have stunned his nervous system rendering him unconscious much like being struck in the head would with a blunt object. Sorry for your loss. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-shot-himself/754896.md?page=2)