The Crocodile Hunter died from a stingray poke to the heart. I think I remember it being said that he died instantly, FWIW.
Sorry you have to go through this.
I’m so, so sorry for your loss.
(I too lost a brother to suicide, please know you’re not alone.)
I think you need to talk to a counselor if you’re thinking this. Really, his manner of going doesn’t matter, the fact that he felt the need to go is what is important. Of course you’re stunned and upset. Perhaps it was the best thing for him; perhaps it was not. We do not know. Hugs.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Unfortunately, I think your brother almost certainly retained consciousness for some time - maybe half a minute or so - after being shot. The brain would retain consciousness as long as there was sufficient blood oxygen in the brain, and I cannot see how getting shot in the chest would instantly cause the brain to be starved of oxygen, due to residual blood and O2 still in the bloodstream.
I read an interview with the cameraman who was filming with the Crocodile Hunter, he did not die instantly, he was pulled back into the boat and was able to talk. The cameraman kept trying to tell Steve to hang on for his family and such, but the guy had like a two inch hole in his chest just gushing blood. He knew he was a goner and his last words were something to the effect of I’m not going to make it.
Velocity: I think you’re wrong. Massive blood loss, by itself, would lead to unconsciousness far more rapidly than you are describing. With all the other complications, ten seconds is more likely…and less than that is more likely yet.
I agree with this. As much as I would love to alleviate the OP’s pain about her brother’s suffering, I think the reality is that he did suffer but “only” for a minute or so.
I do not however think that the brother was regretting anything in the seconds between gun shot and death. His pain IMO was not psychological but was most likely focused on the physical.
Many hugs to the OP.
I agree that s/he needs to seek counseling, although s/he needs to do it when s/he is ready.
Tigerland, I think I understand your question. If your brother committed suicide, his death is horrible and traumatic for you. His final seconds were probably cushioned by a combination of shock and adrenaline. His last seconds were possibly quite lucid, but probably not horribly painful.
I’m sorry that you are in this situation. The guilt and anger and despair you feel will ease. It won’t be easy, but it will get better. I hope you find peace. It doesn’t seem likely now, but it’s possible. Really. Please consider finding a support group, or counseling, or such. If that can’t happen, send me a private message here. I’m not a professional, I can’t counsel you, but I can see from this side of the chasm what you might face after a sibling’s suicide.
Tigerland - I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure your brother regretted it the whole time it was happening. I’m sure he regretted how much pain this would cause you and your family.
Take care of your self, now. I hope you find someone who has been through this themselves to help you through it, too.
Just in case the OP comes back to read:
We buried my little sister a few days before her 25th birthday. She struggled with depression for years before her death. All available medical interventions were at her disposal. Those weren’t enough to overcome her despair and her pain.
That was 1998. I’ve wondered unreasonably whether I could have stopped her. I couldn’t have. I would give anything short of my child or hers to have prevented her death, but none of the sacrifices I could have offered would have cured her depression. I spent desperate months trying to blame someone - her husband, her in-laws, myself, anyone. Today, I realize that was a normal, insane stage of grief. It was terrible. I can only ask that you be more gentle with yourself. You won’t be, but you deserve it. You don’t deserve the blame that you will assume.
For all of that, my family has been tempered by this terrible fire. This past Friday, my sister’s little girl got married. She is a beautiful, fierce woman. My mother has lived through the worst thing. My brother and I have learned that we are allowed to seek help when our demons get too loud - it’s an illness, not a character flaw.
I’m so very sorry that your brother wasn’t able to find some other solution. It wasn’t his fault, and it wasn’t yours. I hope that you are able to see that sooner than I did. Peace to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. One of my college buddies hanged himself. I can only imagine your torment.
I do not believe in life after death. But I have found some strange comfort in the medical science that may explain the near death experience, and give us an insight into what death is like. Basically, it’s my understanding that the brain, in the midst of expiring, surges with activity, generating a very warm, peaceful, calming passage.
This is what people who have a “near death” experience are referencing, and may in fact be what we all experience when we die. So, your brother really did float above his body towards a warm light, and he felt at peace with the experience, without fear, worry, or regret, when he passed on.
And this is coming from a cynic who doesn’t believe in God.
I talked a couple of months ago with a man who had a leg blown off by a land mine in Cambodia whenn he was 20. He said it hurt like hell, but he knew what had happened to him, he knew it was a mine and his leg was gone, and at first remained lucid, but while being carried out to medical help (several hours), he drifted in and out of consciousness.
I would expect a blow to the chest to have a similar immediate effect, for the first few moments. The difference after a few moments would be not from the trauma, but the loss of function of a vital organ.