Amputate Your Arm
 

Trapped man attempts to sever his own arm to survive - Jun 2010

New York (CNN) -- Trapped in the basement by a broken furnace for three days, and the only hope for survival is to cut off your own arm. Metz had been trapped in his basement for two days when he smelled rotting flesh and realized his only hope to stay alive was to amputate his left arm, which was trapped by a furnace. So he made a tourniquet just below his shoulder and sawed through 90 percent of his arm before he passed out.

According to West Hartford Fire Chief Matt Stuart, rescuers ripped apart the furnace using heavy tools and completed the amputation. The arm could not be reattached because of infection. "His arm was dying, and once that happens, you release toxins, and he did mention the smell, so he knew something wasn't right," explained Dr. Scott Ellner.

The doctors said there a nerve probably got in the way of Metz finishing the amputation. He will have to undergo a few more surgeries to make the arm viable for a prosthetic. Dr. David Shapiro was inspired by Metz's actions, saying, "The way that he did it was frightening, admirable, horrifying, brave and just amazing to us."

Metz was trying to repair the furnace when he got trapped. Drinking water leaking from the furnace helped keep him alive.

LINK

:2 cents: Gotta do what ya gotta do I guess. Pretty hardcore though. Wonder how many people in that situation would have just curled up and died instead.

I heard about this guy. I can't imagine cutting off my own arm. I have no idea if I could do it or not if I was in a situation like he was in.

That's strong will to live.
But I bet he wouldn't sacrifice his middle leg.

I wonder how he was finally found.

Neighbors noticed he was missing for a few days.

There was another story of a guy travelling in some sort of wilderness, can't remember what exactly, that got his arm lodged between two big rocks or something... sawed the fucker off and made it back to civilization

Yeah, a lone hiker in the Grand Canyon. Couple years ago. Cut his own arm off with a pocket knife.

The instict to do anything to stay alive overcomes fuck this is going to hurt.

Your level of hardcore has to go up based on your surrounding environment. Like, if he had been trapped by his furnace at the top of a mountain in freezing temps, cutting it off is only the first step. Then you have to prevent yourself from bleeding to death or going into shock. Then if there's no quick way out or help coming, you may have to actually eat your own arm.

best thread title ever. LOL

No that is a disturbing thought.:Oh crap

that is crazy

Not very pleasant, I concur. But if there's nothing else and you're alone, it's live or die. I would recommend in that situation, being decisive & quick before it's too far gone to be of any use, trying to cut off hunks that don't have infection, and if possible, getting a small fire going to cook the meat.

Let's face it, you're probably not going to be able to do much hunting or trapping in that condition.

EDIT: I mean try cook it so it will last longer and not go rotten. Not for taste.

LOL :winkwink:

A teacher told you to "ampute your head" before didn't she, and that's why the username ??

I seem to remember you posting that years ago. Unless i'm totally wrong lol.

No, I originally began using it as a constant reminder to myself to stop over-thinking things. It never worked out that way though.... lol

Hmmm, what the hell am i thinking about then haha!