.38 Caliber Suicide Attempt Survivor

[308Mike]

Here's something to think about when considering the relative powers of handguns. A .38 to the head doesn't automatically ensure death of the target. After all, he was able to motion to someone that he needed help, even with a bullet lodged in his brain. This is from today's NPS Morning Report:

Blue Ridge Parkway
Attempted Suicide Victim Found, Hospitalized

On the evening of January 31st, rangers were notified that a man had been found near the Frying Pan Ridge access who appeared to be in distress and had blood on his head. A U.S. Cellular contractor performing tower maintenance at the Frying Pan Ridge site found the man lying next to his vehicle. The man motioned to him for help, and the contractor went to his assistance. While doing so, he observed a revolver and the man's wallet lying next to him. He called 911 and relayed details of the incident. Rangers and EMS personnel responded. The 39-year-old Delaware man was taken to Mission Hospital and found to have a .38 caliber bullet lodged in his brain. It's still uncertain whether surgeons will attempt to remove the bullet or let it remain. The investigation is continuing.
[Submitted by Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]

[Cybrludite]

As always, shot placement matters. I've heard of folks going to auto-darwinate with a gun to the temple and end up "just" shooting their eyes out or giving themselves a leaden lobotomy and living. I've also heard of a case (from a cousin who's an ER doc back east) where a .45 ACP FMJ slug hit a guy square in the forehead, passed safely between the lobes of his brain, and out the back of his skull with little to no neurological damage. Weird things can happen, even on a head shot.

[Steamforger]

My dad was doing some maintenance on a laundry system in a prison and was chatting with an inmate who had a sprig of hair growing up and out the top of his head. Dad asked about it and was told that the guy came home from work, found the wife in a compromising position with some other guy, shot them both and then attempted to eat a bullet himself. The bullet exited the top of his skull causing no apparent CNS injuries. Other than the depression where they fixed his skull and the broccoli like protrusion of hair, dad said you couldn't tell he'd taken a bullet through the brain. Weird shit happens from time to time...

[rightisright]

Crap.

Now I have to reevaluate my Zombie Apocalypse Defense Plan.

[308Mike]

Crap.

Now I have to reevaluate my Zombie Apocalypse Defense Plan.

ALWAYS make sure you have a VERY large blade weapon, one which can take off heads - that ALWAYS works!

[Jered]

Crap.

Now I have to reevaluate my Zombie Apocalypse Defense Plan.

Shoot them, then follow up with a bayonet stab to the guts, and then a buttstroke to the head?

[workinwifdakids]

There are guys who walk away from jumps where the parachute and reserve fail, without any injuries. That's what outliers were invented for.

[Frankingun]

Crap.

Now I have to reevaluate my Zombie Apocalypse Defense Plan.

ALWAYS make sure you have a VERY large blade weapon, one which can take off heads - that ALWAYS works!

I always use a chainsaw attached to the Picatinny rail on my short-barreled AR.