Archived If someone has an artificial heart, how do you tell whether or not they're dead? (Showerthoughts)
submitted ago by tame
Posted by: tame
Posting time: 5.3 years ago on
Last edit time: never edited.
Archived on: 2/12/2017 1:51:00 AM
Views: 82
SCP: 5
6 upvotes, 1 downvotes (86% upvoted it)
~2 user(s) here now
NSFW: No
Authorized: No
Anon: No
Private: No
Type: Default
Archived If someone has an artificial heart, how do you tell whether or not they're dead? (Showerthoughts)
submitted ago by tame
Sort: Top
[–] Kleyno 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
Well, the lack of breathing would probably be a sure sign...
[–] tame [S] ago
They could just be resting! ...and holding their breath... >.>
[–] Kleyno 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I see you've taken lesson from Sergeant Moue.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
[–] tame [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Yeah, in a clinical setting there are a range of indicators that we use these days. I was thinking more in a "you notice someone lying on the ground" scenario. The second thing you do when finding an unresponsive person (after seeing if they're breathing) is check their pulse.
[–] hyperoperation 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
What qualifies someone as dead versus alive is an interesting question. There is no clear cut line. I think brain activity is the best indicator, but people can have no activity for short periods and still come back. I don't think there is such thing as alive or dead, we are all just rotting meat sacks waiting for our turn to expire.
[–] tame [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I think that's a really interesting answer, and you're not alone in your position here.
[–] hyperoperation 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Good read. He makes a really good point:
Instead of saying living or dead it seems more accurate to just compare things based on complexity. Humans are very complex, bugs are sortof complex, rocks are not complex, etc.