killing your characters correctly
TRANSCRIPT
CPR is not magic don’t give up so soon!
it’s not pretty (rib cracking)
do NOT defibrillate a flatline!
Getting your character into a coma
• a severe head injury • seizure• infection involving the brain• brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen
for too long (eg. cardiac arrest)• an overdose of medicine or other drugs.• a stroke• chemical imbalances (in the body from
other illnesses eg. low blood sugar, organ failure)
Getting your character out of a coma
Much trickier!(especially if you want him/her unscathed)
Keep in mind these factors:• the cause (drug overdose vs. hypoxia or
stroke)• the “depth” (give a few signs of being
higher on the Glasgow coma scale)• the duration (the longer he remains in
coma, the worse his chances)
Knife Wounds
The most lethal wounds that can be made with a knife?
• between the cervical vertebrae (sever spinal cord)
• across the neck—slice through the carotid arteries and the trachea
• into the heart• lungs/chest—maybe • abdomen—maybe
Knife Wounds
Knife injuries that look bad but may be survivable?
• limbs• shoulder• chest• abdomen—if you miss the aorta• or almost anywhere—anything is possible!
Poison
• Cyanide• Strychnine• Arsenic• Ricin• Warfarin & Heparin• Morphine & Opiates• Potassium Chloride• Botulinum Toxin
Heart Attacks & Heart DiseaseSymptoms of a heart attack:• chest pressure/heaviness/pain• pain that radiates to left arm or
jaw• shortness of breath• lightheadedness• nausea• diaphoresis (sweaty)• palpitations
Risk factors:• high blood
pressure• high cholesterol• smoking• diabetes• family history• obesity• sedentary
Deadly InfectionsInfection Fatality rate
(if untreated)Treatment available?
Rabies 100% yes (post-exposure vaccination)
Ebola 83-90% no
Smallpox 95% no
Anthrax 93% yes (antibiotics)
Bubonic Plague 60% yes (antibiotics)
Yellow Fever 20-50% no
Anaphylaxis & Allergies
What kinds of things tend to cause fatal allergic reactions?-foods (nuts, shellfish, eggs)-iodine-insect stings (yellow jacket wasps, honeybees)-antibiotics-local anaesthetic
What does an allergic reaction look like?-rash/hives-difficulty breathing, swallowing, speaking-tongue, lip, eye swelling-lightheadedness-passing out
Common errors & annoyances:• the panic that ensues
when a woman’s water breaks
• speed labor (especially for first labor)
• clean & pretty labor• amazing recovery
after
Opportunities:• delivery in inconvenient
places: elevators, cars, the sidewalk outside the hospital, etc.
• bleeding, infection• home births, water
births • breech• twins• almost any disaster you
can think of
Where to get more help?
Online resources (see handout)LibraryTalk to an expert• physician• other health care professional• university prof• science writer/copyeditor/fact
checker• me: Kim Foster
email: [email protected]: www.kimfoster.com