How to Survive Being Buried Alive
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of surviving seemingly impossible situations, and one such scenario that has captured my attention is how to survive being buried alive. It may seem like a far-fetched notion, but throughout history, there have been cases of people being accidentally interred before their time. As a curious individual who loves exploring strange and unique survival strategies, I decided to research this topic and share my findings with you.
The fear of being buried alive may stem from the fact that it combines several common fears: darkness, claustrophobia, and the fear of death itself. While the likelihood of experiencing this dreadful situation is quite slim, preparing oneself with knowledge could potentially save a life – even if it’s just in the realm of fiction or hypothetical situations. In this article, I’ll be discussing various techniques and tips that could help a person overcome the obstacles of being buried alive and ultimately survive.
Understanding Premature Burial
Historical Cases
Premature burial has a long and horrifying history, with tales of people being buried alive possibly dating back to the time of the Irish Potato Famine in the 19th century. I’ve come across mentions of Jan Bondeson, a historian who researched stories of accidental burials from that time period, many of which were due to a lack of medical knowledge regarding the state of the victims.
One particularly famous – albeit rumored – case of premature burial is that of 20th-century magician Harry Houdini. While it is widely believed that Houdini died of peritonitis following a ruptured appendix, there are some who speculate that he might have actually succumbed to a staged burial accident gone wrong.
Medical Practices
Since accidental burials were not uncommon in the past, it’s important for me to discuss some of the medical practices that were in place to determine if a person was truly dead. In the 19th century, French doctor Eugène Bouchut developed a stethoscope to help determine the existence of a heartbeat, which remains a vital tool in modern medicine.
Before the stethoscope’s invention, however, doctors would sometimes resort to questionable and painful methods to verify death, such as inserting needles under the patient’s nails or applying hot irons to the skin. These practices would sometimes cause the patient to awaken, but sadly, not always in time to prevent being buried alive.
As medical science advanced, techniques for confirming death became more refined and accurate, reducing the risks of premature burial. However, it’s essential to be aware of this harrowing history and acknowledge the steps taken by medical professionals over time to improve their practices and ensure such tragedies are minimized in the present day.
How to Survive Being Buried Alive
Staying Calm
When I find myself buried alive, the first thing I need to do is stay calm. Panic attacks can increase my body’s demand for oxygen, which is limited in this situation. Taking slow and deep breaths can help me manage any emotions that may arise. By focusing on my breathing, I am better equipped mentally to find a way out.
Air Supply Conservation
In the confines of a coffin, my air supply is limited. If I am in a shallow grave, every breath I take would consume the oxygen and increase the concentration of carbon dioxide. Hyperventilating will rapidly deplete the already scarce oxygen. It is crucial for me to take slow, deep breaths to conserve my air supply and ensure I have ample time to escape.
Signal for Help
Once I have composed myself and my breathing is under control, I must attempt to communicate my situation to others. Tapping SOS on the coffin lid is a common method of signaling for help. Using a metallic object, I can tap three quick taps, followed by three slower taps, and then three quick taps again. Repeating this sequence can potentially attract someone’s attention and lead to a rescue.
Escape Techniques
My ability to escape primarily depends on the depth of my own grave, the type of coffin I am in, and some good luck. In a worst-case scenario, if I am in a metal-clad or hardwood coffin, the chances of breaking out independently are slim. In these cases, signaling for help is vital.
If the coffin is weaker or poorly constructed, there may be an opportunity for me to break through the lid or the sides. Before attempting this, I should ensure that the loose earth above me is not too deep because a sudden influx of dirt can be overwhelming and even lead to suffocation. Each situation is unique, but devising a plan and using available resources can be helpful in finding a way to freedom.
Ultimately, avoiding the situation altogether is ideal. Ensuring my family members and friends understand my wishes for a proper burial is one way to minimize the risk. Close monitoring of medical conditions can prevent premature burial as well. Though this scenario may seem remote or unlikely, being prepared for the worst consequences can serve me well.
Security Measures to Prevent Premature Burial
Safety Coffins
As someone who has researched this macabre topic, I’ve discovered that during the 18th and 19th centuries, the fear of being buried alive led to the invention of safety coffins. These coffins were designed with built-in mechanisms to provide accidentally buried persons a chance at survival. They often included features like bell systems or ventilation pipes, which could allow the person inside to signal for help or access fresh air.
Emergency Signals
In my quest to learn more about this subject, I’ve found that some modern-day security measures could also help prevent premature burial. For instance, having a cell phone with you in a coffin could allow you to call for help, assuming there’s a signal in the burial site. Additionally, wearable devices like an Apple Watch could potentially be used to trigger a distress signal. As a precaution, I recommend sharing your burial plans with trusted loved ones, particularly any arrangements involving safety devices or communication systems.
Medical Examination before Burial
Another important factor in preventing premature burial is ensuring that medical professionals thoroughly examine the body before declaring a person dead. In the past, protocols for declaring death involved somewhat unreliable methods, such as looking for signs of decay or testing pain responses with heated implements. Thankfully, modern medical examination techniques are far more accurate.
Nowadays, individuals who are pronounced dead are more likely to have undergone extensive medical care prior to being declared deceased. This could involve monitoring vital signs or the use of more advanced equipment, such as electrocardiograms or brain scans. It’s crucial to have a trustworthy medical examiner involved in the process to avoid any tragic mistakes.
Lastly, as a knowledgeable person, I advise staying informed and taking steps to ensure your safety in the unlikely event of being prematurely buried. These security measures, combined with modern medical practices, should greatly reduce the chances of experiencing this primal fear.
Historical and Modern Cases
19th Century Cases
In the 19th century, there were several cases of people being buried alive, often due to lack of medical knowledge and the inability to accurately determine whether someone was dead or merely unconscious. One famous case from this time is that of Essa Dunbar, who was mistakenly pronounced dead and buried in her grave. Fortunately, the loud noise from her coffin being forcefully opened saved her life, as it alerted the workers at the grave site. Dunbar’s sister had a feeling something was amiss and insisted on exhume her, and it turned out she was right.
Being buried alive in those days was a legitimate concern, and many people took precautions to avoid it. For example, they would be placed in cheap coffins or pine boxes, which would give victims a better chance at escaping if necessary. They would also have a bell tied to their hand, so if they woke up in their grave, they could ring it and alert someone nearby.
20th and 21st Century Cases
The advancements in medical technology in the 20th and 21st centuries have made cases of premature burial much rarer, but they still happen. One such case is the story of Nancy Rish, a woman who found herself mistakenly buried alive. Rish was fortunate that she had access to a few extra minutes of life in the form of an oxygen supply from a motorcycle ride she had taken earlier.
Thanks to the minimal weight of the earth above her and the air provided by her small oxygen source, Rish was able to break through the loose dirt, clawing her way to the surface. What she found waiting for her, though, was a severe phobia of enclosed spaces, which persists to this day.
Another example is that of Tim Hays, who was accidentally buried alive in a shallow grave. Hays was buried in a makeshift coffin beneath a heavy tree, with no air supply. Despite the lack of air, Hays lived to tell the tale. With every bit of strength and determination, he was able to break through the bottom of the coffin and reach the surface.
These extraordinary survival stories serve as a reminder that the fear of being buried alive is not entirely unreasonable. We can take solace in the fact that modern technology has evolved to a point where this rarely occurs. But even still, it is good to know that the human spirit and will to live can prove stronger than the weight of the earth above us.
