ReWind

ReWind

Member
Aug 2, 2020
30
I have been thinking about this method since it seems to require less effort of overcoming the S.I. than jumping or decapitation by train, it could be easily be paired with a second method such as pills or partial suspension and the use of multiple crossbows would negate many of the drawbacks(see what I did there) . As a disclaimer: I am not well-versed when it comes to crossbows and if you're considering this method DO NOT use this post as a resource.
Leaving all that aside let us get to the practicalities of things.

There have been successful suicides by crossbow and the crossbow presents multiple advantages over other methods:

Cheaper than guns
Way easier to buy compared to N, SN and firearms depending on your area
Fully capable of penetrating a human skull
Silent


"A crossbow suicide
Laura Panata*, Massimo Lancia, Alessandra Persichini, Sergio Scalise Pantuso, Mauro Bacci

ABSTRACT
The crossbow is an ancient ranged weapon originally conceived for war and hunting. Although nowadays its use in warfare has been surpassed by firearms, it continues to be used in hunting, sports and recreation. The authors present the case of a 40-year-old man who suffered from severe depression. When his condition further deteriorated, doctors ordered a forced hospitalization but, just a few hours before the measure became effective, the man committed suicide using a crossbow. The autopsy and police investigation showed possession of the crossbow darts which the man used to shoot himself in the head. The forensic pathologist found the dart stuck in the skull: the entry wound was in the suprahyoid region while the arrow tip emerged in the left parietal region meaning the arrow crossed the tongue, the middle fossa, the brain and the cranial wall. All the wounds presented a three-pointed star shape consistent with the three sharp blades of the dart. An extensive blood infiltration affected the subdural and subarachnoid space, particularly where the dart had passed. The severe brain injury, extensive subdural and subarachnoid bleeding and brain swelling following the trauma caused the death. Even though the use of the crossbow is only permitted in sporting/hunting contexts, the reported case highlights the sharp contrast between its potential for harm and the easy access to this kind of weapon, even for those affected by mental illness. © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved."

There are downsides to this method tough as the full article mentions:

Low kinetic energy meaning it will do less damage than a firearm
The arrow acts like a plug and can slow the bleeding


There have been failed attempts too with the crossbow.

"Attempted suicide with a crossbow
X. Dubernard, C. Dutheil, V. Legros
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Airway management and control of bleeding are essential aspects of the management of attempted suicide involving the head and neck. Attempted suicide using a crossbow is exceptional. The patient's respiratory status, the position of the crossbow bolt in the head and neck, the type of bolt and its exit wound required airway management that has not been previously reported in the literature. Case report: This conscious patient had attempted suicide by shooting a crossbow bolt to the head. The radiological assessment (contrast-enhanced CT scan) did not reveal any vascular, ophthalmological or neurological lesions. The submental entry wound of the bolt avoided any damage to the lingual and ethmoidal arteries,laminapapyracea, or frontallobe. The boltinducedmechanicaltrismus anditsposition limited access to the base of the neck, preventing orotracheal intubation. Nasotracheal intubation and primary tracheotomy were also difficult in this situation. It was therefore decided to remove the bolt while the patient was still conscious, rapidly followed by intubation, with no complications. Conclusion: In attempted suicide by crossbow involving the head and neck, airway management depends on the possibility of exposure of the glottis, the bolt exit wound and safe access to the anterior neck. © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved."
The attempt above failed because of bad aim(possible because of the recoil?).

The plan I have been thinking about might sound a bit overkill, but I would rather have that than a botched attempt.
Purchase 4-5 crossbows and tie them down to furniture, poles, wooden beams, whatever you can find, aim them to different parts of your brain and to your heart, strap yourself down to a chair and put on some neck bracers(if an arrow hits sooner than others that should prevent your head from moving too much and ruining the aim) and find a way to shoot all the crossbows at the same time using some sort of mechanism, I have been thinking about using a LEGO+Arduino combo for the timer and trigger pressing mechanism.
Shooting all the crossbows at once poses the greatest challenge, so all suggestions are welcome when it comes to solving this issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pthnrdnojvsc
autumnal

autumnal

Enlightened
Feb 4, 2020
1,950
I have been thinking about this method since it seems to require less effort of overcoming the S.I. than jumping or decapitation by train, it could be easily be paired with a second method such as pills or partial suspension and the use of multiple crossbows would negate many of the drawbacks(see what I did there) . As a disclaimer: I am not well-versed when it comes to crossbows and if you're considering this method DO NOT use this post as a resource.
Leaving all that aside let us get to the practicalities of things.

There have been successful suicides by crossbow and the crossbow presents multiple advantages over other methods:

Cheaper than guns
Way easier to buy compared to N, SN and firearms depending on your area
Fully capable of penetrating a human skull
Silent




There are downsides to this method tough as the full article mentions:

Low kinetic energy meaning it will do less damage than a firearm
The arrow acts like a plug and can slow the bleeding


There have been failed attempts too with the crossbow.


The attempt above failed because of bad aim(possible because of the recoil?).

The plan I have been thinking about might sound a bit overkill, but I would rather have that than a botched attempt.
Purchase 4-5 crossbows and tie them down to furniture, poles, wooden beams, whatever you can find, aim them to different parts of your brain and to your heart, strap yourself down to a chair and put on some neck bracers(if an arrow hits sooner than others that should prevent your head from moving too much and ruining the aim) and find a way to shoot all the crossbows at the same time using some sort of mechanism, I have been thinking about using a LEGO+Arduino combo for the timer and trigger pressing mechanism.
Shooting all the crossbows at once poses the greatest challenge, so all suggestions are welcome when it comes to solving this issue.

This whole idea sounds pretty implausible and ridiculous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Done at Fifty, Jeremy, Lorntroubles and 1 other person
H

HadEnough1974

I try to be funny...
Jan 14, 2020
684
This whole idea sounds pretty implausible and ridiculous.

Ah, don't you miss the MythBusters? I can see them coming up with a crossbow suicide setup just to prove that it's not a good idea.

Jumping into a river with alligators is more likely to kill you. Crossbow method, nice try...I just don't see it working as planned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: autumnal
racek

racek

Member
Mar 29, 2020
47
Once i purchased crossbow from cech republic ( because there is legal) to my country ( wanting to create pedestal with cord tied to the trigger but i didnt even unpack the parcel and i returned it to the shop. I saw how powerful this might be with watermelon and upgraded arrowhead
 
Thinking

Thinking

Specialist
Jul 9, 2020
310
It sounds badass but sadly quite unlikely
 
  • Like
Reactions: Meditation guide and Toobrokentofix
racek

racek

Member
Mar 29, 2020
47
@Thinking i dont understand. Since middle ages people have been using bows/crossbows to kill each other and you say its unlikely?
 
Thinking

Thinking

Specialist
Jul 9, 2020
310
@Thinking i dont understand. Since middle ages people have been using bows/crossbows to kill each other and you say its unlikely?
I guess I just mean it sounds difficult to pull off. In my mind I imagine the scene you described like a scene from a movie or video game, too fantastical for real life. I suppose it would actually be doable, just a lot of finessing
 
  • Like
Reactions: autumnal
racek

racek

Member
Mar 29, 2020
47
@Thinking heh, finessing word reminds me about fallout new vegas pc game. Honestly i dont want or i am not capable to kill myself. its only desperate attempt to fill this forced need by society on me and there was result: purchasing stuff and then returning it. most people just want to vanish/dissappear in difficult times because they cant deal with some emotions that push them to move because emotions are associated with motion =/
 
Thinking

Thinking

Specialist
Jul 9, 2020
310
@Thinking heh, finessing word reminds me about fallout new vegas pc game. Honestly i dont want or i am not capable to kill myself. its only desperate attempt to fill this forced need by society on me and there was result: purchasing stuff and then returning it. most people just want to vanish/dissappear in difficult times because they cant deal with some emotions that push them to move because emotions are associated with motion =/
It's so true. Every time I decide on a method I get excited and then panicky and scared to order the materials, let alone actually go through with it. Literally the only thing keeping me alive is a close friend who I love very much. She doesn't know I'm suicidal but I suspect she is suicidal, though to what extent I'm not sure. It's a shame because it'd be so much easier if we could ctb together.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Meditation guide
T

trigzter

Member
Aug 9, 2019
50
I dont believe this to be possible without a ton of hours of studying. It sounds like something from saw
 
  • Like
Reactions: autumnal
NekoNomNom

NekoNomNom

There is no right to heal the wrong
May 3, 2020
248
Guys, it's fine. We just need to hire Peter Dinklage, and we'll be set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: autumnal
TAW122

TAW122

Emissary of the right to die.
Aug 30, 2018
6,813
I've thought about CTB via projectiles and I believe that perhaps a bow and arrow might be easier than to set up multiple crossbows? Yes, I know while a crossbow is more powerful, obtaining it versus getting a bow with arrows might be a bit more of a hassle as there are some states and municipal laws that might limit or restrict their usage.

Also, I'm no expert in bows and arrows, but I assume the draw strength of a bow is much less than a crossbow, making it easier for people who aren't physically fit or built to draw it versus a crossbow (which is anywhere between 80-100 lbs or sometimes around 150 lbs)?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ReWind
Thinking

Thinking

Specialist
Jul 9, 2020
310
Well. Once i had conversations with a guy that wanted to be dead as well. I offered him to shoot arrows at this same time but he chickened
Haha it's like Spy vs. Spy (have you heard of that cartoon?). I guess ultimately you can only really rely on yourself that's the problem with partner ctb's
 
  • Like
Reactions: autumnal
J

Jeremy

Member
Jul 11, 2019
32
I applaud the creativity, but second the opinion that it's wildly impractical and ridiculous. Also, in most places, far and away more expensive and difficult to source/set up than SN or even a regular gun. Anyone who tells you that buying 4 or 5 crossbows is cheaper than a gun hasn't done their research .
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Aap, CarbonMonoxide and autumnal
racek

racek

Member
Mar 29, 2020
47
@Thinking yeah, only creating pedestal by yourself
@Jeremy i dont know about regular gun but black powder gun has similar price as crossbow
 
J

Jeremy

Member
Jul 11, 2019
32
@Thinking yeah, only creating pedestal by yourself
@Jeremy i dont know about regular gun but black powder gun has similar price as crossbow
Yes, a black powder gun may have a similar price as one crossbow - not *4 or 5* crossbows.
 
J

JustLosingMyself

Mage
Sep 4, 2018
544
Not that silly.
A 150lbs crossbow is not that hard to cock. The better ones either come with a crank or an arming lever.
Top the bolt with a good quality 2" large/dangerous game broadhead and you're in business.
Budget: crossbow €700 upwards
Bolt €15-20
Broadhead € 15 - 20
You'll need a few of these... they're unlikely to survive test shots.

Add some contraption to hold the crossbow in place while you remote fire it.

I wouldn't aim for the skull, but the heart area.
 
  • Love
Reactions: ReWind

Similar threads

Rational Actor
Replies
2
Views
198
Suicide Discussion
an alien
an alien
willitpass
Replies
181
Views
11K
Suicide Discussion
pandorasactor
pandorasactor
U
Replies
21
Views
1K
Suicide Discussion
Lady Laudanum
Lady Laudanum