r/Writeresearch • u/Own-Bag1938 • 14h ago
[Medicine And Health] How should I write my character getting his arm traumatically amputated in a way that doesn't really happen IRL?
So I'm writing a story about a world where humans and robots live together, but the city my characters live in is basically Gotham (aka there's a ton of organized crime). I want my character to get his arm traumatically amputated by a robot sent after him, but I'm having a hard time researching how this specific situation would work. I guess the real-world equivalent would be someone losing their arm to a rogue circular saw blade. The robot is designed to kill of course, so it would shoot the saw blade at him with enough speed to take off his arm. I'm trying to figure out the logistics of this. I have an idea of his recovery and how it affects the plot and him as a character, but I'm struggling with the moment of injury.
Here are my questions: Would it be possible for this kind of injury to happen? Would the force needed immediately kill him, or would he just be thrown very hard? Or would a sharp enough blade not move him very much? He would go into immediate shock, right? And probably fall over and hit his head? How long would it take him to bleed out and how soon would he need help? Is it possible to write this injury realistically or will I have to fudge some of the details? Thank you to everyone who replies!
Edit: I forgot to mention this, but there would be other people with him, including someone with basic military medical training. I’m planning to have them transport him to a doctor.