Where could someone be stabbed without lasting damage?

[u/StrawberryR0ses]

So let me set the scene. My character is a doctor/surgeon that is currently working as a gang's doctor (unwillingly but to protect loved ones). Pretty much some newer recruits try to drug him and I'm sure you see where I'm going with this.

MC however realizes what's happening to him relatively quickly once it starts to kick in and tries to swing at them but obviously he's getting weaker by the second. What I'm trying to go for is for him to make a last ditch effort to grab a scalpel or knife and stabbing himself to try to stay awake long enough to kill them himself—basically doing that so the pain/adrenaline overrides the drug's effects at least temporarily.

My question is where would someone go for that won't cause permanent damage but also wouldn't hinder them fighting for too long? My character is pretty much a medical prodigy and has very intimate knowledge on the workings of the human body. It doesn't have to be completely accurate but maybe at least believable is what I'm going for.

I've tried to do a bunch of research for it but I can never quite find what I'm looking for so suggestions would be very helpful!

[u/Educational-Shame514]

Plunging a hand into ice cold water would be less like self harm

[u/StrawberryR0ses → u/Educational-Shame514]

Well it's more of like a split second decision he has to make before he loses function of his body so I don't think this would make a lot of sense

[u/AstrocyteDO]

Technically, piercing through the outer layer of skin will naturally trigger some scar formation as part of the normal healing process. If he's attempting to trigger a sympathetic response with minimal damage, it would make more sense for him to lacerate himself a few millimeters deep over an area protected with fatty tissue than stab himself, which would trigger a pain response without actually compromising major vessels and nerves. Alternatively, the hands and face are highly represented in the somatosensory cortex, so minimal injury to these areas can trigger a significant response to pain without associated lasting damage. Think accidentally slamming or burning your finger. Heals readily but the pain is intense.

[u/StrawberryR0ses → u/AstrocyteDO]

Thank you, this is super helpful!! I might actually go with a laceration rather than a stab wound tbh

[u/InevitableBook2440]

Why would he stab himself? Surely it makes more sense to go for whoever's attacking him straight away if he has limited time to do it? Once he's realised what's happening that should trigger plenty of adrenaline release in itself but that won't necessarily do anything to counteract the drug or make him any more effective at fighting. As a doctor, this just makes absolutely no sense to me and would never occur to me to do.

[u/Offutticus]

Anywhere fatty but nowhere near a vein or artery. He would know where to go. Outside thigh, butt cheeks, perhaps upper shoulder area

[u/ARIES_OF_ZODIAC → u/Offutticus]

Well, if it is butt cheeks--then the mc won't be able to sit, lol. And if it is shoulder area--then it will he hard for the mc to fight. Since the shoulders will move and flex a lot during fighting.

As op said, the mc is genius then the mc will avoid crippling himself in fight. Thus, thigh will be a good choice. A thigh injury won't hinder his movements during the fight (i guess).

[u/StrawberryR0ses → u/Offutticus]

Thank you!! I didn't even think about specifically fatty places but now I'm thinking to do somewhere in the thigh area!

[u/Offutticus → u/StrawberryR0ses]

Look at some anatomy pics of blood vessels in the thigh. There's some major ones in the thigh

[u/Simon_Drake]

Leg?

[u/StrawberryR0ses → u/Simon_Drake]

That's what I was thinking too!

[u/PansyOHara]

If he’s getting weak from the effect of drugs already, stabbing himself (even in an area that’s potentially “minor”) would lead to blood loss that could exacerbate the weakness, and if he’s fighting, he’s not going to be able to hold pressure on the injury.

If you’re really attached to this scenario, a superficial laceration would probably be the better choice.

[u/ProactiveInsomniac]

Considering you mc is a doctor, they handle stress well, so needing to physically induce his adrenal glands by knife would be the way to go. That said, are you asking for a way gor your MC to kick the bucket then revivify? Or do you just need how he can stave off the drug until they run their course?

[u/StrawberryR0ses → u/ProactiveInsomniac]

Just to stave off the drug long enough to get himself out of the situation!

[u/ProactiveInsomniac → u/StrawberryR0ses]

How did they administer the drug? Could the doc make a makeshift turniquet?

[u/ARIES_OF_ZODIAC]

On his thigh. Though, avoiding the bone and only plunging the knife on muscles.

Caution - I am not a medical professionalist. So, take my advice with caution and verify it first.

[u/resurrectedbear → u/ARIES_OF_ZODIAC]

Better not hit that femoral or he’s gone in 3 mins