the adrenaline shot - any doctors out there?

POSTED BY: est120
UPDATED: Saturday, June 5, 2004 04:14
VIEWED: 11156
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RKLENSETH

Thursday, June 3, 2004 5:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by splibertarian:
I like to write off the whole needless-adrenaline-shot-to-the-heart thing with the idea that, yes it was unnecessary and dangerous, but Mal's not a doctor and, understandably, does not know this. Of course, in the commentary when they discuss setting up Mal's scene with Zoe's scene, I have to pretend that they meant it sets up the procedure in Mal's mind rather than the viewer's.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Plus, who is to say that he would die. I think what he would have been in danger of by doing that would be of going into shock because of it and in his condition it was already a high risk danger anyway. He had nothing left and so quite understandably did the last possible resource which might have saved his life, did nothing at all, or put him into shock that would have killed him. It wasn't like he was dying already. I think the adrenaline shot gave him that last burst or push of energy to get him to the engine room and get the ship running again before he his condition caught up to him. So perhaps it could have killed him or maybe almost did though I'm sure the bullet to the stomach doesn't help either but perhaps it gave him what he needed to get the ship running again.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

RUE

Saturday, June 5, 2004 1:22 AM

It's possible and even necessary for people to give themsleves adrenaline shots - usually in an arm or leg - if they are having a runaway and potentially fatal allergic reation. (called anaphylaxis http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic25.htm) They use a pre-loaded syringe with a needle attached called an 'epi-pen' (looks like a pen). People with a history of severe allergies carry one around at all times.

It's common for people who have 'coded' to get it directly into the heart - as previously mentioned, between the ribs at the left edge of the sternum. Someone who is near collapse would also benefit. If it was injected in the peripheral circulation, they might not have enough blood flow to actually carry it to the heart.

NIGHTTRAIN

Saturday, June 5, 2004 2:21 AM

Quote:
I like to write off the whole needless-adrenaline-shot-to-the-heart thing with the idea that, yes it was unnecessary and dangerous, but Mal's not a doctor and, understandably, does not know this. Of course, in the commentary when they discuss setting up Mal's scene with Zoe's scene, I have to pretend that they meant it sets up the procedure in Mal's mind rather than the viewer's.

I agree with this theory. Mal's no surgeon. He saw the adrenaline work on zoe so he figured he'd use it on himself. Being that some posts agree that an adrenaline shot to a beating heart would do more harm than good, then maybe he would have been able to make it to the red button if it hadn't been for the damage he had done to himself by shooting his heart with adrenaline.

"You gone got yourself lookin' mighty hideous" ~Jayne

DRAGONFLYDIRECTOR

Saturday, June 5, 2004 4:14 AM

I am in the "Mal ain't no Doc and was aping what he saw" crowd.

So how can it be a tech error when the character doesn't know well enough that he only needs to stick himself in the leg or arm?

You have to remember - The writers have to write the character's moves and thoughts ... not what is 'technically accurate", especially in this case.

About the dosage - Mal got REAL lucky. LOL, Luck is one of Mal's 'powers' - much like Indiana Jones.

As a tiny bit of proof - just remember Mal's 'luck' in te episode "Serenity" where he sees the Alliance ships landing ... bullet strikes everwhere - even nailing the trooper next to Mal - but not ONE round with Mal's name on it! There are many instances in the series of Mal's luck BARELY pulling his arse outta particulary hot situation.

Just somptin' ta think about ...

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