Being in an electric chair, a method of execution developed as an alternative to hanging in 1890, is a horrifying experience.
It’s a process that involves intense physical reactions and extreme discomfort, leading to death.
How It Feels Like To Be In an Electric Chair?
Swelling of Flesh
As electricity passes through the body, it generates heat, causing the flesh to swell. This swelling of tissues can be so severe that parts of the skin might fall off if touched too early.
Detachment of Skin
The high temperature caused by the electric current can cause parts of the skin to detach. Pieces of the skull might also detach due to the extreme heat.
Possible Eye Popping
Extreme heat can cause the eyeballs to melt or pop out of the head, sometimes resting on the person’s cheeks.
Burns and Catching Fire
The body temperature rises significantly, turning the body red. This can lead to a burning smell and even visible smoke. In some cases, the person’s body might catch fire due to the high temperature.
Cooking of the Brain
The electric current passing through the head can cause the brain to cook in most cases.
Asphyxiation or Cardiac Arrest
The cause of death is not fully clear, but it could be a combination of asphyxiation, lack of oxygen, and cardiac arrest. In some cases, multiple attempts may be required to carry out the execution order.
Boiling of Blood
The high temperature can cause the blood of the inmate to boil.
Dislocations or Fractures
The individual in the electric chair experiences uncontrollable convulsions. These convulsions can be so strong that they can cause fractures and dislocations.
Vomiting
Damage inside the body can cause the inmate to vomit blood and drool.
Pain depends on the speed
If the condemned dies after the first shock, the pain could be very brief. However, if the first shock does not kill them, intense pain might be felt until death or unconsciousness occurs.
Conclusion
The electric chair, once a prevalent method of execution, has faced a significant shift in perception over time.
The extreme physical reactions and intense discomfort it inflicts on individuals have contributed to its widespread view as an inhumane means of carrying out capital punishment.
Consequently, the electric chair has either been banned altogether or relegated to a secondary option in numerous jurisdictions.
This evolving perspective reflects a growing recognition of the need for more humane and ethical methods of administering justice.