Though declaring a
person dead is a simple routine, but undoubtedly a critical moment for a doctor.
It is an organized step-wise process of patient’s examination to assess the
brain functions. Death must be declared by a medical doctor or medical professional.
Check the Video Below ↓
No Pulse
The dead person is always pulse-less. You cannot
feel any radial pulse in both fore-arms or any pulse anywhere in the body. The
heart pumps blood out into the body through vessels producing a pressure onto
their walls. This pressure produces and amplitude in the vessel wall that is
felt as a “Pulse”. If the heart is not functioning, no pulse can be felt. However,
only pulselessness does not confirm that the patient is dead. In several
conditions, pulse may not be recordable. In other words, a working heart may be
too weak to produce pulse. Carotid pulses are better to be examined.
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| Radial Pulse |
No Blood Pressure
No blood pressure can be recorded in
both upper limbs or anywhere in a dead person. In a dead person, heart stops
working! The heart pumps blood out into the body through vessels producing a
pressure onto their walls. This pressure is named as “Blood Pressure”. If the
heart is not working, no blood pressure can be recorded. However, only B.P.
lessness does not confirm the patient is dead. In several conditions, blood
pressure may not be recordable. In other words, a working heart may be too weak
to produce enough power to give a recordable blood pressure.
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| Blood Pressure (Source: www.drelaine.com) |
No Heart Sounds
No heart sounds can be heard over the
chest of a dead person at least for one minute. Simply, when the heart is dead,
no sound will be produced. If you are in doubt, ask to your colleague to hear
the patient’s heart (auscultate).
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| Heart Sounds |
