Attempting to Withstand the Grim Fate of Brushings with Mortality as Explored in the "Game of Thrones" Series' Perilous Moments
Revamped Tone:
Now that Game of Thrones fans have returned to Westeros for the final lap, there's one burning question on everyone's minds: who's gonna buy it next?
Throughout the past seven seasons, we've seen our favorites meet a bloody, heart-wrenching demise (though let's face it, some we really didn't care much for). But we've also seen our beloved characters suffer horrific injuries, only to make remarkable recoveries. Or die and come back to life. (Looking at you, Jon Snow again.)
So just how survivable are these near-death experiences in reality? To get some answers, I reached out to an expert. Enter Dr. Nathan White, an emergency medicine specialist at Harborview Medical Center. He might not be a GoT fan, but he was more than happy to share his insights.
At Harborview, they see it all — folks from Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho with life-threatening injuries. And it all starts with the first responders. In King County, we're fortunate to have Medic One, where paramedics are jointly trained by Seattle Fire and Harborview. These heroes make a critical difference to the fate of those injured, and with good reason: people who suffer cardiac arrest are twice as likely to survive if they receive rapid care from Medic One.
Even with Medic One on the scene, there are still times when death claims another. That's where doctors like White come in, tirelessly working to save lives and continually seeking new ways to do so. Take, for example, a study White recently led about certain jiu-jitsu moves that can help control bleeding. (I think Arya might approve.)
I shared three scenarios from the show where characters came dangerously close to meeting their maker but ended up surviving. Here's what White had to say about the likelihood of those situations and the lifesaving work done every day by paramedics and doctors like him.
The Moment: Arya gets stabbed in the gut
Likelihood of Survival: Doubtful without immediate medical attention
Aww, Arya — the coolest, toughest little girl with a penchant for stabbing we've ever seen. After slaying the Night King, she's become an unlikely hero of the Battle of Winterfell. But back in season six, things really looked grim for her. After leaving the House of Black and White, she has a very close encounter with the Waif, who's got it out for her from the start.
Cornered and surprised, Arya gets stuck multiple times by the Waif, who changes her face more often than we change our socks. The question is, how the heck did Arya manage to walk to Lady Crane's house after all that?
Surviving a deep stomach wound like that is a long shot, White says, unless she received immediate medical attention. Withany stab wound, the most pressing issue is controlling the bleeding. Unfortunately, however, torso wounds like Arya's are rarely accessible or compressible, allowing precious blood to seep out, leading to hemorrhage — one of the most common causes of death within the first few hours.
The Moment: Bran falls from the tower
Likelihood of Survival: Officially debatable (though we all know Bran doesn't deserve it)
This season has been a triumph of Bran moments — he's become a staple of awkward, calm, and otherwise unpleasant situations (sorry, Bran). But let's not forget about that iconic first season fall from the tower ( Jaime Lannister, you awful man). After losing the use of his legs, Bran spent months in a coma — how did he survive that horrific fall?
Dropping from great heights is more common than you might think, White says, though falls from over 25 feet usually result in serious injury. However, having something break the fall and cushion the impact increases the chances of survival — a blessing that, unfortunately, Bran didn't receive.
Falling from such a height can cause a multitude of injuries, like broken bones, head injury, and ruptured vital organs, leading to cardiac arrest and death. But it's not always a guarantee. Still, it's hard to tell how far Bran exactly fell (after all, Winterfell's towers aren't exactly built for modern measurements), but if it's more than 25 feet, it's unlikely he'd have survived without better conditions.
The Moment: Jon falls into freezing waters beyond the Wall
Likelihood of Survival: Not medal-worthy but possible (maybe he's just that tough)
Remember the moment when Jon and his friends were stranded on a rock in the middle of an iced-over lake, surrounded by zombies? One thing leads to another, and Jon ends up falling into the frigid waters. But hey, he comes out prior to the dragons snatching him and hightails it out of there. Excuse me while I facepalm…
Dunking into icy waters is a recipe for frostbite and hypothermia, White says. Mild hypothermia can usually be treated with some warm drinks, removing wet clothes, and plenty of blankets. More severe cases might require further measures, like forced air warming blankets, warmed IV fluids, and warmed air ventilation. If the body's temperature drops below 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit, cardiac arrest could occur — something that can be easily reversed if caught in time.
Doctors at Harborview recently saved a patient who was submerged for four hours without a pulse after a boat accident. Hypothermia can actually act as both a curse and a blessing, drastically slowing the body's metabolism while also protecting vital organs. That doesn't mean you should start taking freezing dips in lakes, though.
The Verdict
While they might not have the supernatural power of GoT, the dedication and skills of paramedics, doctors, and nurses are nothing short of magical. Modern emergency medicine, advanced trauma centers, and expert care make all the difference in a situation — we're definitely grateful for that.
- In the realm of reality, parenting a child suffering from life-threatening medical conditions such as a deep stomach wound, a fall from great heights, or being submerged in freezing waters requires expert medical attention and care similar to the miraculous recoveries seen in healthcare facilities like Harborview Medical Center.
- The field of science and medicine, with its continual pursuit of innovation, could potentially shed new light on health-and-wellness practices that emulate the supernatural recuperations observed in the fictional world of Game of Thrones, such as bleeding control techniques, rapid response to cardiac arrest, or securing survival after prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
