this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2026
-21 points (11.1% liked)

Explain Like I'm Five

19523 readers
110 users here now

Simplifying Complexity, One Answer at a Time!

Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
sabbah@lemmy.world
AradFort@lemmy.world
rikudou@lemmings.world
Don_Dickle@lemmy.world
Rikudou_Sage@lemmy.world
-21
ELI5: Why if a tall guy gets stabbed, the target is almost always his belly? (lemmy.world)
submitted 8 hours ago by anneSong@lemmy.world to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Why in case of a stab (especially if the person stabbed is significantly tall) - its the belly which usually gets wounded?

I (21f) am a pretty short (5'2") fencer (HEMA, rapier), and I often get advice to target a tall opponent's belly with my rapier. Also I've attended a self-defense class, and the instructor gave me advice to go for the abdomen of a tall attacker, if I have a pocket knife in my hand.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] philpo@feddit.org 2 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Tbf, I am tall and I am much happier to be stabbed into the abomen than higher up, if you must insist on stabbing me.

[–] anneSong@lemmy.world -1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Getting stabbed in the belly could be as fatal as getting stabbed in the chest. But a belly stab would hurt much more

[–] philpo@feddit.org 4 points 7 hours ago

No. Survival chances of a stab to the chest(aka the 'cardiac box') or neck is far far more lethal than a abdominal stabbing wound. Even stab wounds to the groin are more lethal.

Source: Critical care paramedic.