this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2026
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Explain Like I'm Five

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ELI5: Why if a tall guy gets stabbed, the target is almost always his belly? (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 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.

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[–] philpo@feddit.org 2 points 9 hours ago (2 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 9 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 8 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.