Discussion You criticize my method and the flaws. Could I survive?

[DoomCry]

In the case of a steamroller suicide, let's say the person is in a flat area, such as a backyard, where the steamroller, with a total weight of about 20 tons (44,000 lb), is positioned in operational mode. In this scenario, the steamroller is assumed to weigh about 26,000 lb (12,000 kg), a realistic estimate for large steamrollers. The individual turns on the steamroller and then positions himself, lying down with his head aligned with the trajectory of the front steamroller in complete tranquility. The steamroller advances slowly, at a speed of about 1 or 2 kilometers per hour, almost imperceptible, but inexorable. When the steamroller makes contact with the head, the pressure exerted on the head is about 11,772,000 Pascals, a force that is distributed over a very small contact surface, equal to about 0.01 m² (approximate for the human head). Calculating the pressure: The weight of the roller (12,000 kg) applied to the head, with the force of gravity acting on it, produces a force of about 117,720 N (Newtons). Dividing this force by the contact surface of the head (0.01 m²), we obtain a pressure of 11,772,000 Pa. This pressure is extremely high. To better understand, the human skull can withstand a pressure that can vary between 500 and 1,000 kg (about 4,900 N for the highest values) before it shatters.
The pressure exerted by the steamroller, which is approximately 11,772,000 Pa, is therefore far superior to the resistance capacity of the human skull, which is immediately shattered. in this case it absolutely cannot make the same mistake that even a 12-gauge shotgun can make because we can assure that the brain stem is hit, destroyed, eliminated, evaporated. Death is instantaneous and completely painless. Brain damage occurs in a very short period of time, well before the person can perceive pain or awareness of the event. Once the roller comes into contact with the head, the force destroys the skull and the brain instantly, causing an immediate arrest of vital functions. The vehicle continues its movement without stopping. The entire procedure is mechanical, rapid and absolutely painless.

The total cost of renting a 20 ton roller, including transportation up to 30 km from the desired area (for example, construction site, home etc.) is generally between €250 and €400 per day. If the job takes less than a day (in this case it takes a few seconds), this could be the total cost. And it is perfectly legal.

Can we talk about certain lethality?

 

[avoid]

There are so many ways to kill yourself, limited to your imagination. But even if you can calculate the chance of fatality, there will be unforeseen problems that which can only be discovered and solved with trial and error. A suicide method should have as few unknowns as possible.

• The weight of 12 tons is distributed over all wheel-ground contact surfaces, not just the front roller. And where is the steamroller's center of mass?
• How soft is the surface below you? Will the steamroller press your head into the dirt, essentially leveling your head with the ground without damaging the skull?
• What's the diameter of the roller? Will your head actually be pushed forwards rather than downward? The metal roller is smooth so there's little static friction. And if the roller pushes you head forward instead of downward, will the underground scrape your head as you slide forward, and how will you react?
• The human factor.
  • I don't expect myself to be calm (tranquil) when I see a steamroller slowly approaching me. And the steamroller will look huge, and perhaps even scary, from the low surface perspective.
  • Paying for a rental steamroller may pressure you to follow through with ending your life—you spent money a limited time window that you can't delay without spending more money. This psychological effect may influence you in making a very important decision that you shouldn't be pressured into.
  • Considering your head is not an immovably object, and the slow speed of the steamroller, how long will the build-up of the pressure on your skull last? I'd argue it's not instantaneous, so how much pain and how long will it last?
• If you succeed, who or what will stop the steamroller? Will it damage objects in its path or be a danger to other people?

I won't deny that this is a rather interesting way to go, but only because of the originality. I would discourage you from using a steamroller to end your life. Even if you address the concerns I listed, chances are that more problems will surface.

 

[DoomCry]

There are so many ways to kill yourself, limited to your imagination. But even if you can calculate the chance of fatality, there will be unforeseen problems that which can only be discovered and solved with trial and error. A suicide method should have as few unknowns as possible.

• The weight of 12 tons is distributed over all wheel-ground contact surfaces, not just the front roller. And where is the steamroller's center of mass?
• How soft is the surface below you? Will the steamroller press your head into the dirt, essentially leveling your head with the ground without damaging the skull?
• What's the diameter of the roller? Will your head actually be pushed forwards rather than downward? The metal roller is smooth so there's little static friction. And if the roller pushes you head forward instead of downward, will the underground scrape your head as you slide forward, and how will you react?
• The human factor.
  • I don't expect myself to be calm (tranquil) when I see a steamroller slowly approaching me. And the steamroller will look huge, and perhaps even scary, from the low surface perspective.
  • Paying for a rental steamroller may pressure you to follow through with ending your life—you spent money a limited time window that you can't delay without spending more money. This psychological effect may influence you in making a very important decision that you shouldn't be pressured into.
  • Considering your head is not an immovably object, and the slow speed of the steamroller, how long will the build-up of the pressure on your skull last? I'd argue it's not instantaneous, so how much pain and how long will it last?
• If you succeed, who or what will stop the steamroller? Will it damage objects in its path or be a danger to other people?

I won't deny that this is a rather interesting way to go, but only because of the originality. I would discourage you from using a steamroller to end your life. Even if you address the concerns I listed, chances are that more problems will surface.

Thank you for your response — it's thoughtful and well-articulated. I'll try to reply point by point, in the same spirit of constructive discussion, without any polemic intent. Just a technical clarification on some aspects.

1. Weight distribution over all contact surfaces:
You're right in noting that the total weight of the roller is distributed across all contact points. However, when the roller is in motion and passes over a localized obstacle (in this case, the head), the pressure is effectively concentrated on that specific point. While the rear wheels contribute to the overall weight, the front roller — especially in heavy, vibrating models — already exerts an extremely high crushing force by itself. So even accounting for distribution, the pressure applied on the contact area remains unquestionably lethal.

2. Ground surface softness:
This is a very sensible point. On extremely soft surfaces (like deep sand or mud), some of the pressure could indeed be absorbed. However, if we consider a flat, compact surface (such as concrete, hard soil, or asphalt), the "cushioning" effect becomes practically negligible. The compression would still occur directly and with enough force to vastly exceed the structural limits of the human skull.

3. Roller diameter and potential for sliding forward:
It's true that the roller is smooth and has low static friction. However, when the head enters the roller's path, the weight exerts a force that is primarily vertical. Even assuming a minimal forward shift, the body doesn't have the time or force to "escape" the applied pressure. Additionally, skin, bone, and dental structures offer decent initial resistance to horizontal movement. In practice, forward motion is quickly overridden by the increasing vertical pressure.

4. Psychological aspect and the "human factor":
This is probably the most relatable and important consideration from a practical perspective. Not everyone would be able to stay calm in front of such a machine. It's a subjective but real factor that could compromise the execution of a scenario like this. However, in the context I described — an idealized, rational, and controlled setup — the focus was purely technical, not emotional.

5. Pain perception and timing:
The human brain typically requires at least 150–300 milliseconds to register pain (depending on the stimulus and area). In the case of the brainstem being instantly destroyed, this time window doesn't exist: perception doesn't even have the chance to activate. The pressure involved is so far beyond the skull's resistance threshold that we're talking about direct, not progressive, destruction. Therefore, saying it's not instantaneous wouldn't be accurate — from a neurophysiological standpoint, it is.

6. Safety and risk to others:
I completely agree this aspect deserves attention. However, in the hypothetical scenario described (an isolated area, private courtyard, no bystanders or valuable objects nearby), the risk is practically zero. Still, it's wise to consider this factor if the scenario were less "sterile."


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I hope this response is taken in the tone it was intended — calm, analytical, and respectful. It's a delicate topic that deserves to be addressed with seriousness and technical clarity, precisely to avoid oversimplifications or misleading assumptions.

Thanks again for the thoughtful exchange.