[Basic set] How and when does resuscitation works?

Pursuivant · 11-27-2024, 03:32 AM

It isn't clearly stated, but you only need to use Resuscitation on asphyxiated or drowned people who aren't breathing.

Other than that, you're right. Per the rules in GURPS Basic Set, a Drowned of Suffocated person loses 1 FP/second, which also inflicts 1 HP of damage/second when they're at FP 0 or below. At -FP, they begin to take 1 HP of damage instead. That means 60 HP/minute.

That's an error in the rules, which state elsewhere that an unconscious normal human can safely go without oxygen for 2 minutes, but risks brain injury beyond that point and will die due to brain death after 4 minutes. It also makes it nearly impossible to resuscitate badly injured characters who also suffer the effects of Drowning or Suffocation.

I have a feeling that GURPS GMs have collectively determined that this rule fails a "reality check" and have been improvising all these years.

There are optional rules which cover some topics you're interested in in detail starting on p.123 of GURPS Biotech, but they don't solve the problems with the basic rules.

The most important change is that First Aid skill can be used to clear the airway of a choking victim and an attempt can be made every 2 seconds.

At TL7+ Artificial Respiration can "reset the clock" for FP and HP loss as long as a First Aid provider can provide it. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) "resets the clock" for damage due to a stopped heart. Realistically, it has little chance of success of restarting the victim's heart, however.

As an ignorant attempt to implement a more realistic House Rule, I'd say:

* Unless you swallow water or inhale gas, FP and HP damage only begins once you exceed the amount of time you can hold your breath while engaged in Moderate Exertion if you're suffocating or Heavy Exertion if you're struggling to avoid drowning or suffocation. A character who can keep calm can use the resting rate for breath holding.

* Once you start taking HP damage, assume that someone who isn't getting air suffers the equivalent of a Heart Attack and will die in HT/3 minutes without aid.

* The character suffers 1 HP of damage per HT/2 seconds from oxygen deprivation once they're below 0 FP. For a normal person, that works out to 12 HP/minute. After 1 minute, they're below -HP and must make a roll to avoid Death. After 2 minutes, they're at -HP x 2 and must make a roll to avoid Death at -1, etc. until they die after HT/3 minutes.

*At TL7+ artificial respiration and CPR "reset the clock" ticking down to the time the patient dies, but don't restore lost HP or FP.

*An unconscious patient who is still breathing or receiving artificial respiration can recover FP normally but can't recover consciousness until breathing is restarted.

Realistically, there are situations where people have survived unharmed after far greater periods without respiration, particularly in the case of Cold Water Diving Reflex, but I'm trying to keep things simple.

11-27-2024, 03:32 AM	#4
Pursuivant Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: [Basic set] How and when does resuscitation works? It isn't clearly stated, but you only need to use Resuscitation on asphyxiated or drowned people who aren't breathing. Other than that, you're right. Per the rules in GURPS Basic Set, a Drowned of Suffocated person loses 1 FP/second, which also inflicts 1 HP of damage/second when they're at FP 0 or below. At -FP, they begin to take 1 HP of damage instead. That means 60 HP/minute. That's an error in the rules, which state elsewhere that an unconscious normal human can safely go without oxygen for 2 minutes, but risks brain injury beyond that point and will die due to brain death after 4 minutes. It also makes it nearly impossible to resuscitate badly injured characters who also suffer the effects of Drowning or Suffocation. I have a feeling that GURPS GMs have collectively determined that this rule fails a "reality check" and have been improvising all these years. There are optional rules which cover some topics you're interested in in detail starting on p.123 of GURPS Biotech, but they don't solve the problems with the basic rules. The most important change is that First Aid skill can be used to clear the airway of a choking victim and an attempt can be made every 2 seconds. At TL7+ Artificial Respiration can "reset the clock" for FP and HP loss as long as a First Aid provider can provide it. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) "resets the clock" for damage due to a stopped heart. Realistically, it has little chance of success of restarting the victim's heart, however. As an ignorant attempt to implement a more realistic House Rule, I'd say: * Unless you swallow water or inhale gas, FP and HP damage only begins once you exceed the amount of time you can hold your breath while engaged in Moderate Exertion if you're suffocating or Heavy Exertion if you're struggling to avoid drowning or suffocation. A character who can keep calm can use the resting rate for breath holding. * Once you start taking HP damage, assume that someone who isn't getting air suffers the equivalent of a Heart Attack and will die in HT/3 minutes without aid. * The character suffers 1 HP of damage per HT/2 seconds from oxygen deprivation once they're below 0 FP. For a normal person, that works out to 12 HP/minute. After 1 minute, they're below -HP and must make a roll to avoid Death. After 2 minutes, they're at -HP x 2 and must make a roll to avoid Death at -1, etc. until they die after HT/3 minutes. At TL7+ artificial respiration and CPR "reset the clock" ticking down to the time the patient dies, but don't restore lost HP or FP. An unconscious patient who is still breathing or receiving artificial respiration can recover FP normally but can't recover consciousness until breathing is restarted. Realistically, there are situations where people have survived unharmed after far greater periods without respiration, particularly in the case of Cold Water Diving Reflex, but I'm trying to keep things simple.