A ruptured carotid artery is an extremely critical medical emergency.
When the carotid artery ruptures, blood gushes out due to the high arterial pressure. Its proximity to the heart means the pressure is immense—comparable to a main water supply pipe, if not even more forceful than a fire hydrant smashed open on the side of the road!
Once the carotid artery is severed, arterial blood can no longer supply oxygen to the brain, which is immediately deprived.
After more than three minutes without oxygen, the brain will suffer irreversible damage.
After six minutes, it's definitely game over.
However, if the carotid artery is left to spurt blood freely, the person will die from shock due to excessive blood loss in less than a minute.
This rescue was, therefore, a race against time.
"The patient's neck was pierced by glass shards. We performed a simple dressing..."
