FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[sagi58]

I don't know enough about your publications on that side of the pond.
We don't get much on this side, so... I'm kinda stuck!!

Has anyone got any news from a ""reputable"" site?

[operaman]

I don't know enough about your publications on that side of the pond.
We don't get much on this side, so... I'm kinda stuck!!

Has anyone got any news from a ""reputable"" site?

All of the reports I have seen seem to refer back to an article by Bild. My German friends consider it to on the same level as the Enquirer. My concern comes from my understanding (albeit limited) of comas, which indicates the length of Michaels condition is not a good sign.

[acosmichippo]

But it is an induced coma, so theoretically they could wake him at any time. I guess it just isn't safe to do so at the moment.

[operaman]

But it is an induced coma, so theoretically they could wake him at any time. I guess it just isn't safe to do so at the moment.

That's my point. From what I have read, anything longer than about 2 weeks is a bad sign. The rationale is that an induced coma will allow the brain to heal itself, but longer than 2 weeks is an indication of the extent of the damage. As the duration of the induced coma increases, the chances for a happy resolution decrease.

[bud]

I don't think it's as simple as turning a switch on and off. Comas are still somewhat a mystery or they would be able to wake anyone in one surely?

[CookinFlat6]

People have stayed in induced coma for a long time when needed. I don't think it's that detrimental compared to allowing the injuries time to repair. It would be better if it was a shorter period but as long as everything is in place he can still recover from a lengthy induced coma. It's sounds bad but as long as his brain is nursed back the length if the induced come is not so bad

[racechick]

I don't think it's as simple as turning a switch on and off. Comas are still somewhat a mystery or they would be able to wake anyone in one surely?

I think that applies to a naturally occurring coma, but I think they have more control over an induced one. No expert on this but have experienced recently a very similar injury in a young man, with a very sad ending. He went into the coma himself and the doctors at the time said he needed to be out of it in 24hrs or the prognosis would be very bad.

But Michael's is induced to help him heal so we can only keep hoping.

[acosmichippo]

my understanding of an induced coma is that it's more like an extremely heavy anesthetic - like going under for surgery, only even more to the extent that you need machines to take over basic functions like breathing. Anyway, the point is I think they do have pretty good control over it, unlike un-induced comas. it's not like they'd put a patient in an induced coma if they didn't know they could wake them up again.

[Jabberwocky]

I believe the coma also helps the body stay in a hypothermia state, allowing the swelling and pressure to go down. Like a cold compress for the brain.

Sent using NCC-1701

[CookinFlat6]

If we take holiday trips to Mars in the future, we would get used to induced comas pretty quickly

[madbrad]

Was another F1 driver not put into an induced coma before? I have a vague recollection, but maybe it wasn't F1 or even racing at all.

[Irv the Swerve]

Was another F1 driver not put into an induced coma before? I have a vague recollection, but maybe it wasn't F1 or even racing at all.

Yeah i think youre right...it was Karl Wendlinger in 94 after the Monaco Accident.

[Jabberwocky]

Zinardi did when he lost his legs (OK it was not F1)

[operaman]

Zinardi did when he lost his legs (OK it was not F1)

And Christian Di Matta, when he hit the deer at Road America ...or was it Mid Ohio.

[madbrad]

Yeah I remembered it was wendlinger after I thought about it a while.
I never knew DaMatta hit a deer.