Would it be possible to dig yourself out?

[naomi24]

Just been watching QI. The question is if you and a spade were buried in a coffin with 6ft of eath above you, would escape be possible - and if so, how would you go about it?

[DTCwordfan]

Would your mobile phone work?

[naomi24]

Of course. Isn't oak used for burial coffins? We're talking a normal burial here,

[naomi24]

No mobile phones. Straightforward burial with spade and you're on your own.

[society]

I'd need a second burial as I'd surely die the second time around in a coffin 6 ft under.

[sandyRoe]

I've heard of people digging themselves deeper into trouble, but never out. I think it would be impossible to free yourself. Which way would be up? Would the worms and other creepy crawlies be eyeing you up as breakfast?
It doesn't bear thinking about.

[DTCwordfan]

all sorts of woods and other materials are used for coffins.........

[naomi24]

Sherrard, a wool coffin? Whoever heard of a wool coffin?

[DTCwordfan]

Naomi - they make them I believe in Yorkshire and some 700 quid a pop.

http://news.bbc.co.uk...yorkshire/8138031.stm

[naomi24]

DT, would the material used be that relevant? This is a normal burial and you are 6ft under.

[20SilkCut]

I cant see it being possible to dig yourself out. I have a bit of a fear of being buried in a small box underground....that why I want to be cremated.

[naomi24]

Oh God! Is that where they eat pie sandwiches too?

[Clanad]

I think it would be possible... since we know burrowing critters, voles, gophers and moles accomplish it all the time.
You'd have a void in the coffin that you could pull dirt into and the move into the space lfet by that dirt and continue the process. Eqyipped with the spade, the biggest challenge of getting out of the coffin could be overcome... I'd agree that through the side would be better.

One other thing having been in attendance for several graves that were dug and the occasional "cave-in" from an adjoing rotted out grave indicates they aren't really 6 feet down as supposed, at least at the top or lid.. The tops of most coffins are usually not more than 4 feet under... still quite a weight, no?

[sandyRoe]

I've arranged to give my remains to medical research. But having read sqad's postings here I'm having second thoughts.
But if I do go through with it I'll know there's no chance of being buried alive.

[sherrardk]

Hi Naomi - DT started the woolq coffin thing.

[jno]

http://en.wikipedia.o...eason%29#Buried_Alive

[ludwig]

I think however you tried to do it, the earth would just collapse on you - even if you could get out of the coffin.

[DTCwordfan]

i made my point earlier about running out of air.

You, naomi, were the one that made the comment about wool coffins. I was merely adding the evidence, something that the Ed had requested earlier in the week as good practice.

Look with the shi-ite that is now beginning to emerge here and has just sunk the Jo Yeats (spelling) thread, I am out of here. Too much Saturday night drink in many of you I think - and for the record I havent touched a drop since the New Year.

Night. And sleep tight just as if you were in a coffin!

[DTCwordfan]

meant to all of you and the old 'sleep like the dead' sense......

[naomi24]

Sandy, oh I just love the idea of ending up a skeleton called Henry beloved by successive generations of eager students and hanging permanently in the corner of some wonderful book-ridden, oak-lined educational laboratory. What a useful life that would have been.

.... but I digress.....

[sandyRoe]

The graves a fine and private place
But none, I think, do there embrace.
I'd rather be dead than think about dying, as Brendan Behan said.