How to Calculate Necessary Rope Length for Hanging

Capital punishment is only sanctioned in some states and in a few countries around the world. The hanging of a man is meant to cause the neck of the man to break between the brain and the cervical spine and then to die of asphyxiation. The length of rope required to cause this amount of force can be found by looking on Drop Tables that are readily available.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Tape measure
• Scale to weigh the victim

1. Measure the height and weight of the individual to be hanged. These facts are pertinent in calculating the drop distance for breaking the neck without decapitating the body. The drop distance has direct bearing on the length of the rope.
2. Examine the gallows to be used for the hanging. This will determine how much of the drop length is provided by other items such as chain. Using a chain to reinforce part of the length will shorten the length of rope required.
3. Use the Drop Table to determine the length of fall the body must take to achieve enough force to break the neck and carry out the execution. You will use the height and weight of the body when looking up the fall distance. Using too short a rope will result in strangulation and could be found to be cruel and unusual punishment. Too long a rope will run the risk of decapitation.