THE '22 TIMES

Impending death is a subject that most of us dread and are unwilling to face; but death is a reality, a universal concept. We all have to confront death at some point in our lives; either that of a loved one or our own. It is therefore important for us to understand death and the processes that lead up to it. Some questions that we should consider include: What happens as the body drifts towards total shutdown? What signs are observed in the time preceding death? What would we see when a person dies? The Circulatory System             As death approaches, blood flow begins to slow. By way of compensation, the body begins to shunt blood towards the vital organs. The extremities i.e. the hands, arms and feet become cool to touch due to the decreasing blood flow to these areas. Mottling and pooling of blood is also noticeable on the underside of the body and appears much like a bruising ( “The Process of Dying”, n.d.). Blood pressure also drops and the pulse becomes