<quote >because it was intended to be sufficient to break the person's neck, causing immediate paralysis and immobilization (and perhaps immediate unconsciousness--though this matter is questioned).</quote>
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging#Methods_of_judicial_hanging
Although it also says it's considered the most humane form of capital punishment by medical people. Although that's a bit like being the best if the worst.
But is there any pain or other sensory feedback to tell you that you're dying(sp?)?
I thought lethal injection basically put you to sleep, and then you died in your sleep.
That's assuming that when you say it takes half an hour, they're conscious for all that time.
Isn't it just as bad as the walk to the noose though, or even sitting in the cell for days/weeks beforehand - knowing that you're to be put to death, but having to wait for the prearranged time?
It's a divided issue.
Opponents of lethal injection reckon that the chemical used to knock you out is actually only very short acting (which is why you're not allowed to use it for surgery, or for putting animals down), whilst the paralytic effects of the other drugs are not. So, basically, you get knocked out for a minute or two, wake up in paralysis and have to endure 30 mins of excruciating pain as you die.
Proponents disagree.