Myth: a hazing victim won’t die if you don’t hit him or her in the chest: bunk

Moderator: The recent discovery that a fraternity put a red X on the chest of a pledge, meaning that part of him could not be hit but extremities COULD be hit–has to be addressed right away.

For example, the 2012 beating of a Flipino pledge named Marvin Reglos showed the fatal crushing blows went to the arms and legs.

–Moderator

Except:

“MANILA, Philippines – San Beda law student Marvin Reglos died of kidney failure after sustaining several muscle injuries during initiation rites in Antipolo City last month, autopsy results revealed.

Dr. Alvin David, National Bureau of Investigation medico-legal division chief, said Reglos suffered rhabdomyolysis wherein skeletal muscle tissue breaks down rapidly due to a crush injury.

He said Reglos’ skeletal muscle broke down after he was hit repeatedly on the legs and arms. The damaged skeletal muscle then secreted myoglobin or muscle protein, which caused Reglos’ kidneys to fail.”