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Harness Hang Syndrome 7-Oct-2011 At 4:31:48 PM Fizz

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It's been a while since studying this. My understanding is that HHS is caused by decreased circulating blood volume due to the harness leg loops occluding the femoral/great saphenous veins thus restricting the venous return to the heart. Without adequate circulating blood volume perfusion can not be sustained = death.
Crush injury is just that, blunt trauma causing injury/insult to an area of the body. Crush syndrome, which is where I think the confusion with HHS is, generally takes 1hr+ where both arterial blood and venous return are restricted (the classic is the tractor pinning the farmers legs) which results in cellular death and the release of associated cellular matter, which is returned to circulation when the mechanism is removed.. Potassium is the major offender, which in excessive concentrations can send the heart into a potentially lethal rhythm. On scene amputation is generally the treatment of choice to prevent this happening. To a lesser degree, or if you happen to survive the cardiac arrest, the release of myoglobin may lead to kidney failure.