How Many Limbs Would You Lose If Lightsabers Were Real? Let’s Do the Math!

If you’re a Star Wars fan, then you’ve probably dreamed of wielding a lightsaber at some point in your life. But have you ever stopped to consider the potential consequences of wielding a weapon that can slice through virtually anything, including human limbs?

First of all, let’s establish some ground rules. For the purposes of this analysis, we’ll assume that lightsabers operate in the real world according to the laws of physics (which, let’s be honest, they probably don’t). We’ll also assume that the average Jedi or Sith is wielding their lightsaber for around 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 40 hours per week.

Now, let’s talk about the human body. The average adult human has 4 limbs: 2 arms and 2 legs. So, how many limbs are we looking at potentially losing each year? Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries in the United States in 2019. Of those, around 20% were injuries to the arms or hands, and another 20% were injuries to the legs or feet. That’s a total of around 1.12 million limb injuries per year.

Now, let’s assume that lightsabers are responsible for, oh, let’s say 0.01% of those injuries. That might seem like a small number, but remember, we’re talking about a weapon that can cut through pretty much anything. So, 0.01% of 1.12 million is 112. That’s right, we’re looking at potentially 112 limb amputations per year caused by lightsabers.

Of course, this is all just back-of-the-napkin math. There are a lot of variables to consider, like how many people would actually be using lightsabers, how skilled they are at using them, and whether lightsaber safety protocols would be developed and enforced. But let’s be real, if lightsabers existed, people would be chopping off limbs left and right. And honestly, it would probably be worth it just to be able to say you own a real lightsaber.