| ◄ | Explosive Bracelets | Oxygen Crusher | The Gallows | ► |
| “ | Your game will focus on the simple element of air. | ” |
— John introduces William and Hank to their game[src]
| ||
The Oxygen Crusher is a trap from the Saw franchise, appearing in Saw VI.
Design and Function[]
This trap was the first one in a series of tests. The victims of this game were trapped in two large identical contraptions. These contraptions consisted of two big metal clamps aiming at the victims' bodies from the sides. The test subjects were kept in their position by chains around their arms and a leather restraints around their stomach. Both of them had a breathing mask on their face. Once the game began, a highly sensitive pump measured their breathing activity. Each time one of them took a breath, the clamps would close in on their chest and thereby eventually crush their body. The only way for one of them to survive was the death of the other one. Once the game was over, the clamps around the winner's body moved back and the chains around the person's arms were opened automatically. (Saw VI)
History[]
Hank and William Easton's Test[]
| “ | Hello, William. You’ve probably been wondering when we would see each other again. Today is that day. For years your probability formula has decided the fate of others. The healthy have benefited, while the potentially sick have been unjustly rejected. However, this formula does not take into account the human will to live. When faced with death, who should live versus who will live are two entirely separate things. Today your policy will be put to the test. There are four straps around your limbs and you have four tests you must complete, for if you don’t, the straps on your arms and legs will detonate. Look closely. You have sixty minutes to complete your tests and avoid this fate, starting now. You are not alone in this game. Just as you have taken loved ones away from their families, if you do not reach the end before the timer hits zero, you will never see your family again. Here is your first test. Your health and hereditary background put you in the highest category of success, however the same cannot be said for your adversary. While only fifty-two years of age, this man has continued to smoke, even though he has a history of high blood pressure and heart disease. This demonstrates the very lack of appreciation for the blessings of his own life. Your game will focus on the simple element of air. Once this game begins, every time you take a breath, the clamps around your chest will close in and crush your body. The only escape is in the other’s failure. So I ask you: When faced with death, who will survive? Live or die, William. Make your choice. | ” |
— William Easton's tape[src]
| ||
The persons tested in this trap were William Easton, manager of the Umbrella Health insurance company, who had caused the death of numerous seriously sick people by denying the coverage of their treatment costs for spurious reasons, and Hank, the company's janitor. One day, both of them were abducted and taken to the abandoned Rowan Zoological Institute by Detective Mark Hoffman, the successor of the late John Kramer, better known as the Jigsaw Killer, who was in fact one of William's former clients. At the zoo, he trapped their unconscious bodies in their traps across from each other.
Hank in his trap
Upon waking up again, William immediately panicked when he found himself trapped in the large contraption, consisting of giant metal clamps aiming at his chest. Additionally, he wore a breathing mask on his face. Moments later, a TV turned on in front of him. William was shocked when he recognized the man appearing on the screen as John Kramer. John confronted him with his dubious business politics, which had ruined and ended the lives of numerous sick people, and introduced him to his game. William had four straps around each of his limbs, which would detonate if he wasn't able to complete four tests all around the zoo within 60 minutes. Furthermore, he told him that if he failed his task, he wouldn't see his family again. John then introduced him to his first test. At the same moment, a spotlight revealed Hank, the janitor of Umbrella Health, who was in the same situation as William and began to panic as well. The video tape informed him about Hank's history of health restrictions and his lacking efforts to change this situation. Once the game began, the clamps around their chests would close in every time they took a breath and eventually crush their upper bodies. The only way for one of them to survive was the death of the other one.
William witnesses Hank's death
As the TV turned off and the game began, William told Hank to hold his breath and did the same on his own. However, due to Hank's yearslong attitude of smoking, he had to take a first breath after a few seconds already, causing the clamps to further approach his body. Moments later, William took a breath as well. As he took another one shortly afterwards, he surprisingly enabled Hank to gain the lead. However, Hank then took the next breath. Due to his panic and the increasing pain, he involuntarily wetted himself. As the clamps closed in further and further with each breath, the amount of time in which he could hold his breath decreased constantly. Unable to continue any longer, Hank eventually took his final breath, which caused the clamps to crush his chest, killing him in the process and causing William to avert his gaze in disgust as Hank's blood drenched his clothes. Seconds later, the clamps around William's chest moved back and he was freed from the chains trapping his arms. He quickly removed his breathing mask and a leather restraint around his body. (Saw VI)
Aftermath[]
The zoo was found and raided by the Metropolitan Police Department shortly afterwards. As the police secured and searched the entire building, they discovered the many corpses of Jigsaw's victims, including Hank. All of them were sent to the morgue for their obduction by Dr. Adam Heffner and the large trap devices were sent to the evidence room. (Saw VI, 3D)
Trivia[]
- One of the clamp devices can be seen in the police station's evidence room in Saw 3D, when Hoffman is looking for Jill Tuck.