ring

I believe that the combination of his arm already being numb, the ensuing adrenaline rush as panic set in were major factors. If one were to try to cut their arm off purposely for no reason, there is a good chance shock would
set in, you'd lose conscious and then possibly bleed to death. His arm may have been in the mid stage of crush-syndrome by then.

The thought of burning has even motivated people to jump to their deaths
from buildings.

Eating dead people?
If I were dead, and the only way someone else could live was to consume me,
I would be honored by that.