Why is AC more lethal than DC at the same RMS voltage?

[hellraiser]

Which one is more lethal?
AC or DC.
The value of AC rms is given to be equal to DC.
I think it ought to be DC because it would provide constant voltage. but in case of ac it drops to zero sometimes. I would have exprimented but...

 

[Hootenanny]

Think about what is dangerous. Is it the voltage or the current that kills you?

 

[hellraiser]

it is the current that kills

 

[siddharth]

That's an interesting question. Here some info you might find useful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_shock"

 

[topsquark]

I don't know what this question is specifically asking? Dead is dead, no matter what killed you...

-Dan

 

[Hootenanny]

The van der graff generator kids play with in high school uses thousands of volts with a tiny current.

 

[Homer Simpson]

Certain AC current levels cause heart fibrilation (higher levels cause a heart contraction and release,as in a de-fibrilator, not fibrilation) , if the current passes through the heart. That is what usually does the killing. DC is way safer in comparison.