When someone is “dead” or “unconscious”, the person does appear to weigh more, but in reality, this apparent weight change has very little to do with the presence of life or consciousness, and much more to do with the placement of weight.

Is deadweight actually heavier?

While in your arms, the person loses consciousness and suddenly becomes “dead weight.” Why is the person now so much heavier? The person is not actually heavier; he is just more difficult to heft because he's no longer using his muscles to hold himself together or to hold on to his helper to avoid being dropped.

What is my dead weight?

A dead weight is a load which is surprisingly heavy and difficult to lift. You can refer to something that makes change or progress difficult as a dead weight. ...