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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHigh-tech suicide machine makes death a painless, peaceful, optimal way to go
https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/high-tech-suicide-machine-makes-death-a-painless-peaceful-optimal-way-to-go/In a world filled with chaos, a new suicide machine allows people to exit life in an orderly, peaceful manner. The Sarco is a technological marvel, resembling some kind of futuristic sleeping chamber, that aids in voluntary assisted dying.
Australian doctor Philip Nitschke, whom Newsweek identifies as the Elon Musk of assisted suicide, unveiled the new apparatus earlier this week, just days after lawmakers in the state of Victoria voted to legalize euthanasia. The device simplifies what Nitschke dubs rational suicides, ensuring that the process is painless and easyan optimal way to go.
The Sarco was developed by Nitschkes organization, Exit International, which bills itself as an aid-in-dying organisation. The machine includes a base topped by a translucent chamber perfectly proportioned to comfortably fit a human which. After settling in the pod, the user will push a button and the chamber will start to fill up with liquid nitrogen to bring the oxygen level down to about 5 percent. Around the minute mark, the user will become unconscious, experiencing almost no pain, according to the Newsweek report. (The doctor describes the changes as akin to an airplane cabin depressurizing.) After death comes, which is fairly swift, the chamber can be used as a coffin. The base, just fyi, is reusable.
In a press release, Exit International notes the Sarco was designed so that it can be 3D printed and assembled in any location and that blueprints will be free, made open-source, and placed on the Internet. While accessibility is a major selling point, there is one hurdle would-be users will need to clear: a mental questionnaire thats available online. Once a client has established mental health, theyre given a 4-digit code that opens the capsule door, the first in a series of steps to a peaceful death in just a few minutes.
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Blue_Adept
(6,402 posts)While I do believe there should be solid measures to ensure such things are utilized right, I'm very much in favor of right to end life. But I grew up reading Heinlein's Lazarus Long and so much of Time Enough for Love defined my views, including the character's regular dialogue on his right to a suicide switch to end his life.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)ill and elderly, I think there should be a painless/peaceful way out for people who have run out of options. Nobody should have to jump to their death from a height, shoot themselves, overdose or choose some other painful and messy way to end it when the time comes.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I hope the states which now allow euthanasia will be able to provide something like this, and hope more states will allow people the option of how they want to exit their time on earth.
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)She had ovarian cancer. The legal process is called MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying) here in Canada.
The method was a 3-part IV injection of anesthetics - Midazolam, propofol and rocuronium. It was utterly peaceful and serene. The most pain involved was inserting the IV line in her hand. She was unconscious within 10 seconds, and death occurred in under five minutes. It took place in our living room, and was exactly what we both wanted.
That said, the procedure required medical approval and assistance. One advantage of this approach is that death is virtually certain. Most self-administered deaths have significant room for error,which can leave one incapacitated but still alive. I faced that possibility with her two weeks before the final ending.
I posted the story of her last hours here on the End of Life Issues board:
Memento Mori
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I would have posted this there, but I didn't even know that the group existed until now.
I really wish we had that option here in the US. I am so sorry about your wife's passing, but I am glad she was able to go peacefully and on her own terms.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)and a surprising number of other countries.
and that 73 % of the people are in favor of it, esp. us boomers.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)injections. Here, you are given medication to go home and take yourself. I always thought it would be easier to have the option to go just like you were being put under for surgery instead of waiting for the medication to kick in.
LeftInTX
(25,551 posts)Which means you have to be well enough.
I saw an HBO documentary about it.
I was afraid the woman would not be able to keep the meds down. She had liver cancer and her belly had ballooned up. She couldn't eat.
Duppers
(28,127 posts)Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)last year.
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Aristus
(66,462 posts)n/t
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)sl8
(13,880 posts)Aristus
(66,462 posts)n/t
spiderpig
(10,419 posts)I'm all for a merciful, benign release.
Initech
(100,102 posts)sl8
(13,880 posts)Nitrogen asphyxiation makes sense, but using gaseous nitrogen, not liquid.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)icicle on contact. I'm pretty sure it was an error.
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)It is undoubtedly gaseous nitrogen, but it may be sourced from a liquid nitrogen supply. They certainly are not filling the chambers with liquid nitrogen.
The "suffocation is horrible" boo-birds are likely to make an appearance, not understanding that the drive to breath is CO2 build-up in the blood. It has nothing to do with lack of oxygen. In the device, one continues to breath out CO2, while not replacing it with oxygen. By preventing CO2 increasing in the blood, there is no sense of suffocation, just loss of consciousness, then death.
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)I purposely explain the CO2 effect on "air hunger" and how you won't know you aren't getting O2 as I stress the importance of tank postings and tank watches.
EX500rider
(10,856 posts)Stinky The Clown
(67,818 posts). . . . with devices similar to this? They way we carry out executions these days is barbaric. Even the guillotine was faster and therefore more humane.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)and some contiousness is still likely is less problematic I'm sure. I'll let you know next time I get guillotined.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)n2doc
(47,953 posts)Who want everyone to die in as much pain as possible, because, Gawd
(this sounds like a good way to go. And if it goes to N2 atmosphere only, for enough time (say, 30 minutes), no chance of failure.
Amazing how states continue to use the most painful ways possible for the death penalty.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)horrible way that exists. They are such hypocrites.
lindysalsagal
(20,730 posts)Seems like a much better choice, for states that have capital crimes.
hunter
(38,326 posts)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3680410/
I don't know what my opinion is. My rational mind is at odds with the bizarre cultural/religious beliefs (not exclusive to Christianity) that any suffering there's no relief from purifies the soul or something; that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, even if it does kill you.
Picture all these dead people walking around in heaven, a never ending dinner party where you eventually bump into everyone you've ever met in this life. Those who died peacefully in their sleep 103 years old having never known adversity are not the heavenly celebrities some young guy who was crucified by the Romans is.
0rganism
(23,970 posts)over 60? don't have enough $$$ to afford adequate insurance? here's an alternative plan that can save your descendants a whole mess of expensive trouble! now available at a DMV near you!
n2doc
(47,953 posts)The GOP plan is for the 99% to die in a ditch, screaming, and dead broke. Or maybe in a concrete cell.
0rganism
(23,970 posts)want to go painlessly with dignity intact? have a quiet pain-free death in private for a simple $351.99 donation to your state Republican party!
pangaia
(24,324 posts)"ALMOST" ? What does 'almost" mean?
defacto7
(13,485 posts)I have read that Nitrogen is painless even euphoric. Maybe it depends on the illness the person is suffering.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Last edited Mon Dec 4, 2017, 05:56 PM - Edit history (1)
I'm all for end of life choice. All that's needed is the nitrogen, a small container and a mask. Nitrogen creates a light sense of euphoria. Not a bad way to go. Good old ether (sp) works as well, it just stinks.
Edit: I should have said chloroform.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)It would seem that an old dry cleaning bag filled with any gas other than oxygen would do.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)After the person passes their body is instantly incinerated and neatly packaged into an urn. If you hadn't pre-selected one there is a touch screen on the front so your family member can select the one that best matches their mantel.
Actually, need to start writing that patent now
Calculating
(2,957 posts)Seems loads better than the lethal injection bs they currently use.