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smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 12:49 PM Dec 2017

High-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 easy—an optimal way to go.

The Sarco was developed by Nitschke’s 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” that’s available online. Once a client has established mental health, they’re 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.”

[more at link...]
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High-tech suicide machine makes death a painless, peaceful, optimal way to go (Original Post) smirkymonkey Dec 2017 OP
Excellent! Blue_Adept Dec 2017 #1
I agree. Especially with the decrease in long term healthcare options for the terminally/chronically smirkymonkey Dec 2017 #2
I've been in favor of this for decades. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2017 #6
My wife received a medically assisted death three months ago The_jackalope Dec 2017 #3
Thank you for that. I responded to your post in that group. smirkymonkey Dec 2017 #5
If you read the article, you will see we DO have that option in some of the states dixiegrrrrl Dec 2017 #8
I know we have the option, but not the exact same way, i.e. the physician administered smirkymonkey Dec 2017 #13
I believe you have to be able swallow your own meds LeftInTX Dec 2017 #40
Those states are ... Duppers Dec 2017 #44
What a beautiful post for a beautiful relationship. Many never find that in this life. n/t Kirk Lover Dec 2017 #9
Thank you. I count blessings every minute. nt The_jackalope Dec 2017 #10
My favorite cousin's wife chose the same process in Canada malaise Dec 2017 #24
It's nice to live in a civilized country. nt The_jackalope Dec 2017 #41
My first thought.... Binkie The Clown Dec 2017 #4
Soylent Green wasn't a movie, it was the menu, baby! Blue_Tires Dec 2017 #32
I prefer my suicide machines chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected, and steppin' it out over the line. Aristus Dec 2017 #7
Get out while you're young... The_jackalope Dec 2017 #12
Good enough for tramps like you, I suppose. n/t sl8 Dec 2017 #35
Yeah, I get that a lot... Aristus Dec 2017 #38
I don't have a fear of death. I have a fear of suffering. spiderpig Dec 2017 #11
Damn Futurama wasn't too far off! Initech Dec 2017 #14
Liquid nitrogen?! sl8 Dec 2017 #15
I thought that was a little strange too. Liquid nitrogen would turn you into an smirkymonkey Dec 2017 #19
Such is the state of science in journalism. Thor_MN Dec 2017 #25
Kills many in confined space/tank accidents around the world. NutmegYankee Dec 2017 #39
Reminds me of: "Fry Meets Bender In A Suicide Booth" EX500rider Dec 2017 #16
I am totally opposed to capital punishment, but, if the states insist on it, why not . . . . Stinky The Clown Dec 2017 #17
And that 6 or 7 seconds after the head is severed defacto7 Dec 2017 #33
Original source... NurseJackie Dec 2017 #18
Que the screaming from the bible thumpers n2doc Dec 2017 #20
Yes, they are pro-life, but if you have to die, they want you to die in the most smirkymonkey Dec 2017 #21
And we can't use this in our prisons instead of lethal injection? lindysalsagal Dec 2017 #22
Last Cab to Darwin hunter Dec 2017 #23
and... a major piece of the GOP replacement health care plan falls into place 0rganism Dec 2017 #26
Not painful enough n2doc Dec 2017 #28
the pain seems optional, maybe they can make us pay a premium for painless deaths 0rganism Dec 2017 #29
"Around the minute mark, the user will become unconscious, experiencing almost no pain," pangaia Dec 2017 #27
Not sure why they said that myself. defacto7 Dec 2017 #31
An interesting device but unnecessary. defacto7 Dec 2017 #30
Would nitrous oxide work? Go happily. FarCenter Dec 2017 #36
Yes, that works as well. defacto7 Dec 2017 #43
I developed one of these but with mine the whole device is re-usable- snooper2 Dec 2017 #34
Why the hell aren't we using this for the death penalty? Calculating Dec 2017 #37
Non enough pain. "Vengeance is mine, saith the state..." nt The_jackalope Dec 2017 #42

Blue_Adept

(6,384 posts)
1. Excellent!
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 12:53 PM
Dec 2017

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)
2. I agree. Especially with the decrease in long term healthcare options for the terminally/chronically
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 01:07 PM
Dec 2017

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)
6. I've been in favor of this for decades.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 01:44 PM
Dec 2017

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)
3. My wife received a medically assisted death three months ago
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 01:08 PM
Dec 2017

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)
5. Thank you for that. I responded to your post in that group.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 01:31 PM
Dec 2017

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)
8. If you read the article, you will see we DO have that option in some of the states
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 01:50 PM
Dec 2017

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)
13. I know we have the option, but not the exact same way, i.e. the physician administered
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:02 PM
Dec 2017

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

(24,541 posts)
40. I believe you have to be able swallow your own meds
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 04:40 PM
Dec 2017

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.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
19. I thought that was a little strange too. Liquid nitrogen would turn you into an
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:19 PM
Dec 2017

icicle on contact. I'm pretty sure it was an error.

 

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)
25. Such is the state of science in journalism.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:02 PM
Dec 2017

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

(16,177 posts)
39. Kills many in confined space/tank accidents around the world.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 04:23 PM
Dec 2017

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.

Stinky The Clown

(67,669 posts)
17. I am totally opposed to capital punishment, but, if the states insist on it, why not . . . .
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:16 PM
Dec 2017

. . . . 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)
33. And that 6 or 7 seconds after the head is severed
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:40 PM
Dec 2017

and some contiousness is still likely is less problematic I'm sure. I'll let you know next time I get guillotined.

n2doc

(47,953 posts)
20. Que the screaming from the bible thumpers
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:37 PM
Dec 2017

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)
21. Yes, they are pro-life, but if you have to die, they want you to die in the most
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:42 PM
Dec 2017

horrible way that exists. They are such hypocrites.

lindysalsagal

(20,433 posts)
22. And we can't use this in our prisons instead of lethal injection?
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:49 PM
Dec 2017

Seems like a much better choice, for states that have capital crimes.

hunter

(38,263 posts)
23. Last Cab to Darwin
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 02:55 PM
Dec 2017


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

(23,855 posts)
26. and... a major piece of the GOP replacement health care plan falls into place
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:03 PM
Dec 2017

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)
28. Not painful enough
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:06 PM
Dec 2017

The GOP plan is for the 99% to die in a ditch, screaming, and dead broke. Or maybe in a concrete cell.

0rganism

(23,855 posts)
29. the pain seems optional, maybe they can make us pay a premium for painless deaths
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:14 PM
Dec 2017

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)
27. "Around the minute mark, the user will become unconscious, experiencing almost no pain,"
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:05 PM
Dec 2017


"ALMOST" ? What does 'almost" mean?

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
31. Not sure why they said that myself.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:35 PM
Dec 2017

I have read that Nitrogen is painless even euphoric. Maybe it depends on the illness the person is suffering.

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
30. An interesting device but unnecessary.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:31 PM
Dec 2017

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)
36. Would nitrous oxide work? Go happily.
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:55 PM
Dec 2017

It would seem that an old dry cleaning bag filled with any gas other than oxygen would do.

 

snooper2

(30,151 posts)
34. I developed one of these but with mine the whole device is re-usable-
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 03:45 PM
Dec 2017

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

(2,954 posts)
37. Why the hell aren't we using this for the death penalty?
Mon Dec 4, 2017, 04:00 PM
Dec 2017

Seems loads better than the lethal injection bs they currently use.

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