{"id":3543,"date":"2023-10-03T01:01:14","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T01:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/?page_id=3543"},"modified":"2024-06-15T16:07:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T16:07:08","slug":"other-choices-for-ending-life","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/other-choices-for-ending-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Other Choices for Ending Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

OTHER CHOICES FOR ENDING LIFE<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

This section is a discussion of inert gases and other possible choices.<\/p>\n

Inhaling an inert gas is a third major choice after Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). VSED and inert gases are Do it Yourself (DIY). Indeed, if someone helps you breathe an inert gas, or initiates VSED on an incapacitated patient, they are committing a crimeIn Nevada initiating Stopping Eating and Drinking by AD (SED by AD) is legal.<\/span><\/span>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

INERT GASES<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Inert gases are oderless, colorless and tasteless. Because of these properties, they are more dangerous than toxic gases: they can painlessly kill in small confined areas by depriving the brain of oxygen without warning. There are seven of them, the most known are neon, radon, helium and nitrogen.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Helium<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In the past Helium was used for self-deliverance. It was readily available (at party stores for blowing up balloons), and inexpensive (compared to other inert gases and drugs), Unfortunately, in the last few years this simplicity has been complicated by the shortage and the high cost of helium. So the manufacturers started diluting party helium with air. It has been assumed that this dilution will render helium ineffective for self deliverance. For some reason, no one has volunteered to find out if the dilution really matters.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Nitrogen<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

So the right-to-die movement has switched to nitrogen.\u00a0 It too is available, but it is more costly, not as close by as the party store, is heavier than air, and comes highly pressurized.\u00a0\u00a0 In sum, there are complications.<\/p>

First, when a nicely dressed lady (or anyone not looking like a welder) walks into a welding supply store to buy a tank of nitrogen, there are questions.<\/p>

Second, the high pressure means a pressure regulator has to also be purchased, and must be screwed onto the gas tank, assuming the fittings are the same size.\u00a0 The user has to know what pressure to set on the regulator.<\/p>

Third, there must be enough nitrogen allowed into the plastic bag to force out all of the lighter air.\u00a0 Unlike helium, gravity is a complication not a help.<\/p>

Fortunately help is available \u2013 from the Final Exit Network<\/a>, also known as FEN.\u00a0 FEN goes back to the helium days.\u00a0 A patient must submit his or her medical record, so that FEN can see why it is she or he wants to end life early.\u00a0 More importantly, it wants to be sure that the patient is mentally competent and not just suffering from depression.\u00a0 After this screening an “exit guide” will, if you want, come to your home to talk about what to buy and how to hook it all up and make it work.\u00a0 The guide will not buy anything for you, and will not assist you to set up the equipment.\u00a0 So FEN does not, for the legal reason discussed above, assist.\u00a0 FEN\u2019s guides have been accused of assisting suicide by district or county attorneys, but, with one exception, those attempts failed because there was no proof of overt assistance; also FEN successfully asserts it right to freedom of speech.\u00a0 The exception was in Minnesota, which has a very broadly-worded assisted suicide statute.
Click for More Info.<\/a><\/p>

After someone dies from inhaling an inert gas, there is the problem of the equipment still sitting there. If seen by police or other authorities a question arises about possible foul play. This leads to an investigation. This also means a death certificate can\u2019t be obtained until the investigation is over and the cause of death is known. FEN used to simply take the equipment and throw it in a dumpstser down the street. It doesn\u2019t do that any more, although the family may. The important points here are three: 1) avoid an investigation in any sensible way, 2) have someone take a video of the\u00a0whole ingestion process with his or her cell phone, and 3) keep on friendly terms with the patient\u2019s primary physician, who can issue a death certificate without having seen the patient recently if s\/he knows of the underlying illness believes it likely caused the death.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

SWITZERLAND<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Switzerland is the only country in the world that allows non-residents to voluntarily end their lives.\u00a0 Self-deliverance is decriminalized in Switzerland, and, unlike the United States, assisting a “suicide” is not a crime as long as the motive is not selfish. \u00a0 The approval process can take months. By the time one factors in travel expenses to Switzerland, it can cost $10,000 or more.<\/p>

A terminal illness or unbearable suffering is required. Patients must have decision making capacity. Direct assistance is not allowed; In addition to oral ingestion, there can be intravenous application provided the patient can turn a small wheel to start the lethal medication flowing. The young and mentally ill are excluded.<\/p>

Two of the most well-known clinics are:<\/p>

Pegasos<\/a> is a non-profit and has English speakers on staff.<\/p>

Dignitas<\/a> has been helping non-residents since 1998.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

DOCTORS ORDERS AS PLANNING TOOLS\u2013DNR, POLST, MOLST<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n
DNR<\/b><\/dt>\n
DNRs mean D<\/b>O N<\/b>OT R<\/b>ESUSCITATE. These doctors' orders are largely replaced by forms like the POLST (next).<\/dd>\n
POLST<\/b><\/dt>\n
Stands for P<\/b>hysician\u2019s O<\/b>rder for L<\/b>ife S<\/b>ustaining T<\/b>reatment. The form is available in many states, but may have a different name: MOST, MOLST, POST, TPOPP, sometimes with a prefix designating the state. These forms are very much the same. In some states other medical professionals can sign the form, such physician\u2019s assistants and nurse practitioners.<\/span><\/span> <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In this website California\u2019s POLST is discussed, so there are likely minor differences if you reside elsewhere. Check out your state<\/a> here. The forms are printed in pink to make them standout.\u00a0 But the form need not be colored.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>

One can have both an advance directive and one of these forms. The two must be consistent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Forms of this type, being a doctor’s order, override a directive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

The forms allow you to specify medical treatments or levels of treatment you want or don’t want, including options for artificial feeding, similar to choices in advance directives.<\/p>

EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) must comply with these forms; they need not comply with a directive.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>

These forms are NOT VALID unless signed by an authority designated by state law.\u00a0 In many places, this is your physician and physician assistants and nurse practitioners.<\/p>

Some people post the original of the form on their refrigerator or other very obvious place.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

It is a good idea to distribute copies of these forms in multiple places, on your phone, in your car, to your hospital, etc. just like you will do with your advance directive.\u00a0<\/p>

In the opinion of many, including the author of this website,\u00a0 POLSTs and all such forms are over used.\u00a0 Their use is widespread for several,\u00a0 rather weak, reasons.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n
  • They are in a standard one page form that is easily understood by emergency technicians and others. Not so advance directives.<\/li> \n
  • They are easy to find (usually kept on the refrigerator with a magnet). Advance directives don\u2019t stand out, and indeed may even be locked up.<\/li> \n
  • Medical institutions and senior retirement communities, for the above reasons, urge their patients or residents to get a POLST or MOLST completed, regardless of your health.<\/b>\n<\/li> \n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Methods NOT<\/b> to be Considered<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    DRUGS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Drugs can be lethal of course, as the unfortunate abuse of fentanyl demonstrates.<\/p>

    Early in the right-to-die movement barbiturates, which lower your heart rate and blood pressure, were a choice, particularly seconal and pentobarbital (Nembutal).\u00a0 But barriers to their use have developed that change that.<\/p>

    The barriers are:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n
    • High cost (at least for human use ($5000), but not for use on our pets. <\/li> \n
    • Largely prohibited by the federal government. <\/li> \n
      • Customs will confiscate out-of-the-US packages that it believes contain prohibited drugs.<\/li><\/ul>\n
      • The purity of street drugs or drugs from other countries is never assured.\n <\/li> \n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Then there are other less-effective drugs yet lethal in large qauntities. These are pain medications, antidepressants, sleep aids and tranquilizers. Besides the large quantities needed, there is the issue of how long it will take to die. If the drug fails to kill, the issue of damaging side effects becomes relevant.<\/p>\n

        There are several opioids, especially MORPHINE and its variants, that can cause death; ALTHOUGH Nitschke\n\nAuthor of the Peaceful Pill Handbook.\n<\/span>\n<\/span>\nsays the effects of morphine are wildly variable. These pain killers can be effective but only if not used by the patient for some time. That is, effectiveness diminishes with use. It is also subject to the barriers above.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        CARBON MONOXIDE GAS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Carbon monoxide (CO) is toxic.  Inert gases are not.  A failure with CO can leave the patient with severe incapacities.    (To top it off,  these days it is not easily obtainable by breathing car exhaust; catalytic converters remove virtually all CO from the exhaust once the car has warmed up a few minutes).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        CAROTID ARTERY COMPRESSION<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        A tourniquet tightened around the neck can quickly cause death due to lack of oxygen to the brain.\u00a0 Unconsciousness ensues almost immediately. The weakness in this method is how does an unconscious person keep the tourniquet wound up?<\/p>

        The answer is perhaps by using a stick or long wood spoon handle to do the \u00a0winding.\u00a0 Then the patient lodges it on the shoulder just before passing out.\u00a0 It is easy to see that this is not reliable method (For more information, see Docker, Five Last Acts \u2013 The Exit Path (third edition, 2013).<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        YET MORE METHODS<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        There are still more methods of self-delivery.\u00a0 Two books that list them are:<\/p>

        Final Exit<\/em> by Derek Humprey.\u00a0 This book was and still is a best seller, with millions sold around the world. \u00a0\u00a0It is easy to read and understand.\u00a0 Be sure to get the current update.<\/p>

        Five Last Acts \u2013 The Exit Path<\/em> by Chris Docker (2013). This 700 page treatise lists yet more methods, and goes into some detail on most of them, including carotid artery compression.\u00a0 It is still available at Amazon.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Page date: 6\/15\/24<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        OTHER CHOICES FOR ENDING LIFE This section is a discussion of inert gases and other possible choices. Inhaling an inert gas is a third major choice after Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). VSED and inert gases are Do it Yourself (DIY). Indeed, if someone helps you breathe an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3543","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3543"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7225,"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3543\/revisions\/7225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}