‘Suicide capsule’ used for the first time
On Monday, a 64-year-old woman died in Switzerland, for the first time in a specially designed suicide capsule, the Sarco, containing nitrogen gas.
The capsule, devised by physician Philip Nitschke, offers a quick and peaceful death without medical intervention, according to its makers. The American woman herself activated the process by pressing a button, after which the oxygen in the capsule quickly disappeared, leading to unconsciousness and death from hypoxia.
Nitschke, known for his fight for the right to self-determination, stressed that dying in the Sarco was a humane and reliable method. The woman, who suffered from a serious illness, was accompanied by the organisation The Last Resort. Although Swiss authorities were initially silent on the legality of the Sarco, doubts were later raised about its safety and the use of nitrogen gas.
Use of the Sarco is free, with only charges for nitrogen. The organisation claims it wants to offer affordable suicide care, unlike other Swiss organisations where dying assistance can cost tens of thousands of euros.
(HL/Source: Volkskrant, De Morgen, Guardian/Illustration picture: Unsplash)
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.