By Anjali Nayak
The concept and ideas of assisted death have been moving swiftly across the world, in fact, a small number of countries and states have legalized the process. In Switzerland, some 1300 people died using the service of the country’s two largest assisted suicide organizations (Exit (no relation to Exit International) and Dignitas). The method currently used by both companies is the ingestion of liquid sodium pentobarbital, followed by a deep coma and a safe death.
However, Philip Nitchke, founder of Exit International has a different approach to a peaceful death, without any need for controlled substances. The pod is a 3D capsule printed, activated from the inside by the person intending to die. The capsule sits on a piece of equipment, ready to flood the interior with nitrogen, rapidly reducing the oxygen level. There is no panic, no choking feeling, as after losing consciousness, death would occur after 5-10 minutes.
The goal for the Sarco pod is to “de-medicalize” the process and concept of assisted death. Currently, a doctor or doctors would have to be involved to apply the liquid sodium pentobarbital and to confirm the mental capacity of the patient. Nithcke wants to remove any kind of psychiatric review from the process.
The pod has been legalized for use in Switzerland and can also be used by the Exit International company.
