Featured Image Credit: Exit International
Warning: This article mentions topics of suicide and euthanasia
The controversial Sarco Pod is once again in the news, as the tragic legacy of the so-called 'suicide pod' continues.
Following its use in Switzerland in September 2024, the Sarco Pod was involved in a criminal investigation over the death of an unnamed 64-year-old woman.
Dr. Florian Willet was the only person present at her death, but after accusations that she had strangulation marks on her neck, he was detained for 70 days.
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Willet's story ended in heartache, with Sarco Pod creator Dr. Philip Nitschke announcing his passing.
Nitschke originally started work on the Sarco Pod back in 2017, hoping to provide an alternative to the hypoxic death provided by a 'suicide bag'.
When the Sarco was used, Nitschke released a statement saying he was "pleased that the Sarco had performed exactly as it had been designed to do: that is to provide an elective, non-drug, peaceful death at the time of the person's choosing."
On the same day it was used, Switzerland's Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider reiterated to lawmakers that the device was 'not legal'.
Having spent €650,000 ($725,000) to research and develop the Sarco Pod in the Netherlands, Nitsche had grand plans for the 3D-printed device to be reusable and cost around €15,000 ($17,000).
Those wishing to use the pod have to undertake a psychiatric evaluation to check their mental fitness, although the woman who died during its use is said to have suffered from a 'severe immune compromise'.
Fiona Stewart sits on The Last Resort's advisory board and said that the group acted on legal advice, which "since 2021 has consistently found that the use of Sarco in Switzerland would be lawful."
In terms of how much it costs to use, Firstpost states that it's a mere 18 Swiss francs ($21) for the cost of the nitrogen.
Stewart says that although the minimum age limit is set at 50, if someone over 18 were seriously ill, the team "would not want to deny a suffering person based on their age."
Once the user inside has pressed a button of their own accord, nitrogen is pumped into the pod and the oxygen levels inside drop from 21% 0.05% in less than 30 seconds.
Nitsche previously championed its use as he explained: "Within two breaths of air of that low level of oxygen, they will start to feel disorientated, uncoordinated and slightly euphoric before losing consciousness.
"They will then stay in that state of unconsciousness for… around about five minutes before death will take place."
Ahead of the pod's use, Willet said: "Since we have people indeed queueing up, asking to use the Sarco, it’s very likely that it will take place pretty soon.
"I cannot imagine a more beautiful way (to die), of breathing air without oxygen until falling into an eternal sleep."
However, since the September 2024 incident, it's not thought the Sarco Pod has been used again.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
