Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and euthanasia which some readers may find distressing.
A video details what actually happens to your body when you use a ‘suicide pod’ as lawmakers deem it as being ‘not legal’.
The controversial new method was created by Philip Nitschke, who is also known as ‘Doctor Death’.
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According to Nitschke, the suicide pod, Sarco, works within 10 minutes by replacing oxygen with nitrogen in what his company, Exit International, describes as ‘a peaceful, even euphoric death’.
Now, a video posted to YouTube by Dr Karan, who is a general surgeon in the NHS, explains what actually happens to your body inside the pod.
It says: “This is causing serious controversy. Switzerland has legalized a new method of assisted suicide.
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“It’s a 3D printed capsule that allows the person who steps inside to end their life when they want to at the press of a button.”
How does the suicide pod work?
The video goes on to explain exactly how the pod works once the button has been pressed.
It continues: “It works by releasing nitrogen gas which lowers oxygen levels below a critical level.
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“This causes hypoxia and hypocapnia, low oxygen and low carbon dioxide levels.
“This renders a person unconscious, supposedly leading to a painless death. This is different to traditional methods of euthanasia where medical professionals are required to prescribe powerful sedatives.”
The video goes on to say: “The creator also plans to release the design so anyone can 3D print it anywhere so a person can choose whatever location they want.
“Now, although this device is set to offer people suffering with terminal conditions more control over their body and their death, it’s received a lot of criticism, mainly from glamorizing death with its futuristic design and the issue of making profit from death.”
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The suicide pod is ‘not legal’
The pod has faced a lot of controversy since it was first used last year and now Switzerland’s Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has told lawmakers that it is ‘not legal’.
While the law in Switzerland generally does allow suicide as long as the person commits the act themselves, Baume-Schneider has said that the suicide capsule isn’t ‘legally compliant’.
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In parliament, she said: “Firstly, it does not meet the requirements of product safety law and therefore cannot be placed on the market. Secondly, the corresponding use of nitrogen is not compatible with the purpose article of the Chemicals Act.”
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.