Inventor dubbed Dr Death unveils grisly ‘suicide booth’ the Sarco Pod that asks three questions before suffocating user
AN INVENTOR has unveiled a grisly “suicide booth” that asks three questions before suffocating its user.
Doctor Philip Nitschke has been dubbed “Dr Death” and “the Elon Musk of assisted suicide” for his work in the controversial medical area.
He made headlines after claiming his Sarco capsule could be used in Switzerland soon.
The 3D-printed coffin-like pod is filled with nitrogen, quickly bringing oxygen down from 21 per cent to only 1 per cent in about 30 seconds.
A “disorientated” and “euphoric” feeling then follows, before users eventually lose consciousness.
Death takes places due to hypoxia (low oxygen in the body’s tissues) and hypocapnia (reduced carbon dioxide in the blood), followed by critical oxygen and carbon dioxide deprivation.
“We’re ready to use it… we’re talking to a number of people who are wanting to be the first to use it,” Netherlands-based Dr Nitschke told MailOnline.
He continued: “The person will climb into the machine, they will be asked three questions and they will answer verbally – ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’ and ‘Do you know what happens if you press the button?’
“And if they answer those questions verbally, the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed.
“And if they press the button they will die very quickly.”
Dr Nitschke, whose Exit International organisation came up with the capsule, told local media there is “no panic, no choking feeling”.
“The machine can be towed anywhere for the death,” he said.
Around 1,300 people ended their life using assisted suicide in Switzerland last year.
The Swiss government is yet to make clear whether it intends to allow use of the capsule.
Both assisted suicide and euthanasia are illegal in the UK.
For anyone struggling to cope, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or contact other sources of support, such as those listed on the NHS’s help for suicidal thoughts webpage.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm