A group advocating for assisted dying announced that the Sarco capsule might be used in Switzerland within a few months. This portable suicide pod allows individuals to end their lives without medical supervision. Swiss media reported the device was introduced in 2019 and functions by replacing oxygen with nitrogen inside the pod, leading to death through hypoxia. Using the Sarco capsule will cost $20. The organization “The Last Resort” stated there are no legal barriers to using this device in Switzerland, where the law permits assisted suicide if the individual performs the act themselves.
How does the Sarco Capsule Work?
Before using the Sarco capsule, individuals must pass a psychiatric evaluation to confirm their mental capacity. Once inside, the person responds to automated questions to confirm their identity and understanding of the process. Philip Nitschke, the inventor of Sarco, explains that pressing a button reduces oxygen levels from 21% to 0.05% within 30 seconds. This causes disorientation, euphoria, and loss of consciousness, followed by death within five minutes. The capsule keeps monitoring on vital signs to confirm the death. Interest in the Sarco capsule is high, with inquiries already being made about its use.
Future of the Sarco Capsule
Details about the first user or the exact timing and location of the first use have not been disclosed. The process is planned to take place in a secluded, natural setting on private property. The minimum age for using the capsule is 50, but exceptions may be made for seriously ill individuals over 18. The device, which was created by Exit International, took more than €650,000 to manufacture and can presently fit people up to 1.73 meters tall. Future Sarco capsules, expected to cost around €15,000, will be larger to accommodate couples wishing to end their lives together. The only cost to the user will be for the nitrogen.
