Comments on: Blog Archives http://assisted-dying.org/blog Weblog of Derek Humphry, founder of the Hemlock Society & author of Final Exit, serving the rights of competent, terminally ill adults for 30 years Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:05:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: gold4k http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11309 gold4k Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:18:14 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11309 I have concerns about the balloon kits. I have done some test runs and they all run about 3 minutes. Since it takes about 12 minutes to actually expire, there is a huge difference. I also found out that there is air mixed in with helium into these balloon kits. So i am concerned about this method creating an extended life with brain damage. Given that Terry Schiavo could reach and thrash about, could any of us possibly pull off the hood before death? REPLY There is no air in the actual tanks. If the kit is used properly, as outlined and illustrated in the book '<a href="http://www.finalexit.org" rel="nofollow">Final Exit'</a> the outcome is fatal. We have experience of several hundred cases; none which done carefully were botched. The helium must reach the brain in a pure state -- not a trace of oxygen. Be wary of the wild stories related on the internet. Most of these people were experimenting and not really wishing to die. -- Derek Humphry, <a href="http://www.finalexit.org/ergo-store" rel="nofollow">ERGO</a> I have concerns about the balloon kits. I have done some test runs and they all run about 3 minutes. Since it takes about 12 minutes to actually expire, there is a huge difference. I also found out that there is air mixed in with helium into these balloon kits.
So i am concerned about this method creating an extended life with brain damage.
Given that Terry Schiavo could reach and thrash about, could any of us possibly pull off the hood before death?

REPLY There is no air in the actual tanks. If the kit is used properly, as outlined and illustrated in the book ‘Final Exit’ the outcome is fatal. We have experience of several hundred cases; none which done carefully were botched. The helium must reach the brain in a pure state — not a trace of oxygen.
Be wary of the wild stories related on the internet. Most of these people were experimenting and not really wishing to die.
— Derek Humphry, ERGO

]]> By: treehouse http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11262 treehouse Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:56:23 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11262 As a follow-up to my previous blog, if you don't opt to use the brass regulator and just fully open the value on the cylinder with a 5/16" vinyl hose attached, will there be too much helium entering the bag and therefore too much carbon dioxide being exhaled into the bag, possibly causing the person to gasp for air, therefore sabotaging the experience? Based on what I have read from everything on the net, if you use the large full cylinder with the 5/16" hose, you lose consciousness immediately and you will die in minutes, therefore accomplishing the objective. As a follow-up to my previous blog, if you don’t opt to use the brass regulator and just fully open the value on the cylinder with a 5/16″ vinyl hose attached, will there be too much helium entering the bag and therefore too much carbon dioxide being exhaled into the bag, possibly causing the person to gasp for air, therefore sabotaging the experience? Based on what I have read from everything on the net, if you use the large full cylinder with the 5/16″ hose, you lose consciousness immediately and you will die in minutes, therefore accomplishing the objective.

]]> By: treehouse http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11261 treehouse Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:06:33 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11261 If you properly make the helium hood with the draw cord so it's not too tight but it fits snugly, is it necessary to buy the brass regulator or can you just attach the hose to the Balloon Time cylinder, place it in the hood and fully open the value? From what I read, you lose consciousness immediately and you are dead in a few minutes, so what is the benefit of buying the expensive brass regulator and the pressure gauge. I'm assuming every unopened Balloon Time box should be full of helium. ANSWER: We don't believe that the brass regulator is necessary. It slows the input of gas considerably. But the Australians believe it is necessary. So it's a matter of opinion. As to full tanks, it's safer to have two just in case one is empty. If you properly make the helium hood with the draw cord so it’s not too tight but it fits snugly, is it necessary to buy the brass regulator or can you just attach the hose to the Balloon Time cylinder, place it in the hood and fully open the value? From what I read, you lose consciousness immediately and you are dead in a few minutes, so what is the benefit of buying the expensive brass regulator and the pressure gauge. I’m assuming every unopened Balloon Time box should be full of helium.

ANSWER: We don’t believe that the brass regulator is necessary. It slows the input of gas considerably. But the Australians believe it is necessary.
So it’s a matter of opinion. As to full tanks, it’s safer to have two just in case one is empty.

]]> By: painlessone http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11240 painlessone Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:54:22 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11240 VikingQueen, My thought was to connect a CPAP mask to the Nitrogen regulator output. With sufficient regulated pressure, it would feel no different than using the CPAP as usual, and with the mask outlet the outgassing of CO2 might actually be faster, causing unconsciousness more quickly. In addition, with a secure headstrap, there is far less likelyhood of accidental removal. One would also not have to experience the "bag". Ergo, I saw a previous post regarding the use of a CPAP mask which you generally said was a bad idea. Would you kindly elaborate why this is the case? ANSWER: Surgical masks and similar blow off or lift when the inert gas is turned on. For effectiveness, the helium has to be pure and only a plastic bag ensures that. VikingQueen,
My thought was to connect a CPAP mask to the Nitrogen regulator output. With sufficient regulated pressure, it would feel no different than using the CPAP as usual, and with the mask outlet the outgassing of CO2 might actually be faster, causing unconsciousness more quickly. In addition, with a secure headstrap, there is far less likelyhood of accidental removal. One would also not have to experience the “bag”.
Ergo, I saw a previous post regarding the use of a CPAP mask which you generally said was a bad idea. Would you kindly elaborate why this is the case?
ANSWER: Surgical masks and similar blow off or lift when the inert gas is turned on. For effectiveness, the helium has to be pure and only a plastic bag ensures that.

]]> By: vikingqueen http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11236 vikingqueen Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:19:33 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11236 I have thoroughly read the Final Exit book twice but I have a concern. I have obstructive sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at night to keep me from long pauses of no breathing. Without CPAP I can go up to 45 seconds without taking a breath. Then the oxygen deprivation response kicks in and I breathe a bit and then stop. The CPAP keeps my airway open so I don't quit breathing. Will this cause a problem with the use of helium hood? If I have disrupted breathing, then I won't be blowing off as much CO2? Has this problem come up before? I was thinking of using my CPAP with helium hood but the machine itself would have to also be INSIDE the hood or it will provide continuous fresh air from outside the hood. Any suggestions in how to overcome this problem? ANSWER I think in a case with these built-in complications it would be wisest not to use the helium hood method. I have thoroughly read the Final Exit book twice but I have a concern. I have obstructive sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at night to keep me from long pauses of no breathing. Without CPAP I can go up to 45 seconds without taking a breath. Then the oxygen deprivation response kicks in and I breathe a bit and then stop. The CPAP keeps my airway open so I don’t quit breathing.

Will this cause a problem with the use of helium hood? If I have disrupted breathing, then I won’t be blowing off as much CO2? Has this problem come up before? I was thinking of using my CPAP with helium hood but the machine itself would have to also be INSIDE the hood or it will provide continuous fresh air from outside the hood. Any suggestions in how to overcome this problem?

ANSWER I think in a case with these built-in complications it would be wisest not to use the helium hood method.

]]> By: mark_robert http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11125 mark_robert Mon, 09 May 2011 16:52:19 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11125 Hi, I was wondering if I could still buy the kit from the following address: GLADD Group 3755 Avocado Blvd # 166 LA MESA CA 91941 USA No. GLADD is closed after an FBI raid. There is no other source. A person could make their own from the instrustions in 'Final Exit -- paperback or ebook Hi,
I was wondering if I could still buy the kit from the following address:

GLADD Group
3755 Avocado Blvd # 166
LA MESA CA 91941 USA

No. GLADD is closed after an FBI raid.
There is no other source. A person could make their own from the instrustions in ‘Final Exit — paperback or ebook

]]> By: Judy http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11024 Judy Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:55:31 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11024 I am new to this site and am so thankful to have learned of the resources available so I can educate myself on this issue. I really would like to help in some way to move this process forward; don't know how that might be, but I am willing to learn. I feel so very passionate about this issue, and have for a number of years; I already feel a sense of becoming more in control of my ultimate destiny knowing that there are many others who feel as I do. The difference between me and those about whom I have read above is that I am healthy, happy and 65. I simply want to know that if I encounter a terminal illness, a debilitating injury or any myriad of other horrible disabilities in later years, that I have options in place so I do not have to live a life trapped in pain, suffering or total incapacitation. I am new to this site and am so thankful to have learned of the resources available so I can educate myself on this issue. I really would like to help in some way to move this process forward; don’t know how that might be, but I am willing to learn. I feel so very passionate about this issue, and have for a number of years; I already feel a sense of becoming more in control of my ultimate destiny knowing that there are many others who feel as I do.

The difference between me and those about whom I have read above is that I am healthy, happy and 65. I simply want to know that if I encounter a terminal illness, a debilitating injury or any myriad of other horrible disabilities in later years, that I have options in place so I do not have to live a life trapped in pain, suffering or total incapacitation.

]]> By: graceie http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-11010 graceie Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:45:12 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-11010 Bless your good heart Ergo. Thank you for the good work you do on behalf of those who suffer and would like options Bless your good heart Ergo.
Thank you for the good work you do on behalf of those who suffer and would like options

]]> By: alphalovely http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-10983 alphalovely Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:29:33 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-10983 What is considered a hopeless terminal illness? I have been suffering from CFSID/FM, for 25 years and have been told from the beginning that I will never get better. This is certainly considered hopeless and it feels like a slow painful way to die just waiting it out for something else to terminate it. Are there any others out there with CFS who can relate to being a "living corpse" on this kind of death row. I don't really want to die, but I definitely don't want to keep living this life just so no one else feels bad when I am gone. It may be selfish to deliver myself, and I have been told so, but they are not living inside my body! This illness has taken away everything I hold near and dear and I think of it a "spirit" of infirmity that is akin to being trapped in an abusive relationship. Yes, I am depressed, but this is not a mental illness, but a natural response to a hopeless situation. What is considered a hopeless terminal illness? I have been suffering from CFSID/FM, for 25 years and have been told from the beginning that I will never get better. This is certainly considered hopeless and it feels like a slow painful way to die just waiting it out for something else to terminate it. Are there any others out there with CFS who can relate to being a “living corpse” on this kind of death row. I don’t really want to die, but I definitely don’t want to keep living this life just so no one else feels bad when I am gone. It may be selfish to deliver myself, and I have been told so, but they are not living inside my body! This illness has taken away everything I hold near and dear and I think of it a “spirit” of infirmity that is akin to being trapped in an abusive relationship. Yes, I am depressed, but this is not a mental illness, but a natural response to a hopeless situation.

]]> By: ergo http://assisted-dying.org/blog/blog-archives/comment-page-1/#comment-10913 ergo Sun, 26 Sep 2010 03:24:50 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?page_id=20#comment-10913 Tamara, Visit the ERGO internet bookstore for some informative books on euthanasia www.finalexit.org/ergo-store Tamara,
Visit the ERGO internet bookstore for some informative books on euthanasia
http://www.finalexit.org/ergo-store

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