X-Message-Number: 15695 Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 17:00:25 -0800 From: American Cryonics Society <> Subject: Re: suicide and cryonics >Message #15661 >Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 13:06:48 +1100 >From: Damien Broderick <> >Subject: suicide and cryonics > >Dr Ettinger (I believe I'm correct in using that title, although people >here sometimes refer to `Mr' Ettinger, usually when disparaging him, so I'm >not sure) wrote: > >>An even better way would be for the patient to "commit suicide" with a team >>standing by, without waiting for natural death. Suicide is not illegal in >>Michigan, although assisting in a suicide is illegal. > >Could somebody (legally) explain the methods that might be used to kill >oneself painlessly in this way without thereby causing physical, especially >neurological, damage that might make the task of revival after freezing >more difficult? I would like to learn what these methods are, either >on-list or off. > >Damien Broderick The method recommended by the Hemlock Society is a combination of barbiturates and suffocation. Take enough barbiturates to induce unconsciousness (but not death). It takes a LOT of barbiturates to induce death by themselves, and you will likely throw them up before they can do any good. Loosely tie a large (garbage-bag or leaf-bag size) plastic bag over your head. With a large bag you won't feel you are suffocating while you're still conscious. Lie down and think pleasant thoughts. That's it. You can get more details from the Hemlock Society http://www.hemlock.org/ and the books by founder Derek Humphrey (search on Amazon or Barnes&Noble (www.bn.com)) They will even sell you a "custom" suffocation bag with a window so you can see around you in your last conscious minutes. I have heard that barbiturates are cryonics-friendly and help to delay ischemic brain damage. But I'm not an expert on that, so other comments welcome. Edgar Swank, President =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= American Cryonics Society (650)254-2001 FAX (408)253-0444 P.O. Box 1509 Cupertino, CA 95015 http://www.jps.net/cryonics =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=15695