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
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American Cryonics Society                 (650)254-2001
                      FAX (408)253-0444
P.O. Box 1509
Cupertino, CA 95015         http://www.jps.net/cryonics
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