People who choose to end their lives using a controversial suicide pod will hear an eight-word message before their death.
The Sarco pods have been all over the news recently after an American woman became the first person to use it.
The pod, operated by the company The Last Resort, enables users to initiate the process of euthanasia by pressing a button that releases nitrogen gas into the chamber, per BBC News.
Once the gas is released, the individual is expected to lose consciousness and die from oxygen deprivation within ten minutes.
Dr. Philip Nitschke, the creator of the device, has earned the moniker "Doctor Death" due to his advocacy for assisted suicide.
According to Dr. Nitschke, the goal of the device is to provide a peaceful way for individuals to end their lives without the use of drugs.
"It looked exactly as we expected it to," Dr. Nitschke told Dutch media, regarding the death of the American woman.
"My guess is that she lost consciousness within two minutes and that she died after five minutes," he continued.
Despite the woman’s peaceful death, the incident has led to a criminal investigation.
Swiss authorities have detained several individuals and are investigating potential charges of incitement and accessory to suicide.
The 3D-printed capsule offers voice-activated and eye-movement controls for users with limited mobility. However, once initiated, the process cannot be halted or reversed.
Per the Metro, Dr. Nitschke revealed that individuals using the pod will hear a pre-recorded eight-word message once inside: "If you want to die, press this button."
Though assisted suicide has long been legal in Switzerland, the Schaffhausen public prosecutor’s office has warned that anyone assisting with the use of the Sarco pod in the canton could face up to five years in prison.
Exit International, the group behind the Sarco pod, has reported that 120 people are currently on the waiting list to use the device, with around 25 percent of them being British nationals.
Among those on the list are Peter and Christine Scott, a British couple who have publicly announced their intention to be the first to use a two-person Sarco pod, expected to be available by January.
Peter Scott, a former RAF engineer, explained their decision in an interview with The Daily Mail, stating: “We have had long, happy, healthy, fulfilled lives, but here we are in old age, and it does not do nice things to you."
He added: "The idea of watching the slow degradation of Chris’s mental abilities in parallel to my own physical decline is horrific to me.
"Obviously, I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life. Assisted dying gives her that opportunity, and I would not want to go on living without her."
Christine, 80, was recently diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia, which played a significant role in the couple's decision.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
