Hypoxic Death & the Exit Bag Connecting the Cylinder to the Exit Bag
To use the Exit Bag with an inert gas, one needs to connect the gas cylinder to the Exit bag. Plastic tubing (standard 2-metre oxygen tubing with soft connectors oftern used in home nebulisers) is generally available from pharmacies. The tubing is tightly-fitted to the Max Dog regulator outlet, or the tail-end on the Helium flow control, then the other end put inside the Exit Bag, and firmly attached to the inside wall of the Bag using tape.
After the Death - The Affect of Inert Gas on the Body
The use of an inert gas with an Exit Bag produces no changes in the body that can be seen or found on initial inspection. However, in 2007 forensic laboratory tests were developed to establish the presence of gases like Helium or Argon in the lungs of the deceased.
In 2009, the first report of the use of these tests to determine the cause of death of an Exit member was noted. Such testing at autopsy is becoming more common. Helium and Argon can both be detected showing the death is not ‘natural’.
If, however, Nitrogen is used for a hypoxic death, and if the Exit bag and tube is removed, autopsy findings will be recorded as ‘inconclusive’. The Exit Bag with Nitrogen is the only totally undetectable method of a peaceful and dignified death, even when sophisticated testing at autopsy is carried out. Note, however, in some jurisdictions, the taking-away of the equipment may constitute an offence such as ‘interfering with a corpse’ or ‘interfering with the circumstances of a death.’
