In this respect, the aesthetics of the R2D could elicit a similar adverse reaction. As one person has commented ‘when I die I want to look like sleeping beauty, not Hannibal Lecter!’ Inevita- bly some folk will shun the DeBreather (as they do the Exit Bag) because of the aesthetics (even in the post-COVID world), but it is horses for courses, and the method is, nonetheless, effective and peaceful.
Detectability
One of the advantages of a hypoxic death, (eg. using an inert gas like nitrogen, or the DeBreather) is that if the bag or facemask is removed after death (but before the death is confirmed by a doc- tor), there is no way that the exact cause of death can be estab- lished. This is why the Exit bag + nitrogen is said to be the only totally-undetectable end of life method.
However, because the DeBreather requires a well-fitted, sealing facemask, there is the possibility that the mask (upon removal) will leave a impression mark on the face. This may lead the death to be investigated as no ‘natural’ death leaves a mark of this na- ture.
