Hypoxic Death & the Exit Bag Things to Remember
Remember, there is nothing poi- sonous about a gas such as Helium or Nitrogen. The effectiveness of this method comes from the fact that an oxygen-free environment is being created within the Exit Bag.
Fig: Gas flow @ 15l/min
1. With the regulator’s flow rate set to 15 l/min, a full cyl- inder will provide around 25 minutes of continuous gas flow.
2. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen in the Exit Bag. It is the low oxygen environment that causes death.
3. The Exit Bag should be filled with nitrogen before one exhales and pulls the bag down.
4. Once a deep breath is taken, loss of consciousness is almost immediate and death follows soon after.
5. The Exit Bag is not be tight over a person’s head. 6. The elastic collar provides a loose fit around the neck when pulled down.
7. The loose fit allows the Nitrogen to flow continuously from the Exit Bag taking any exhaled carbon dioxide with it.