Within seconds of pressing the ON button, the user will feel a rush of cold air as the nitrogen streams into the capsule base. The precipitous drop in the oxygen level within the capsule and a deep breath inspiration will see the user lose consciousness almost immediately. (There may be a momentary experience of disorientation, even euphoria, before one faints). Death fol- lows within 5 to 10 minutes.
The Use of Inert Gas
The use of an inert gas to bring about a peaceful hypoxic (low oxygen) death was chosen so that minimal medical or techni- cal skills would be needed by the user. There is no need to ob- tain restricted or illegal drugs, or employ specialist skills such as the insertion of intravenous lines. Concerns over possible problems with swallowing, gut absorption or vomiting are also eliminated. If you are alive, you are breathing, and if you are placed suddenly into a low oxygen, low carbon dioxide envi- ronment you die quickly and peacefully.
The only way to fill the Sarco capsule with nitrogen, and quickly reduce the oxygen level (thereby inducing a rapid loss of consciousness), is to use liquid nitrogen (LN2). Compressed nitrogen cannot be used as its rapid release would be far too noisy. Liquid nitrogen offers a silent alternative.
The Generator
The base of the Sarco is 3D printed. A slide draw in the rear of the structure provides access to the generator mechanism. The liquid nitrogen generator connects to the front floor of the capsule to allow, on activation, the rapid flow of nitrogen gas.