Immediately before being allowed to turn the wheel the person will be asked:
• name and date of birth • the reason why they have come to Pegasos (eg. ‘to die’) & • what they understand will happen when they turn the small white wheel (the drug will flow and they will die)
By recording these preliminary steps, Pegasos safeguards those who are present against any accusation of coercion. Pegasos can then prove to the authorities that the death was voluntary and was carried out by the person him/herself. The authorities view the recording as part of their investigations.
Exit Life Member, Zsuzsi Yardley, died at Pegasos in June 2021. Zsuzsi very kindly gave Exit permission to include the film of her final moments in this book. Zsuzsi’s final moments show the routine questions that are asked in the lead-up to a VAD. The film also shows how Zsuzsi, herself, rotated the small white wheel of the canula that allowed the drugs to flow: the drugs that ultimately caused her death.
Afterwards
After a VAD, the local Swiss authorities attend the clinic. They include: a representative of the Public Prosecutor’s office, the police and, possibly, an officer from the coroner’s office. These people inspect the body and the scene of the death.
At this point, the person who has been nominated to identify the person after their death will come forward. Once the formalities are complete, the funeral home will collect the body. The person’s ashes will be available for collection around 5 working
