Many end of life options are discussed in this book and it can be a daunting project trying to distinguish or compare the relative advantages or shortcomings of one over the other. To simplify the process, we have developed a simple rating system that can be applied to all end of life methods. We call this the Reliability, Peacefulness and Availability Test – the ‘Exit RPA Test’.
Primary Criteria
The ‘Exit RPA Test’ provides a benchmark against which all end of life options can be considered. The values addressed by the test came to Exit’s attention through specific research on the notion of a Peaceful Pill and also through personal accounts and anecdotes over the past decade. This feedback continues to identify two principal factors in people’s preferences for end of life methods. These factors are ‘Reliability’ and ‘Peacefulness.’ In 2019 a further primary criteria was added - ‘Availability’.
In the RPA Test, Reliability, Peacefulness and Availability are each given a score of 1 to 10. The higher the number, the more reliable, peaceful and available the method in question. For example, Nembutal achieves a high overall score, hanging a very low score.
Note - since the inclusion of the COVID-19 chapter, the RPA Table has been adjusted to include this analysis.
