Reliability has been consistently identified as a major important factor in assessing end of life methods. A seriously ill person wanting to end their life needs to know the method will work. No one wants to take chances with a method that might work. Reliability is essential.
Peacefulness (P - 10)
Peacefulness is the second major criteria identified by Exit. There is almost no interest in methods that are violent, irrespective of how reliable they might be.
The most commonly expressed wish by seriously ill and elderly people is that they be able to die in their sleep.
Availability (A - 10)
To be of any use the method must be available. The most peaceful and reliable drug is of no use if it is unavailable. Earlier (pre 2019) versions of the Exit RPA test listed Availability only as a secondary criteria attracting only a possible 5 points. The elevation of Availability as a primary consideration with a possible 10 points has altered the positioning of some of the methods described in this book.
Secondary Criteria
There are a number of lesser, but nevertheless highly-desired, characteristics for a method of dying. ‘Legality’ was added as a secondary criteria in 2019. The six secondary factors are listed: