Death Physiology Hypoxia - a Peaceful, Reliable Death?
The Peaceful Pill eHandbook describes a range of methods that will bring about a peaceful and reliable death. All of the methods examined are effective because they interfere with the brain’s essential needs. A main strategy to bring about death is to block the supply or utilisation of oxygen by the cerebral cells. ‘Hypoxia’ is the general term used to cover all of the processes that do this and there are different names given to the varying ways in which cerebral hypoxia is achieved.
Hypoxic Hypoxia
Hypoxic hypoxia occurs when there is not enough oxygen getting into the lungs. This can be caused by placing oneself in a low-oxygen environment (eg. in a plane that depressurises, or using a nitrogen-filled plastic Exit bag). The Sarco euthanasia capsule has also been designed to produce this type of hypoxia.
Hypemic Hypoxia Hypemic Hypoxia occurs when the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen. This occurs when the haemoglobin in red blood cells is effected (eg. by a substance such as sodium nitrite, or a gas like carbon monoxide); making the blood incapable of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the brain.
Ischemic Hypoxia Ischemic Hypoxia occurs when the blood-flow to the cells of the brain is blocked or interfered with. Examples include failure of the heart to pump, or blockage of the vessels carrying the blood (eg. a stroke). Drugs that interfere with the action of the heart (eg. dextropropoxyphene, amitriptyline or chloroquine) end life this way.