To die peacefully and reliably is harder than it sounds. Having decided on the method of choice one then needs to obtain the necessary drugs or equipment. This can often be quite difficult as there can be many variables. Issues such as source, shelf-life and drug purity are all important factors requiring one’s attention.
This Chapter is, therefore, concerned with the efficacy of drugs that have been stored for far greater time than their stated expiry date, drugs or gases of uncertain quality or purity, drugs acquired from ‘dubious’ sources and equipment that has undergone home-modification or adaption. All of these factors can lead to concerns over the reliability of the chosen plan and can increase one’s level of anxiety in this planning stage.
NOTE -Potentiation is unnecessary if one has the stated amounts of drugs (or unmodified equipment) outlined in the other Chapters of this Handbook. Nor does it apply if one has drugs whose shelf-life is not in doubt, drugs whose origin is known, or drugs whose purity is assured.