'Suicide pods’ creator issued warning on capsules as first British couple signs up to use them
Topics: UK News, News, World News
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: David Mariuz/Getty Images/ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: UK News, News, World News
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The creator of what has come to be known as the 'suicide pods' once issued a warning on the death capsules as the very first British couple signs up to use them.
The couple, who hail from Suffolk and have been married for 46 years, will 'die in each other's arms' as the first Brits to sign up to the extremely controversial double 'suicide pod'.
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A Swiss company called The Last Resort specialises in providing local euthanasia treatments to its patients.
It's also home to the Sarco death capsule.
The Sarco pods have been designed for use in assisted suicide and passed an independent legal review in Switzerland back in 2021.
The portable capsules, which are made with 3D-printing technology by Exit International, would take approximately 10 minutes to confirm a death. The pods are filled with nitrogen, which subsequently causes the rapid reduction of oxygen levels, leaving the person inside to lose consciousness before eventually dying.
The 10-minute process rapidly decreases oxygen levels in the capsule as patients fall unconscious within one minute and are dead nine minutes later.
Dr Philip Nitschke, also known as 'Dr Death', is responsible for creating the device which promises a painless method of suicide.
Nitschke previously issued a chilling warning to anyone who was thinking on undergoing the process.
He warned those who may want to die quickly and painlessly using his device, saying: "Once the button is pressed, there is no way back."
The British couple, Peter, 86, and Christine Scott, 80, explained the heartbreaking reason behind their decision.
Peter told MailOnline: "We have had long, happy, healthy, fulfilled lives but here we are in old age and it does not do nice things to you.
"The idea of watching the slow degradation of Chris' mental abilities in parallel to my own physical decline is horrific to me.
"Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life. Assisted dying gives her that opportunity and I would not want to go on living without her."
He continued: "We understand other people may not share our feelings and we respect their position. What we want is the right to choose. I find it deeply depressing we can't do that here in the UK.
"Yet look at the alternative. The chances of getting prompt NHS treatment for the ailments of old age seem pretty remote so you end up trapped by infirmity and pain.
"I don't want to go into care, to be lying in bed dribbling and incontinent - I don't call that a life.
"Finally, the Government swoops in to take your savings and your house to pay for it all."
Detailing her plans for her final days, Christine said: "I’d like to go walking with Peter in the Swiss Alps, by a river. I’d have a beautiful plate of fish for my last supper, and enjoy a great bottle of Merlot.
"I’d make a playlist including 'Wild Cat Blues' and 'The Young Ones' by Cliff Richard and I’ve found a poem called Miss Me But Let Me Go, which sums up exactly how I feel."
She added: "It's a lovely life but I have this diagnosis, and that's crystallised our thinking.
"Medicine can slow vascular dementia but it can't stop it. At the point I thought I was losing myself, I'd say: 'This is it, Pete, I don't want to go any further'."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.