As strange as it may sound, in Switzerland, a portable suicide pod named Sarco is going to be available for use within months. An assisted dying group expects a portable suicide pod to be used for the first time in Switzerland, providing death without medical supervision.

The space-age-looking Sarco capsule, which was first unveiled in 2019, replaces the oxygen inside it with nitrogen, leading to death caused by hypoxia. It would cost $20 to use.

According to Last Resort organisation, there is no legal obstacle to its use in Switzerland, where the law generally allows assisted suicide if the person commits the lethal act themselves.

“Since we have people indeed queueing up, asking to use the Sarco, it’s very likely that it will take place pretty soon”, told The Last Resort’s chief executive Florian Willet during a press conference. “I cannot imagine a more beautiful way (to die), of breathing air without oxygen until falling into an eternal sleep,” he added.

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The person who wish to die should pass a psychiatric assessment of their mental capacity, a key legal requirement.

It is just a button away. The person had to climb into the purple coloured capsule, close the lid, and is asked automated questions such as who they are, where they are and if they know what happens when they press the button. “‘If you want to die’, the voice says in the processor, ‘Press this button’”, said Sarco inventor Philip Nitschke, a leading global figure in right-to-die activism.

Once the button is pressed, the amount of oxygen in the air plummets from 21 per cent to 0.05 per cent in less than 30 seconds, explained Nitschke. “Within two breaths of air of that low level of oxygen, they will start to feel disorientated, uncoordinated and slightly euphoric before losing consciousness… They will then stay in that state of unconsciousness for… around about five minutes before death will take place”, he said.

Speaking about someone changing their mind last moment, Nitschke said: “Once you press that button, there’s no way of going back”.

Decision on date and location of the first death, or who might be the first user is not decided yet, and such details would not be made public until it was over.

“We really don’t want a person’s desire for a peaceful passing Switzerland to turn into a media circus,” said lawyer Fiona Stewart, who is on The Last Resort’s advisory board.

When asked if the first use would be in this year, she said, “I would say yes”.

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The minimum age limit is set at 50, though if someone over 18 was seriously ill, “we would not want to deny a suffering person based on their age”, said Stewart.

The Exit International organisation of Nitschke, which owns the Sarco, is a non-profit group funded by donations. Stewart said the only cost for the user would be 18 Swiss francs ($20) for the nitrogen.

The potential use of the capsule has created a host of legal and ethical questions in Switzerland, reigniting debate on assisted dying. The Wallis cantonal doctor has banned its use, while other cantons have voiced reservations. “It’s our understanding that there’s no legal impediment to the Sarco being used… despite what any canton says”, said Stewart.

It took more than 650,000 euros ($710,000) research and over 12 years to develop this 3D-printable capsule. Stewart said it had been tested with instruments in a workshop in Rotterdam over the last 12 months. It has not been tested on humans or animals. The current capsule could only accommodate someone five feet and eight inches (1.73 metres) tall. The development team is seeking to build a double Sarco so couples could end their lives together. Future Sarcos could cost around 15,000 euros. The Sarco will never be permitted for use in capital punishment, said The Last Resort.

(With inputs from agencies)

(This news story may contain content to suicide and suicidal behavior. Such topics can be sensitive and may trigger emotional responses. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviors, we urge you to seek help immediately. Contact your local mental health crisis hotline, a mental health professional, or a trusted person in your life.

You may call 14416 or 1-8008914416 Tele MANAS service, a comprehensive mental health care service by the Government of India.)