# Judge Make-You-Dead by suffocation **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 17, 2014, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648 "2014-05-17T19:37:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/21 "2014-05-18T12:12:49Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Haven’t we reached a point yet were we can have “death rays”? > > A ray so powerful it just vaporizes the convict instantly? I know in real world terms it probably wouldn’t be practical, but if money and power consumption were no object, could we do it? Well, it occurs to me that if you could generate enough heat to near-instantly vapourize a person (and not destroy anything around them) as with a Star Trek hand phaser, aren’t you essentially just boiling them away? About two-third of a human’s body is water, so a 75 kilogram person contains 50 kilograms of water. If you instantly boil 50 liters of water, wouldn’t there be intense clouds of steam, especially in an enclosed space like a death chamber? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/22 "2014-05-18T15:21:50Z")
On the other end of the spectrum, why doesn’t [scaphism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaphism) make a comeback? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/23 "2014-05-18T15:25:38Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, it occurs to me that if you could generate enough heat to near-instantly vapourize a person (and not destroy anything around them) as with a Star Trek hand phaser, aren’t you essentially just boiling them away? About two-third of a human’s body is water, so a 75 kilogram person contains 50 kilograms of water. If you instantly boil 50 liters of water, wouldn’t there be intense clouds of steam, especially in an enclosed space like a death chamber? And then sentence at-risk teens from the Scared Straight program to clean it up! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/24 "2014-05-18T17:12:04Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > On the other end of the spectrum, why doesn’t [scaphism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaphism) make a comeback? I dunno, the Clean Water Act? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/25 "2014-05-18T18:16:19Z")
Helium or any gas that displaces oxygen will work. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/26 "2014-05-18T18:18:04Z")
And it would make their last words hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/27 "2014-05-20T09:53:58Z")
Argon’s cheaper than helium, although less funny, but nitrogen’s far cheaper than either. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/28 "2014-05-22T05:44:29Z")
I keep hearing about a looming helium shortage. Best not waste it on executions. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/29 "2014-05-22T10:45:00Z")
Maybe executions could be opportunities to _make_ helium! Or would that create too much con-fusion? ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/30 "2014-05-22T14:32:14Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Air pressure nitrogen is good; you don’t even perceive the lack of oxygen. No gasping, no suffering. Workmen have died in Nitrogen environments. They just fall over unconscious, without any sign of distress at all. This is, indeed, the best way. Carbon dioxide causes distress - our bodies are hard-wired to detect it. Nitrogen OTOH completely fools the body (apparently, we do not have lack-of-oxygen detectors, only presence-of-carbon-dioxide ones). Putting a victim into a nitrogen only atmosphere would kill them without any distress or fuss. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/31 "2014-05-22T16:01:36Z")
Shouldn’t the thread title be _Judicial Make-You-Dead-By-Suffocation-ing_? ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/32 "2014-05-23T07:55:01Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Air pressure nitrogen is good; you don’t even perceive the lack of oxygen. No gasping, no suffering. Workmen have died in Nitrogen environments. They just fall over unconscious, without any sign of distress at all. Nitrogen is the coming thing for executions. See this recent article on [Slate.](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2014/05/death_by_nitrogen_gas_will_the_new_method_of_execution_save_the_death_penalty.html) ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/33 "2014-05-23T11:09:21Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Air pressure nitrogen is good; you don’t even perceive the lack of oxygen. No gasping, no suffering. Workmen have died in Nitrogen environments. They just fall over unconscious, without any sign of distress at all. Yes. But they do have convulsions, which many people, I know not why, seem to think is a sign of pain and distress. This in spite of the fact that all the time there are some people who are epileptic, and other people who have survived oxygen deprivation episodes, who can describe the experience. In any case, don’t confuse the reported experience “I just drifted away without any distress”, with the external physical effects – which includes convulsions as well as loss of conciousness. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/34 "2014-05-23T11:48:57Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Yes. But they do have convulsions, which many people, I know not why, seem to think is a sign of pain and distress. > > This in spite of the fact that all the time there are some people who are epileptic, and other people who have survived oxygen deprivation episodes, who can describe the experience. > > In any case, don’t confuse the reported experience “I just drifted away without any distress”, with the external physical effects – which includes convulsions as well as loss of conciousness. I’d be interested in a cite for that. We had a co-worker succumb to nitrogen a few years ago: he drifted off, rolled into the fresher air, then, thinking he was just hung over from the previous night’s drinking, resumed his job and fell over again, this time when someone saw him and pulled him out. We did an extensive study on nitrogen safety and learned that the victim really does drift off unaware. And, as noted in my post above, the air we breathe all day is at least 70% nitrogen. But I’m willing to believe that in some form, the body is going to show outrage at any method to destroy its function If what we desire in an execution is: 1. instant death (because we are so, so kind-hearted), and 2. no physical trauma (because that creeps us out), then we’re in a dilemma, because we can’t have our cake and eat it too. Split-second annihilation is possible with electrocution: the current travels faster than neurotransmission, so the victim is literally dead before he knows it. But it’s stinky and the victim’s body jerks around, even when we do the second blast at lower voltage. When we die of natural causes, as peacefully as possible, it takes hours and even days for the last sections of our central nervous system to completely flicker out. If we want to have the power to impose an unnatural death on transgressors, we’ll never be able to overcome certain natural conditions of death: that it normally doesn’t happen instantly nor painlessly, and it’s various forms will trigger our natural revulsion. So let’s just bung them up in the jug and wait for them to die of old age. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/35 "2014-05-23T17:59:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Shouldn’t the thread title be _Judicial Make-You-Dead-By-Suffocation-ing_? Spare us your euphemisms! ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/36 "2014-05-23T22:56:25Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Air pressure nitrogen is good; you don’t even perceive the lack of oxygen. No gasping, no suffering. Workmen have died in Nitrogen environments. They just fall over unconscious, without any sign of distress at all. No gasping? I don’t believe that is true. I’ve seen mice and rats killed via CO2. They gasp. I would think the result of N2 would be the same. If I had to be executed, I’d prefer a large caliber bullet, or six, to the head. Instant death. Of course my method would cause a disgusting mess of brain matter, bone and blood spattered about, but as the executed, I wouldn’t worry about that. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/37 "2014-05-24T01:32:28Z")
[http://www.theonion.com/video/ohio-replaces-lethal-injection-with-humane-new-hea,36077/](http://www.theonion.com/video/ohio-replaces-lethal-injection-with-humane-new-hea,36077/) A tad messy, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![BlueMit11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@BlueMit11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueMit11)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/38 "2014-05-25T03:31:40Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Haven’t we reached a point yet were we can have “death rays”? We have. Since the 1920’s. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/39 "2014-05-25T15:37:24Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > [http://www.theonion.com/video/ohio-replaces-lethal-injection-with-humane-new-hea,36077/](http://www.theonion.com/video/ohio-replaces-lethal-injection-with-humane-new-hea,36077/) > > A tad messy, perhaps. For half a sec, there, I thought the warden was played by Brent Spiner. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648/40 "2014-05-25T17:19:35Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > On the other end of the spectrum, why doesn’t [scaphism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaphism) make a comeback? You asked [for it.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEujRoTXAZk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648.md?page=3)