Double blind? Such luxury! Real convicts only get a single blindfold at best.
Looks like Alabama is looking into possibly using this method for an upcoming execution.
Interesting. Maybe it will start a trend.
I’m generally not in favor of the death penalty, but if we must have it, it seems like this is one of the more humane ways to go.
I just saw this article, and was going to post it.
Inert gas asphyxiation uses gasses that are not typically poisonous, such as nitrogen, methane or helium, as a diluting agent for atmospheric gasses. This then reduces oxygen concentration to fatally low amounts
Why not use helium? It would be funnier.
NB: I oppose capital punishment. But I have a very morbid sense of humour.)
If I am ever diagnosed with something like lewy body dementia, I am definitely going to take myself out with N2O. I am sure that there is a lot that I don’t understand but I have always wondered why this isn’t widely used.
It would really be a waste of helium, which is already under supply pressure. Doesn’t methane explode?
Nitrogen isn’t used because it’s too simple and doesn’t cause agonizing pain for the recipient. Cruelty is what it’s all about.
Using helium would be cruelly amusing because of the Donald Duck effect.
I find it odd the the human body goes into immediate panic mode with CO2 build-up, but has little reaction to O2 deprivation.
It seems pretty Darwinian. It would be rare in nature to encounter a situation where O2 would be taken away but pretty common to be subjected to CO2 accumulation.
I’ve read on forums for rodents that helium, nitrogen, and other similar gasses shouldn’t be used for euthanasia on them. They say that they can sense the lack of oxygen and will go into distress. This makes sense to me since they live underground where oxygen may be lacking. But I haven’t done any lookups to know if it’s true or not.
When I was a kid, I remember reading a good way to euthanize mice is to put them in a box and stick it next to a car’s tailpipe. I don’t know what I would have reading back then with this but it’s stuck with me all these years.
N_2O would be very unpleasant. What you want is pure N_2, the stuff that makes up 78% of the atmosphere.
Also, using Nitrogen to fill your car’s tires keeps them from getting tired.
I LOL’ed. Somehow this thread is getting hilarious…must be all the nitrous oxide in here.
I love you!
Why is that? I’ve seen people very happily fall unconscious after using nitrous oxide and continuing exposure doesn’t seem like the worst way to go.
Isn’t N2O Nitrous Oxide? All of my experiences with that have been quite pleasant
Well, Alabama’s done it.
Kenneth Smith took 22 minutes to die.
Gurney was shaking, he had violent tremors.
Active discussion here:
My SDMB does not include a BBQ pit.