Making Helium Foolproof

Home , Exit International

e-Deliverance Information + Knowledge = Choice June - July Exit International 2010 Making Helium Foolproof In recent months, there have been several reports A faulty tap can allow a slow leak of the gas over of people attempting to use ‘Balloon Time’ Helium a period of time. Clearly, the longer a cylinder is Cylinders for a peaceful death, only to discover stored, the greater the possibility of a leak and the that their cylinder did not contain the stated amount more need for the gas pressure to be checked. of gas (250 litre - small or 420 litre - large). Some people have even found that the helium cylinders To show how the pressure of a Balloon Time were less than full on purchase. helium cylinder can be checked, a step-by-step YouTube film has been produced by Exit and is in- While a low gas volume in a cylinder may be little cluded in this Deliverance Newsletter (and as part more than an inconvenience when the gas is used of the 30 June 2010 update of The Peaceful Pill for the inflation of eHandbook). party balloons, it can cause serious difficul- Note 1: An Exit flow ties and disruption fitting ensures that a when used for a peace- single, small (250 litre) ful death. cylinder contains suffi- cient gas for a peaceful In light of these death. reports, Exit is now issuing the following If the gas pressure is caution. correct, one cylinder is all that is needed. Always check that the Note 2: Recent test- cylinder is full ing by Exit of Balloon Time helium cylinders before use! ‘Exit Helium Pressure Test’ - Now on YouTube at: has found no evidence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bdkZyMQq4Q to support the oc- While the amount of casional claim that the gas has been deliberately gas in a cylinder can be measured by weighing the contaminated (eg. by the addition of oxygen by the cylinder, the small weight difference from full to manufacturer). empty makes this technically difficult.

Only very The easiest way to establish that the cylinder is INSIDE small levels of full is to measure the pressure of the gas. A full insignificant cylinder will have a pressure of ~ 1800 kPa (or 1 Making Helium Foolproof impurities ~250psi). Gauges suitable to carry out this test are 2 Chapter Webinar Update were found 2 UK Chapter Mtgs & Webinars available from www.peacefulpill.com in Exit’s gas 3 Vale: Dr Miklos Somogyi analysis. 4 Welcome Annemarie to Exit If the measured pressure 4 Nembutal by Mail - the Online differs significantly from Trade in Barbiturates the above, the cylinder 5 June 2010 PPeH Update should be discarded. 5 Test Kits Provide Peace of Mind 5 Exitorial The most likely cause of 6 Exit Forces Reply to Conroy a cylinder showing less 6 Exit Profile: Vincent Phelan than the full pressure is 7 Nth America Tour Dates a faulty cylinder tap. 7 NZ Tour Dates 8 Exit Store Chapter Webinars Australian Science Festival In May and June, Exit’s Chapter Meeting We- On Tuesday 3 August, Exit Director Dr Philip binars with Dr Philip Nitschke continued to ex- Nitschke will be a guest at the 2010 Australian pand. With Exit’s roving Chapters’ Coordina- Science Festival in Canberra. tor Elaine Arch-Rowe travelling in her RV, Exit has been able to hold webinars with members He will be speaking on his current work con- as far away as Townsville and Cairns in Far cerning the paradigm shift taking place in the North Queensland. Voluntary Euthanasia debate. W h i l e In particular he will technical argue why the ulti- hitches are mate answer to VE still be- lies not in getting ing ironed the imprimatur of out, Dr religion, politics or Nitschke medicine but in the said he be- smart use of science lieves the and technology. t e c h n o l - ogy holds For those who cannot be in Canberra, Philip’s enormous session will be broadcast live-to-air on Austral- promise as ia Talks which can heard on Radio National at a means of Philip conducting the Townsville webinar while on 6pm on Mondays to Wednesdays or by podcast providing holiday recently in Singapore at: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/ m e m b e r s with answers to their end of life technical questions and information on the activities of Exit. Advance Notice - Banned Looking forward, Chapter Webinars are planned Book Forum in Melbourne for London and Dublin (in July, see below) with On Friday 12 August Dr Philip Nitschke will Perth, Hobart and central Victoria to follow. take part in a forum on the history of Banned Watch Deliverance for details. Books at the University of Melbourne. Details to follow in the August edition of Deliverance. Chapter Meetings + Webinars London - Fri 2 July Dublin - Mon 12 July Exit International will be holding Chapter Meetings in London and Dublin in July on the London Chapter Meeting 2nd and 12th of the month respectively. Time: 10am - 12 noon As with all Exit chapter meetings, attendance Date: Friday 2 July 2010 is restricted to Exit members although others (over 50 years) are welcome to join on the day. Venue: The Green Room Attendance is, as always, free. Dragon Hall 17 Stukeley St The Chapter meeting in London will be hosted Tube: Holborn by Lindy Boyd, Lynne Shapiro and Joy God- sell. In Dublin the meeting will be hosted by Dublin Chapter Meeting Tom Curran with Lindy Boyd. Time: 10am - 12 noon Bookings are not required, just come along on Date: Monday 12 July 2010 the day. We look forward to seeing everyone. Venue: Seomra Spraoi Dr Philip Nitschke will attend both Meetings by 10 Belvedere Crt Webinar. Dublin 1

For Australian Chapter Meeting dates, visit: Morning tea will be served at both meetings. http://www.exitinternational.net/page/Chapter+News or call the Exit office on 1300 10 3948 (EXIT).

2. Vale Dr Miklos Somogyi It was with great sadness but also considerable ‘I was attached to it, the machine then relief that Exit learned that Dr Miklos Somogyi transferred me onto a commode. I was died at his hospital in Melbourne in the early untied from the hoist and wheeled above hours on Friday 21 May. the toilet.

In recent months, Dr Somogyi’s story had re- ‘When ready, someone wiped my botty ceived considerable prominence when he told and wheeled me into the shower. All this his ‘little saga’ (his words) to The Sunday Age newspaper in Melbourne and, then featured in required two nurses, and was a blow to the Australian and New Zealand editions of my dignity! Readers’ Digest. ‘It took me a few days for the facts to sink In some ways, Miklos’ story is all too common. in. I was a cripple. How would I do this In other ways it is absolutely unique and shows at home?’ how exceptional this 73-year-old retired engi- neer/ mathematician truly was. Miklos says that according to his courier tracking number his Nembutal arrived in Australia 2 days after leaving Mexico. At this point how- ever, it mysteriously disappeared.

On 27 January 2010, Miklos rationalised he had nothing to lose so he wrote to the Chief Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police Tony Negus saying that he should either be ar- rested (supposing he had broken the law) or, if not, asking the AFP to release his Nembutal. A spokesman wrote back saying the entire matter was one for the politicians. At this point, Miklos contacted his local MP 33-year-old Kelly O’Dwyer in Victoria. She Philip Nitschke visiting Miklos in hospital a few weeks before his death. responded saying the issue would not be ad- dressed for a very long time. And so Miklos Like many terminally ill Australians, upon was left to die in hospital. He died after two learning of his diagnosis of metastasized pros- days of delirium, with bed sores and his surgi- trate cancer and on experiencing the best and cal wounds seeping. worst of palliative treatment of the disease, in the absence of a law Miklos realised he had Miklos told his story to Exit in the last month of little choice but to take matters into his own his life. Exit has since made a short film which hands. is now available for viewing at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK1yBJhLlkI In October 2009 Miklos, like many others, ordered Nembutal online from Mexico. He want- Our thoughts go out to his wife, Erika, who is ed an ‘insurance policy’ for when his disease devastated by the loss of her beloved husband. got so bad that death became his preferred op- tion. Describing his toileting, Miklos did not think this day far away. He explained:

‘A brace was put on me to prevent my spine buckling. It dug into my chin and sides, and pressed my spine if it was not correctly applied.

‘Then, with help, I sat on the side of the bed. Someone wheeled in a huge lifting machine.

3. Welcome Annemarie to Exit Exit NZ gets a new face This month, Exit welcomes Annemarie Liesbeth to edition of House and Garden magazine. When not Exit’s office staff. gardening, Annemarie can be found painting or afrikan drumming. Based outside of Timaru on New Zealand’s south island, Annemarie brings her librarian skills to Exit We welcome her to taking responsibility for database coordination. Exit. Annemarie can be contacted on: Annemarie will also be on the receiving end of the Exit New Zealand phone number providing a local Email: annemarie@ point of contact for Kiwi Exit members. exitinternational.net

Originally from Holland, Annemarie has taken or a four year break from libraries to focus on her ‘house and garden project’ to such an extent that Phone: 09-889-0964 her family’s garden will feature in the July NZ Nembutal by Mail: Online Trade in Barbiturates In most, if not all, western countries it is illegal to “I dealt with this site - he scammed me. I sent him purchase Nembutal over the Net with the expecta- $300 - then he demanded another $150 and never tion that it will be mailed to your door. Indeed, in sent anything” writes Jan in California. some circumstances and some jurisdictions, a traf- ficking offence can attract a significant penalty. Henry from NYC writes: “I sent a contact email to the Mexican address listed at the time in the Peace- Experience shows that a first time offender acquir- ful Pill Handbook. After some back and forth, ing the drug for personal use is likely to receive and much trepidation on my part, on 29 March only a small fine. Many elderly and seriously ill this year I sent a Western Union money order people see the importation of Nem- for US$450 for two bottles (I have a butal as a risk worth taking. wife) of Nembutal to him in Mexico.

At the time of press, in the past “A few days later I got an acknowl- month, Exit has reports of con- edgement saying that the package firmed shipments of Mexican had been shipped and giving the UPS Nembutal to countries as diverse tracking number (Nice touch!). When as Sweden, Australia, India, UPS didn’t recognize the tracking number I knew I’d been had! Spain and Ireland. “The point is that it wasn’t US Cus- A complete list of countries can be toms that stopped the shipment. If he found in the ongoing updates to hadn’t sent the fake number I would The Peaceful Pill eHandbook at never have known for sure.’ www.peacefulpill.com. Mail order Nembutal from Mexico While Exit never condones law break- John from Ireland wites: ing, as an organisation we endeavour to present the most factual & up-to-date information about “I ordered Nembutal from X some weeks ago and all sources want to let you know that the product was deliv- of Nemb- ered safe and sound to me in Ireland on Friday last. utal, online Exit Contact included. “It takes 4-6 weeks in total for the entire purchase Exit International - USD350 for 100ml and EUR450 for 200ml. I tel. 1300-10-3948 (EXIT) (Aust only) want to add that he kept me informed of progress tel. (UK) 02071-931-557 right throughout the process and has been honest tel. (US) 1-248-809-4435 with me in all his dealings.” tel. (Aust) +61-3-9850-8192 tel. (NZ) 09-889-0964 Others write with less happy stories. One alleged fax. (Aust) +61-2-9805-9249 supplier in the Dominican Republic has come in [email protected] for some particularly harsh criticism. www.exitinternational.net www.peacefulpill.com

4. Exitorial 30 June 2010 Update It was with great satisfaction this month that Exit Peaceful PIll eHandbook was able to extract some justice from the Australian With the 31 May 2010 update of the Peaceful Parliamentary process. Pill eHandbook focusing on: • potentiating of Nembutal (with Dilantin); With the Labor Government’s plans to censor the • other barbiturates phenobarb & thiopental; Internet showing no signs of abatement, it was • new video on long-term storage solutions pleasing that I was able to achieve a Citizen’s Right for Nembutal; and of Reply to correct the misleading comments made • new Mexican sources of Nembutal. by the Communication’s Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy in a Senate Estimates Committee this The 30 June 2010 update also sees a new month. video on testing the pressure of a Helium As a Minister who seems to think it fit to take a swipe cylinder and includes a new Chapter with a at Exit at every opportunity and who is exuding an discussion of: unhealthy obsession with blacklisting our websites • Amitriptyline; & from the Internet, correcting the record gives one a • Insulin small, but significant, sense of achievement.

The Peaceful Pill eHandbook is published by Of course, it saddens me that Australia is having Exit International US at www.peacefulpill.com. an Internet censorship debate at all. Exit members A 24-month subscription is US$75. elsewhere in the world must look on and scratch their heads as our country - the land of the fair go - looks backward and inward in its attempts to keep Looking forward, Seniors and people who are seriously ill in the dark the July 2010 when it comes to end-of-life choices. update will focus on some major To this end, I am pleased in this edition of Deliver- developments in ance to announce our annual Nth America and New the area of Carbon Zealand ‘safe suicide’ tour dates. Monoxide. It is also good news that our Webinars have reached the stage where we can confidently hold our first International Chapter webinars for members in Lon- Exit Drug Test Kit don and Dublin. To remind members, Chapter We- binars are face-to-face meetings in real rooms in Provides Peace of Mind real cities. What is virtual about these meetings is The Exit Drug Test Kit continues to prove popular that I join the gathering via the Web for a proportion as increasing numbers of Exit Members use the Kit of the meeting time. To do this, an Exit staff mem- to assure themselves that they ‘have the real thing.’ ber brings a laptop, data-projector, speakers and wireless Internet access to the meeting. To this end, the Exit Drug Test Kit provides for the testing of liquid, veterinary Nembutal, determining In a Webinar, I can see the audience and you can whether or not a tested substance is Sodium Pento- see me. The images and sound are the same as if barbital (for which ‘Nembutal’ is the most common I were with you in the room in person. The Internet retail name). really is a remarkable tool in conquering the tyranny of distance and in making Exit more accessible to The testing process is outlined in new videos con- members, regardless of where they live. tained in The Peaceful Pill eHandbook at www.peacefulpill.com. Another aspect of the Webinar program which is appreciated is the fact that they cause little disrup- The Kit is only tion to the Exit R&D program. Travelling to attend available from the planned workshops around the world has occasion- Peaceful Pill Web- ally led to significant but unavoidable interruption to site (Peacefulpill.com). some Exit research projects. Webinars, though, can Within Australia the be run from the Exit laboratory and those participat- cost incl shipping is ing can benefit from seeing and being able to ask US$65 (incl GST questions on developments in particular projects. $5). The establishment of our Webinar program allows For the rest of the the best of both worlds. I look forward to seeing World the cost is: many of you virtually in US$80 (incl ship- Exit Drug Test Kit the months to come. ping). 5. Exit Forces Right of Reply in Federal Parliament to Senator Stephen Conroy Following a particularly offensive and mislead- Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith wrote that most of ing attack on Exit International by Communi- those under 40 dying of pentobarbitone toxicity cations Minister Senator Conroy at a Senate had ‘knowledge of the drug and/or access to it Estimates hearing on 24 May, Dr Philip Nitschke from their work experience or workplace.’ has been awarded a Citizen’s Right of Reply to correct the inaccuracies made by the Minister. This deliberate omission by Senator Conroy was seemingly done to bolster the Federal Govern- Of particular concern to Exit was ment’s argument that mandatory the allegation by Senator Con- Internet censorship is needed and roy that data from the Victorian that The Peaceful Pill eHand- Institute of Forensic Medicine book (which discusses Nemb- (VIFM) of the suicides of 14 utal) should be banned outright. people aged under 40 years from More than this, Exit would argue Sodium Pentobarbital was some- that the comments were also how Exit’s fault. intended to deliberately damage the reputation of Exit Director, In the Right of Reply (which Senator Stephen Conroy Dr Philip Nitschke. will be reproduced in Hansard) Exit revealed Senator Conroy’s failure to state Speaking from Darwin, Dr Nitschke has said the subsequent clarification of the figures as 'Senator Conroy has been caught out. He's an published in a letter from the Director of the embarrassment to Labor and should be dumped VIFM, Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith in The Age from the Communications portfolio.' newspaper. Exit Chapter Profile - Vincent Phelan Vincent has led the Newcastle Chapter of Exit various submissions to government enquiries. One since its inception in 2005. As proof of his support recent publication is a history of Exit in calendar for VE, Vince has even taken the bold step in hav- form ‘The World’s Shortest Book’, (12 pages from ing ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ tattooed across his chest. January to February). ‘The aim is to remind our- selves of what Exit has accomplished in our short Born in Sydney in 1931 and growing-up in the colourful history.’ Great Depression, Vincent has worked predomi- nantly in Education as an Assistant Secondary At Exit, Vincent was one of the first graduates of School Principal the Nancy’s Friends program. He has also, over and as a Lan- many years, provided invaluable support and en- guages-Adviser. couragement to new Chapter Coordinators sharing He has degrees his tips and expertise in coordinating small groups and/ or language of like-minded folk. diplomas from universities in Vincent also Italy, Canada, belongs to Australia, France, the Human- Italy, Mexico, and ist Society, Indonesia, having Friends of spent many years the ABC, living and work- Civil Liber- ing abroad. ties Council, Banner-waving in Canberra at the Day of the Glauco- Shame Rally - March 2007 Despite a life ma Support of dieting, gym, Group and daily swims and walking everywhere because he Friends of The Famous Phelan Tattoo is almost blind, Vincent continues to be referred to the Museum, by doctors as ‘old and obese’. He has been told he Art Gallery and Conservatorium. will have a heart attack or stroke ‘tomorrow or the next day’. Vince says that is fine as long as he can In his spare time - apparently he has some - he has take his Peaceful Pill the day before his stroke! been known to play piano in the City of Sydney Ei- steddfods, as well as the flute and recorder. Vince Vincent is also a prolific writer, penning pieces can be contacted on: [email protected] for publication in local newspapers and has sent

6. Nth America 2010 Tour Dates 7 October - 6 November 2010 Exit’s second annual tour of North America is now confirmed with a record 5 meeting dates. You can find a workshop registration form enclosed in this newsletter or at: http://www.exitinternational.net/page/Workshops

Phone: Exit US on 1-248-809-4435 Email: [email protected] Places are limited so bookings advised. Vancouver - Canada Thursday 7 October, 11am - 4pm (Public Mtg 11am - 12 noon; Workshop 12.30 - 4pm) Unitarian Church, 949 49 AVE West, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T1.

Toronto - Canada Wednesday 13 October, 11am - 4pm (Public Mtg 11am - 12 noon; Workshop 12.30 - 4pm) Venue TBC next Deliverance

New York City Wednesday 20 October, 11am - 4pm (Public Mtg 11am - 12 noon; Workshop 12.30 - 4pm) Community Church of NY, 40 East 35th St, NY NY, 10016

Orlando, FL Saturday 23 October, 11am - 4pm (Public Mtg 11am - 12 noon; Workshop 12.30 - 4pm) Orlando Unitarian Church, 1901 East Robinson St, Orlando.

San Franciso, CA Saturday 6 November, 11am - 4pm (Public Mtg 11am - 12 noon; Workshop 12.30 - 4pm) Venue TBC next Deliverance New Zealand Tour Dates 13 & 15 November 2010 Exit’s annual tour of New Zealand will this year include only the Nth Island (sorry Sth Islanders). To register please use the form enclosed in this newsletter or download the form at: http://www.exitinternational.net/page/Workshops

Phone: Exit NZ on 09-889-0964 Email: [email protected] Afternoon Tea will be served. Wellington Saturday 13 November, 1 - 5.15pm (Public Mtg 1 - 2pm; Workshop 2.15 - 5.15pm) St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington.

Auckland Monday 15 November, 11am - 3.30pm (Public Mtg 11am - 12 noon; Workshop 12.30 - 3.30pm) Ferndale House, 830 New North Rd, Mt Albert.

7. Exit US Store Mail Order Address: Box 4250, Bellingham WA 98227 USA Fax 1-360-844-1501 Phone: 1-248-809-4435

Print Edition - The Peaceful Pill Handbook (ONLY available from Exit US)

US $30 (includes postage within US) US $40 (includes postage worldwide)

Exit Gas Flow Controls (US$74) (ONLY available from Exit US)

Exit Pressure Gauge & Tube (US$55) (ONLY available from Exit US)

Exit Australia Store Mail Order from: Box 37781, Darwin NT 0821 Australia Fax +61 2 8905 9249 Phone: +61 3 9850 8192

Mademoiselle & Doctor DVD

Price: Australia AUD $38.50 USA: US$31 UK: £20 (incl postage) (PAL format) (NTSC format) (PAL format)

Exit Tshirts

Sizes: XXL XL L M S

Price: Australia AUD $25 (incl postage) USA: US$31 (incl postage) UK: £20 (incl postage)

Exit Online Store - www.Peacefulpill.com Exit Drug Test Kit Price: Australia US $65 (incl GST $5) Rest of World: US $80 (incl shipping worldwide)

Online Peaceful Pill eHandbook Price: US $75 (incl 24 months of updates) - INSTANT ACCESS - UPDATED MONTHLY

Join or Donate to Exit International

I wish to join/ rejoin/ donate to Exit International (12 Months: Aust - AUD$110 inclu GST $10; US/Canada US$100; UK/ Ire £60 - 12 months) Life membership granted for donations of >A$1000 Please send me the paperwork to consider Exit International in my Will First Name(s)…………………...……...... …...... I am paying $ ………...... on (today’s date)......

Last Name……………………………...……...... Visa Mastercard Cheque

Address……………………………..…..……...... Credit Card No………….………………….…......

Post/Zipcode...... Country...... Name on Card………………....…...... …...…...... eMail ...... @...... Signature…………………………………...... …......

Phone……………………...... …...... …...... Expiry Date…….……../...... ……...... Exit International PO Box 37781 Darwin, Northern Territory 0821 Australia [email protected] www.exitinternational.net