Discussion Exit bag reliability

[OneLittleEmail]

So I've been considering the exit bag as a way to go for a while now. Having researched this method, I've realized that it is very, very complicated. Nonetheless, I'm still going with it - but I have 2 main questions that I haven't found a clear answer to in the inert gas megathread:

1. How does one physically feel during the execution of this method? I know, it's considered to be painless and stuff, but I just can't comprehend it. There has to be a headache of some sort at least, isn't there? Or am I just overthinking? I saw a video of a pig getting euthanized and the animal looked like it was panicking for a sec. It doesn't necessarily have to be painless for me personally, I just want to know what to prepare for.

2. Does the exit bag bring any complicated side effects if failed to do right? Some people report ripping off the bag when falling unconscious. Considering if that or any other external occurrence will somehow interrupt the process, will I have to face any side-effects due to brain damage? Another way of saying this: will I lose my brain capacity in the event of a failure? If so, how bad is it and how long will it theoretically take me to recover (granted it is recoverable) if I decide to go on with my life?

As a side note I also thought of adding this question to my thread:

3. Any things to consider before executing this method that are not common knowledge or at least are very often ignored? I'm asking this primarily those people who have previously failed to go through with the exit bag. If you are one, can you please tell what has been your mistake?

I am hoping to get some feedback on this. I love you guys, and I hope this page will become of use for someone considering this method as well <3

 

[Nowilltolive90]

I'm in a similar position to you although I've already decided to use an exit bag. The mega thread does make it sound more complex than it actually is, it's just making sure that you succeed and don't cause barotrauma in the process. Look around for another thread called 'I'm thinking of doing the exit bag metjod. Does anyone have any advice for this method?'. Not sure if I'm allowed to link it but there's a video on there along with some annotations to help you understand it, I'm going to follow that guide using 99% helium.

 

[OneLittleEmail]

Look around for another thread called 'I'm thinking of doing the exit bag method. Does anyone have any advice for this method?'. Not sure if I'm allowed to link it but there's a video on there along with some annotations to help you understand it

Thanks a lot! I've checked that video out and it helped. Still, I am very interested in finding out the answer to my two main questions.

I'm going to follow that guide using 99% helium.

Is there a difference between nitrogen and helium? And a little silly question: will my last breath be an "Elvin and the chipmunks" style sigh? Idk that fact alone makes me lean more towards the nitrogen option, to be honest.

 

[sickInsominic42]

So I've been considering the exit bag as a way to go for a while now. Having researched this method, I've realized that it is very, very complicated. Nonetheless, I'm still going with it - but I have 2 main questions that I haven't found a clear answer to in the inert gas megathread:

1. How does one physically feel during the execution of this method? I know, it's considered to be painless and stuff, but I just can't comprehend it. There has to be a headache of some sort at least, isn't there? Or am I just overthinking? I saw a video of a pig getting euthanized and the animal looked like it was panicking for a sec. It doesn't necessarily have to be painless for me personally, I just want to know what to prepare for.

2. Does the exit bag bring any complicated side effects if failed to do right? Some people report ripping off the bag when falling unconscious. Considering if that or any other external occurrence will somehow interrupt the process, will I have to face any side-effects due to brain damage? Another way of saying this: will I lose my brain capacity in the event of a failure? If so, how bad is it and how long will it theoretically take me to recover (granted it is recoverable) if I decide to go on with my life?

As a side note I also thought of adding this question to my thread:

3. Any things to consider before executing this method that are not common knowledge or at least are very often ignored? I'm asking this primarily those people who have previously failed to go through with the exit bag. If you are one, can you please tell what has been your mistake?

I am hoping to get some feedback on this. I love you guys, and I hope this page will become of use for someone considering this method as well <3

Read 'the complete manual of suicide' by wataru tsurumi. It explains every question you have and more. You can find it online and free

 

[Nowilltolive90]

Thanks a lot! I've checked that video out and it helped. Still, I am very interested in finding out the answer to my two main questions.



Is there a difference between nitrogen and helium? And a little silly question: will my last breath be an "Elvin and the chipmunks" style sigh? Idk that fact alone makes me lean more towards the nitrogen option, to be honest.

No problem, happy to help. I can only speculate on your 2 questions unfortunately. I believe that nitrogen is more reliable because if you're helium % is lower than 99% there's a chance it's not going to work at all. You should be unconscious in a matter of seconds if you do it right so you won't know you're gone.

 

[LMLN]

I think this can be a very reliable and peaceful method. But my fear is removing the bag or it coming off sometime after unconcioness. And depending on how long you are out there is a high chance if permanent brain damage I think. I think I'd only be comfortable if someone could stand by and make sure everything goes right. But that's obviously too risky for the person involved...legally and emotionally.
So, I have everything but abandoned it for SN.
I had a lot of SI putting the bag over my face. For me it's easier to drink something. I found news stories about people using this method. Its risky I think.

 

[Nowilltolive90]

I think this can be a very reliable and peaceful method. But my fear is removing the bag or it coming off sometime after unconcioness. And depending on how long you are out there is a high chance if permanent brain damage I think. I think I'd only be comfortable if someone could stand by and make sure everything goes right. But that's obviously too risky for the person involved...legally and emotionally.
So, I have everything but abandoned it for SN.
I had a lot of SI putting the bag over my face. For me it's easier to drink something. I found news stories about people using this method. Its risky I think.

The whole brain damage thing scares me, I don't ever want to wake up or be a burden on anyone

 

[Nitromask]

It's not really complicated once you have everything needed.
It would not be painful.
If I end up going with this method I will be using argon, mainly just due to easier availability

 

[LMLN]

The whole brain damage thing scares me, I don't ever want to wake up or be a burden on anyone

Same here. I read the story of Kelly Catlin and how she failed the first time with helium. She woke up in the shower and did not know how she got there. She suspected some residual brain function problems after the first attempt. She did succeed the second time. I am terrified of brain damage.

 

[HelensNepenthe]

No problem, happy to help. I can only speculate on your 2 questions unfortunately. I believe that nitrogen is more reliable because if you're helium % is lower than 99% there's a chance it's not going to work at all. You should be unconscious in a matter of seconds if you do it right so you won't know you're gone.

And this is coming from where? Any inert gas that is 95% to 99.8% will succumb to the exit bag method. Most often when purchasing an inert gas that is used for either industrial or food, the gas you will receive will be of stated and normally 98%. What gas you choose whether it is argon, helium, or nitrogen won't matter. Helium is only diluted if you buy from P**ty C*ty or from a local store.

 

[Lastsauce]

I read the story of Kelly Catlin and how she failed the first time with helium.

You will not be getting up after you pass out if you do it right. Use pure inert gas and not balloon helium which contains added air or pure oxygen.

 

[Nowilltolive90]

And this is coming from where? Any inert gas that is 95% to 99.8% will succumb to the exit bag method. Most often when purchasing an inert gas that is used for either industrial or food, the gas you will receive will be of stated and normally 98%. What gas you choose whether it is argon, helium, or nitrogen won't matter. Helium is only diluted if you buy from P**ty C*ty or from a local store.

I was just speculating as I said, so 95% + should be effective if used correctly?

 

[HelensNepenthe]

I was just speculating as I said, so 95% + should be effective if used correctly?

Yes. 95% or up will deliver self-deliverance. Higher is better but most places will sell you 98% anyway.

 

[Deleted-User-0]

1-Theoretically it should be painless. We do inhale inert gases as they are part of atmosphere so your body wouldn't react to it.
You become unconsciousness in 10-15 seconds and death happens in few minutes.
However if your inert gas gets mixed up with oxygen that's where real discomfort begins as CO2 builds up and your body starts shouting for help.

2-It depends when that happens if it happens 1-2 minutes before death occurres then you already have taken the brain damage if 30 seconds after you pull the bag down it might be a different story. All you can do is research as much as you can and prepare to bring the probability of failure down.
Why not positioning yourself in a way that your body wouldn't be able to collapse and damage the bag?!

3-Gas flow is very important normally 15-20 lpm. Helium these days are mixed up with oxygen so nitrogen and argon are your best bet. I have bought Argon myself. Enough supply of gas. Securing the tank so it wouldn't fall etc etc . One needs to use common sense and a bit of imagination.

PM me if you need more specific details

 

[fightingsioux]

So I've been considering the exit bag as a way to go for a while now. Having researched this method, I've realized that it is very, very complicated. Nonetheless, I'm still going with it - but I have 2 main questions that I haven't found a clear answer to in the inert gas megathread:

1. How does one physically feel during the execution of this method? I know, it's considered to be painless and stuff, but I just can't comprehend it. There has to be a headache of some sort at least, isn't there? Or am I just overthinking? I saw a video of a pig getting euthanized and the animal looked like it was panicking for a sec. It doesn't necessarily have to be painless for me personally, I just want to know what to prepare for.

2. Does the exit bag bring any complicated side effects if failed to do right? Some people report ripping off the bag when falling unconscious. Considering if that or any other external occurrence will somehow interrupt the process, will I have to face any side-effects due to brain damage? Another way of saying this: will I lose my brain capacity in the event of a failure? If so, how bad is it and how long will it theoretically take me to recover (granted it is recoverable) if I decide to go on with my life?

As a side note I also thought of adding this question to my thread:

3. Any things to consider before executing this method that are not common knowledge or at least are very often ignored? I'm asking this primarily those people who have previously failed to go through with the exit bag. If you are one, can you please tell what has been your mistake?

I am hoping to get some feedback on this. I love you
guys, and I hope this page will become of use for someone considering this method as well <3

Please read my long post from last month:

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/inert-gas-cylinder-regulator-general-refresher-summary.30657/

If the person takes the required amount of time to read, research, and learn about the method, if the correct materials are gathered, if they are connected and used properly, and if the final Exit Bag protocol is followed meticulously, this method is 100% painless and 100% reliable.

You or anyone else, feel free to PM me with any questions

 

[Deleted-User-0]

By the way all my limited knowledge comes from @fightingsioux

 

[Nowilltolive90]

Yes. 95% or up will deliver self-deliverance. Higher is better but most places will sell you 98% anyway.

Thank you I needed to hear that

Please read my long post from last month:

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/inert-gas-cylinder-regulator-general-refresher-summary.30657/

If the person takes the required amount of time to read, research, and learn about the method, if the correct materials are gathered, if they are connected and used properly, and if the final Exit Bag protocol is followed meticulously, this method is 100% painless and 100% reliable.

You or anyone else, feel free to PM me with any questions

Thank you for educating me, I've read your refresher thread and I'll no doubt read it plenty more times before I do it. There's a lot of inconsistencies from the research I've done so far but your guide is the most comprehensive and reassuring thing I've read. I may have questions for you closer to the time in regards to the equipment I use, thank you so much for your help.

 

[Hoopali]

If I end up going with this method I will be using argon, mainly just due to easier availability

Bet you wish you'd realised that before you came up with your name!

 

[chumley123]

I'm in a similar position to you although I've already decided to use an exit bag. The mega thread does make it sound more complex than it actually is, it's just making sure that you succeed and don't cause barotrauma in the process. Look around for another thread called 'I'm thinking of doing the exit bag metjod. Does anyone have any advice for this method?'. Not sure if I'm allowed to link it but there's a video on there along with some annotations to help you understand it, I'm going to follow that guide using 99% helium.

Why would you use helium? I would think a heaver gas like argon would be better. Or is it just ease of access?

 

[WearyOfStruggling]

My experience as I have posted about previously is helium and argon are available for easy purchase online in the US, but not nitrogen. As the Exit International videos in the resource tab state, the weight of the gas doesn't matter, only that it is an inert gas.

 

[FreddieQuell]

I am what you would call an exit bag survivor.

Survived an attempt (recently) with a 5L - 300 bar nitrogen gastank with everything connected correctly, full tank, high purity (5.0 - meaning 99.999% pure industrial grade), flow of 15L, airtight hose, turkey roasting bag etc, thought I had perfect execution. After starting my attempt woke up 45 mins later with the bag over my head. I think my failure was in having the bag quite loosely around my neck (although I did use an elastic cord) which allowed oxygen to flow into the bag.

Answering the OPs questions

1. How does one physically feel during the execution of this method?
I felt calm (and determined) fine physically, did drug myself a bit beforehand with some benzos to overcome SI. I do not remember anything after maybe 20 seconds of pulling the bag over my head. No nausea at all.

2. Does the exit bag bring any complicated side effects if failed to do right?
I have read horror stories here of failed attempts carrying the risk of severe brain damage and / or becoming a vegetable. Upon waking up I had a slight headache, forgetfulness, slow movement - similar to being very drunk. This dissipated after a day. If it were not for oxygen leaking into the bag (most probably) I would not have been here to recount my experiences. Cannot comment on possible outcomes with a brain completely derived of oxygen for a longer period of time.

3. Any things to consider before executing this method that are not common knowledge or at least are very often ignored?
- The flow of gas out of your cylinder makes a hissing sound, this might alert others, so be sure to be alone or drown out the hissing sound with music
- I'd say be sure to be comfortable with your bag, it needs to be large enough so you can breathe in it without the plastic sticking to your mouth

Learnt some valuable lessons from this failed attempt:
- No panic or SI at all when starting, don't remember going out - which makes me very comfortable giving this method another go when the time comes
- No attempt to rip the bag off my head, it was quite peaceful
- No recollection at all with the bag over my head apart from the first 20 or so seconds

Got a new tank, fixed the cord issue, will attempt again soon.

PS. I have been a member of this forum before under a different username. I've had the honour of discussing the method directly with FightingSioux (RIP)

 

[Mare Tranquillitatis]

Did you feel nausea, headache etc.

 

[WearyOfStruggling]

I am what you would call an exit bag survivor.

Survived an attempt (recently) with a 5L - 300 bar nitrogen gastank with everything connected correctly, full tank, high purity (5.0), flow of 15L, airtight hose, turkey roasting bag etc, thought I had perfect execution.

After starting my attempt woke up 45 mins later with the bag over my head. I can say two things:
- No panic or SI at all when starting, don't remember going out
- No attempt to rip the bag off my head

I think my failure was in having the bag quite loosely around my neck (although I did use an elastic cord) which allowed oxigen to flow into the bag.

Got a new tank, fixed the cord issue, will attempt again soon.

Thanks for sharing this. The elastic must have been fairly loose around your neck for this to happen. I think it would be possible to do a sort of trial run by blowing on the upstream end of the tubing with the bag over your head to pressurize the bag and make sure the tension around the neck is correct.
I think you were very fortunate to not have serious brain damage.

 

[FreddieQuell]

Thanks for sharing this. The elastic must have been fairly loose around your neck for this to happen. I think it would be possible to do a sort of trial run by blowing on the upstream end of the tubing with the bag over your head to pressurize the bag and make sure the tension around the neck is correct.
I think you were very fortunate to not have serious brain damage.

It was fairly loose, I have been researching the 'tightness around the neck' part as well and all I found on that was:

- "A snug fit" - Nurse Betty, PP handbook
- "Two finger fit" - somewhere from this forum

The bag cannot be too tight, otherwise CO2 would not be able to escape triggering the hypercapnic alarm response. It cannot be too loose to prevent O2 supply. It's tricky

 

[Mare Tranquillitatis]

you seem to have much experience in constructing the exit bag. And you discussed it with FightingSioux. Are you sure that the entry of oxygen at the neck was the reason of the failure ?

 

[WearyOfStruggling]

It was fairly loose, I have been researching the 'tightness around the neck' part as well and all I found on that was:

- "A snug fit" - Nurse Betty, PP handbook
- "Two finger fit" - somewhere from this forum

The bag cannot be too tight, otherwise CO2 would not be able to escape triggering the hypercapnic alarm response. It cannot be too loose to prevent O2 supply. It's tricky

I think it's better to have it tighter rather than looser, as long as it is not so tight that the bag would rupture due to high pressure. Some gas must leak around the neck to prevent it from rupturing. Once the bag is fully inflated, the leak rate will be the same as the gas flow rate. Another possibility I plan to check is whether the flow from the regulator may stop if the pressure in the bag becomes too high, though.

The practice run procedure I mentioned may not work well because you will need to inhale from the bag as well which will deflate it some.

 

[FreddieQuell]

you seem to have much experience in constructing the exit bag. And you discussed it with FightingSioux. Are you sure that the entry of oxygen at the neck was the reason of the failure ?

I am quite sure. I did multiple practice runs to make sure that the bag was a good fit (large enough), and airtight. Turkey oven bags (https://amzn.to/2zuRTHF) are great, they are very durable and don't leak. Otherwise I have checked and re-checked my setup multiple times, tested my hose for leaks, even used plumbing tape to ensure to a tight fit between regulator and tank, airtight fit regulator to hose etc etc. I just cannot find any other points of failure.

I am very lucky to have survived without brain damage, although I rather would not have survived at all.

 

[Mare Tranquillitatis]

I am very lucky to have survived without brain damage, although I rather would not have survived at all.

As a future user of an exit bag it is hard for me to read what has happened to you.

 

[WearyOfStruggling]

I just noticed some information about reports of failed exit bag attempts and analysis of what may have gone wrong in the "resource compilation" tab under "Ash Suicide Wiki", "Suicide methods", "Helium". Several cases were likely due to not removing all air from the bag and lungs first.

 

[Aap]

By definition of life an consciousness, ANY suicide method puts one at risk for brain damage, period. If one, such as a pilot, needs to be trained to recognize signs of hypoxia, then one can conclude it is fairly benign and symptom free/light.

I saw, when I was much younger, an individual pass out instantly from inhaling a single myLar balloon worth of helium. The pig video is debatable, as the time the pig noticed "something" was different to incapacitation was literally a few seconds at most. People who drink a lethal dose of N feel "something" for ~30s to a Few minutes before passing out.

I certainly understand SI or having concerns about a method. Properly done, inert gases offer some of the most peaceful and fastest routes to unconsciousness possible.