"Going to Switzerland" book by Philip Nitschke

[kvhenni]

Have any of you had a chance to read the recently released book titled "Going to Switzerland"?
https://twitter.com/philipnitschke

The Swiss Option Made Simple - Exit International

Share this ContentNew Exit Book: Going to Switzerland Going to Switzerland: How to Plan your Final Exit is a hands-on, practical guide to help foreigners plan for a voluntary assisted death (VAD) in Switzerland. Published in August 2023, Going to Switzerland provides a step-by-step guide that...

www.exitinternational.net

Any reviews, opinions?

 

[doneforlife]

Yeah I am waiting for the day , when all these requirements will get bypassed which is not even a distant dream ..lol.

 

[befree]

Total nonsense ! Another overpriced book from an author who want´s to make a lot of money, based on hope and illusions.
Just like the PPH, this book is not worth the paper it´s printed on.

Exit cooperates with Pegasos. Pegasos used to be my favorite VAD association. But today I hate them as much as I hate Exit.
Exit charges CHF1.750,- to help you with the VAD application + another CHF1.750,- to accompany you to Pegasos to identify your body.
I have helped people successfully apply for free for many years.

Pegasos has become extremely unreliable and arrogant. Pegasos does not respond to emails, even after the person has sent the same mail several times as a reminder. On top of what Exit charges, Pegasos charges CHF10.000,- for the VAD. You have to pay them CHF5.000,- deposit.
If your application is rejected, Pegasos will refund you CHF3,500. But you lose the money for the help with the application. In total you will lose
CHF3.250,- + plus costs for an expert opinion by a doctor in Switzerland (required in some cases). I´m just helping a person with the application.
Only after several mails Exit writes that they help people with the application who are at least 50 years old. Why don´t they tell this the person at the beginning ? They want you to become a paying member first.

 

[John Ryder]

Only after several mails Exit writes that they help people with the application who are at least 50 years old. Why don´t they tell this the person at the beginning ? They want you to become a paying member first.

Seriously? Daaamn Exit can get fucked even more than usual, pardon my frenchies

 

[befree]

Seriously? Daaamn Exit can get fucked even more than usual, pardon my frenchies

Yes, seriously. And I know that Exit reads this forum or even has a profile. I know this from an email correspondence. Another member sent me copies of it.

 

[John Ryder]

Yes, seriously. And I know that Exit reads this forum or even has a profile. I know this from an email correspondence. Another member sent me copies of it.

I think I saw you mention this in another thread at some point

 

[kvhenni]

Which company is the best? Dignitas?

( I used the word company intentionally. I know they identify as organizations. But come on... It's an industry like any other. Imo. )

 

[J&L383]

Total nonsense ! Another overpriced book from an author who want´s to make a lot of money, based on hope and illusions.
Just like the PPH, this book is not worth the paper it´s printed on.

Exit cooperates with Pegasos. Pegasos used to be my favorite VAD association. But today I hate them as much as I hate Exit.
Exit charges CHF1.750,- to help you with the VAD application + another CHF1.750,- to accompany you to Pegasos to identify your body.
I have helped people successfully apply for free for many years.

Pegasos has become extremely unreliable and arrogant. Pegasos does not respond to emails, even after the person has sent the same mail several times as a reminder. On top of what Exit charges, Pegasos charges CHF10.000,- for the VAD. You have to pay them CHF5.000,- deposit.
If your application is rejected, Pegasos will refund you CHF3,500. But you lose the money for the help with the application. In total you will lose
CHF3.250,- + plus costs for an expert opinion by a doctor in Switzerland (required in some cases). I´m just helping a person with the application.
Only after several mails Exit writes that they help people with the application who are at least 50 years old. Why don´t they tell this the person at the beginning ? They want you to become a paying member first.

"Pegasos used to be my favorite VAD association. But today I hate them as much as I hate Exit."

You may have reasons for concern, but unfortunately there's not a lot of players in this field. Pegasos is the only one that takes foreigners AND (more easily at least ) takes people that don't have a life ending condition (Dignitas is the only other one that takes foreigners and they seem to be very strict about who can qualify.) I'm not being a cheerleader for them but people that are desperate are willing to take the chance and hope that their VAD can be completed. I read that applications for membership in the Swiss organizations is at an all-time high and so all these places are swamped I'm sure, and Pegasos has a very small staff. I am in the preliminary stages of applying there and my emails have been returned but I am patient. I can't find the link but I read a review of these organizations and they visited all the facilities (except Exit, who wouldn't meet with them), and did not seem to have any concern about the ones they did visit, but noting the differences. As for the book, I'm not going to buy that, I think the information is out there on your own if you just search for it.

All things considered, I would still be more comfortable in trying to schedule a VAD in Switzerland than any DIY method, as it would have the highest likelihood of success (100%) and you would not be leaving this world alone. Also, I think it provides political cover in that friends and family who you may notifify have to come to terms with the fact that it's not just you but others that agree with your opinion on how your life should end.

 

[befree]

Pegasos is the only one that takes foreigners

This is not true. Please read the other threads where I posted info about all VAD associations.

Which company is the best? Dignitas?

( I used the word company intentionally. I know they identify as organizations. But come on... It's an industry like any other. Imo. )

Dignitas is the most complicated and arrogant VAD association. With Exit and Pegasos, I increasingly get the impression that they want to make a lot of money quickly. Unfortunately, Lifecircle is no longer accepting new members. They did a wonderful job.

 

[Homo erectus]

If the price of euthanasia is too high, it means it's not free, both in the sense of freedom and free beer. Euthanasia should be a real option for everyone, not limited by wealth.

 

[kvhenni]

Can Swiss citizens get prescriptions for lethal doses of medicines without the help of these orgs?

 

[MBG]

Yeah I am waiting for the day , when all these requirements will get bypassed which is not even a distant dream ..lol.

Psst! Look into the R2D ReBeather lll

 

[befree]

Can Swiss citizens get prescriptions for lethal doses of medicines without the help of these orgs?

I´m not sure what the current law is on whether doctors in Switzerland can prescribe N without a VAD association. According to my last knowledge, this was not possible. That´s why there are the 7 associations. I will do some research. But it´s possible in Austria.

 

[kvhenni]

I´m not sure what the current law is on whether doctors in Switzerland can prescribe N without a VAD association. According to my last knowledge, this was not possible. That´s why there are the 7 associations. I will do some research. But it´s possible in Austria.

You mean, nembutal can be prescribed in Austria legally?

 

[doneforlife]

Psst! Look into the R2D ReBeather lll

Thanks will look into it!

Yes, seriously. And I know that Exit reads this forum or even has a profile. I know this from an email correspondence. Another member sent me copies of it.

Why would they do this? People having the means and eligibility will reach out to them anyways.

 

[befree]

You mean, nembutal can be prescribed in Austria legally?

Yes, if the legal requirements are met. Same in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain.

Why would they do this?

One reason is because they don't like the fact that PPH is shared for free in this forum.

 

[kvhenni]

Yes, if the legal requirements are met. Same in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain.

One reason is because they don't like the fact that PPH is shared for free in this forum.

I guess the new book will pop up here too. Anyway I don't like piracy. It'd be better if such information would be free by default.
Anyway if Nitschke put effort into writing it and put a reasonable pricetag onto the book, why not buy it legally?

 

[befree]

Anyway if Nitschke put effort into writing it and put a reasonable pricetag onto the book, why not buy it legally?

Why should I buy a book that´s not worth the paper ? Exit, by offering to help people apply for VAD and identify people after death at Pegasos,
and now new with this book, gives the impression it would be easy to apply for VAD and be approved.

I know after years of helping people apply (for free) that it´s extremely difficult to get approved. I also know that you can quickly lose a lot of money.
I know all the associations and how they work.

 

[kvhenni]

Why should I buy a book that´s not worth the paper ? Exit, by offering to help people apply for VAD and identify people after death at Pegasos,
and now new with this book, gives the impression it would be easy to apply for VAD and be approved.

I know after years of helping people apply (for free) that it´s extremely difficult to get approved. I also know that you can quickly lose a lot of money.
I know all the associations and how they work.

How would you set up an organization from scratch that would work legally, ethically and transparently?

 

[kvhenni]

Simplicity. The only requirement must be proving one's mental sanity.
The patient should possess sound mental faculties, comprehend the procedure, and express their intentions free from any external influence. It must be documented by a mental health professional. So others involved in the procedure are lifted from legal consequences.

Non-profit. The price of the whole process should be kept minimal.
The price of consultation with the mental health professional and the used materials must be covered, but anything above these must be voluntary donations to the organization. No membership fees.
If the organization has enough money to cover the costs there must be some sort of free options made available for the ones who can't afford it. ( Random drawing. )

Transparency. The details of the procedure and the timeline must be told to the patient at the moment of registration.

Non medical methods. Using regulated pharmaceuticals must be replaced by other methods.

 

[MyChoiceAlone]

proving one's mental sanity

this point worries me. i've never regarded psychiatry as a real science. and haven't given it much thought til i read about this option. heck i don't even like medical doctors and would self diagnose on google lol. i can get really lengthy as to why but i won't. well of course since i've never been to one i have never been diagnosed with a 'mental disorder' . i rarely take asprin. there have been 5-10 years i never took one. does that leave me confident? no. i've never really minded being alone. i had plenty of friends and we hung out together like family all the time. my own family, i didn't like very much. had problems as anyone else but were not all that physically abusive or anything like that. but i was very shy as a kid and was happy to be alone. that makes me wonder if a so called psychiatrist would reject my application alone.

we moved from nyc to upstate ny. one day at school i guess i walked past the guidance counselor and she pulled me over for a chat lol. she said if i recall that i had a scowl on my face but that's just how i learned to grow up back then. that memory and how i feel about psychiatrists held me back from making a vad application. that and i have zero medical history. i read someone post that you need to bring everything. do they want an xray of a fractured ankle? my then fractured rib? it got too confusing but what ended the deal was that i had to go allllllll the way there to meet with their psych. just to fly back and wait for a decision.

i don't know if that is a fact but as much as i'd love to see their beautiful country; not making that trip twice from here.

 

[befree]

How would you set up an organization from scratch that would work legally, ethically and transparently?

I had replied to you earlier today, but deleted it again. I had the idea to found a non profit VAD association a few years ago. But I will not do it anymore.

 

[MyChoiceAlone]

sorry, sleep deprivation and all, i wasn't done ranting. shit forgot what i wanted to say...oh yeah. that ppeh handbook (they are affiliated yes?). i know it's not their native language but they release new ones with old little spelling errors that annoy me since they are charging a fee. they go on and on, pages worth of 'the peaceful pill' which they know is no longer available. they had the equipment for a really good CO method test but they did not explore that much at all. a 20' shipping container? do they deliver one of those on my roof? drugs? ok i have 0 knowledge of scripted drugs. thanks for the info. and the de/re breather seems to suck too!

 

[befree]

which they know is no longer available

That's what I said about the PPH. By the time a new edition of the book is published, many things are no longer available and addresses no longer exist.

 

[MyChoiceAlone]

about the PPH

yes i did read your posts avidly. thank you. can anyone confirm that you need a separate visit for the psyche exam?

 

[befree]

can anyone confirm that you need a separate visit for the psyche exam?

As I explained before in several threads:

This is necessary if you are applying for VAD ONLY because of a mental illness

or

because of a mental illness AND a physical illness

or

if there is doubt about your mental health when applying for VAD because of a physical condition or because of finished life.

The appointment will be with a psychiatrist in Switzerland. You have to pay the psychiatrist + travel expenses.

 

[John Ryder]

@Soon i will be gone
Lol sorry have I offended your sensibilities by taking a sketch organization to task for sketch practices or something

 

[bluebirds]

This is not true. Please read the other threads where I posted info about all VAD associations.

Dignitas is the most complicated and arrogant VAD association. With Exit and Pegasos, I increasingly get the impression that they want to make a lot of money quickly. Unfortunately, Lifecircle is no longer accepting new members. They did a wonderful job.

@befree , why is Lifecircle not accepting ? what if its critical case ? Can you speak with lifecircle ?

How can you please help me with application ? I've been suffering for years trying to apply for VAD

 

[J&L383]

This is not true. Please read the other threads where I posted info about all VAD associations.

Dignitas is the most complicated and arrogant VAD association. With Exit and Pegasos, I increasingly get the impression that they want to make a lot of money quickly. Unfortunately, Lifecircle is no longer accepting new members. They did a wonderful job.

Yes, agree about Lifecycle, I emailed back in January and they said they are no longer taking new members, unless that's changed. Exit website says you have to be a Swiss citizen or permanent resident. Dignitas is the only other one that I know that takes foreigners and they seem to have a more rigorous application process and lower likelihood of acceptance. Also their membership fee is higher. Pegasos seems better suited for English-speaking applicants. In my opinion.

 

[doneforlife]

Yes, agree about Lifecycle, I emailed back in January and they said they are no longer taking new members, unless that's changed. Exit website says you have to be a Swiss citizen or permanent resident. Dignitas is the only other one that I know that takes foreigners and they seem to have a more rigorous application process and lower likelihood of acceptance. Also their membership fee is higher. Pegasos seems better suited for English-speaking applicants. In my opinion.

Have they given any reason for the same? At this rate, I feel, after a few years, even SZL will become anti VAD..