How to ensure medics won’t “save” you after a suicide attempt

[Jessica5]

I know a lot of the time they disregard DNRs in suicide attempts. (Actually doctors are pretty notorious for disregarding DNRs period, but they're especially likely to do so with suicide attempts.)

However, if your family tells the doctors to not treat you, will the doctors listen?

 

[schopenh]

I have a seperate note for the medical team begging them not to bring me back. I will copy and paste it in:


For the medical team


If I'm found with a pulse or still alive in some way, I beg you, will you please just let me die. I had been suffering with severe intractable, and unremitting radicular neuropathic pain throughout both my legs for over three years. It left me completely debilitated, completely miserable and unable to enjoy life in any way. There was no hope of recovery, as all testing, and it was extensive and complete, was unrevealing and the pain had reached a plateau and was not improving. The 'multi-disciplinary,' 'bio-psycho-social' approach for 'pain management' didn't help my pain or secondary symptoms at all. Nor did any other therapies. If you try to bring me back into this world, you're bringing me back into an existence of pain and suffering that I do not want, one which I have evidently chosen to free myself of.


I do not give any permission for the performance of any surgery or procedure that is intended to 'save my life', and I expressly forbid any person from performing 'life-saving' surgery on my body. I expressly forbid anything invasive be done to my body, from putting in a drip, to performing CPR, and everything in between, if it is intended to 'save my life'. I give permission for pain/suffering relieving medicines to be administered even if they would shorten my life – in fact, I encourage it.

---------------------------

I can't imagine anyone but a sociopath reading that and willfully ignoring the wishes. Problem is, healthcare is a corrupt industry that tends to weed out the compassionate and leave a bunch of soulless golems running things.

 

[got2beFionaC]

I know a lot of the time they disregard DNRs in suicide attempts. (Actually doctors are pretty notorious for disregarding DNRs period, but they're especially likely to do so with suicide attempts.)

However, if your family tells the doctors to not treat you, will the doctors listen?

do you have anything in writing (like paperwork with a lawyer or any doctors) saying you're a DNR?

from personal training in the medical field, we were trained that if someone is found unconscious then consent is implied.
so say you go unconscious, then they will provide the treatment necessary. (unless it is formally documented)
best bet would be to get a copy from your doctor stating your a DNR or get it notarized because if it's simply just in your handwriting..all bets are off and you would more than likely receive whatever treatment deemed necessary at the time.

 

[GoBack]

I have a seperate note for the medical team begging them not to bring me back. I will copy and paste it in:


For the medical team


If I'm found with a pulse or still alive in some way, I beg you, will you please just let me die. I had been suffering with severe intractable, and unremitting radicular neuropathic pain throughout both my legs for over three years. It left me completely debilitated, completely miserable and unable to enjoy life in any way. There was no hope of recovery, as all testing, and it was extensive and complete, was unrevealing and the pain had reached a plateau and was not improving. The 'multi-disciplinary,' 'bio-psycho-social' approach for 'pain management' didn't help my pain or secondary symptoms at all. Nor did any other therapies. If you try to bring me back into this world, you're bringing me back into an existence of pain and suffering that I do not want, one which I have evidently chosen to free myself of.


I do not give any permission for the performance of any surgery or procedure that is intended to 'save my life', and I expressly forbid any person from performing 'life-saving' surgery on my body. I expressly forbid anything invasive be done to my body, from putting in a drip, to performing CPR, and everything in between, if it is intended to 'save my life'. I give permission for pain/suffering relieving medicines to be administered even if they would shorten my life – in fact, I encourage it.

---------------------------

I can't imagine anyone but a sociopath reading that and willfully ignoring the wishes. Problem is, healthcare is a corrupt industry that tends to weed out the compassionate and leave a bunch of soulless golems running things.

They won't even read all that. They have to do their job.

 

[Life_and_Death]

question on the topic. it could just be where i live but i thought that if you were suicidal they basically ignore whatever you say or want because "you arent in the right frame of mind to make those decisions" or something like that. basically a polite way of saying "youre insane and we dont care why, suffer."

which i agree with. if its like someone broke up with someone and they were all like "im gonna kill myself" yeah ok not the right frame of mind. but someone like most of us that have been planning for years...come on now, right frame of mind or not clearly our life sucks let us go. (and in the example above im speaking of someone that had a sane mind before the breakup. clearly if theres preexisting problems then thats just the tip of the iceberg and doesnt count as the reason for death because its more then just that and its not a sudden thing)

 

[rhiino]

A workaround is to not be found while still alive. Is that not possible for you?

 

[schopenh]

They won't even read all that. They have to do their job.

Yep, that's the most likely outcome

 

[4eyebiped]

Just trying the creative, lighthearted, option here...

How about making a bundle of some fake looking TNT, attach some randomly placed curly wires and an old ticking analogue clock to it and then stick it to your chest. Perhaps, when they see that they will leave you alone for several more hours or more while they wait for the bomb squad to come. A stack of DNR papers take time to read. A stack of potential explosives takes a second to read.

All joking aside, I wouldn't doubt there is some sort of deterrent that could be used like this, that would postpone treatment.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

Just trying the creative, lighthearted, option here...

How about making a bundle of some fake looking TNT, attach some randomly placed curly wires and an old ticking analogue clock to it and then stick it to your chest. Perhaps, when they see that they will leave you alone for several more hours or more while they wait for the bomb squad to come. A stack of DNR papers take time to read. A stack of potential explosives takes a second to read.

All joking aside, I wouldn't doubt there is some sort of deterrent that could be used like this, that would postpone treatment.

I like the way you think!

 

[rhiino]

@4eyebiped
Lol.

Well, just put a "I have Corona" sign in front of you. It might slow things down at least.

 

[TAW122]

I think @rhiino is right. Since medical professionals will oftenly act first (then read later - if they even read DNRs or letters to begin with!) above almost all else sans their own safety. While @4eyebiped 's suggestion is extreme, there is a big risk to that, as what one is doing is highly illegal and if one does survive (being saved and resuscitated), then one could end up facing legal consequences as well.

Therefore, I think just about anything to make it more difficult and/or harder, longer for medical professionals to intervene would be good (barring anything illegal as to not make matters worse in case one survives). This is why when using methods that take time (like SN, N, hanging, and/or inert gases), one has to ensure they are going to be left alone for an sufficient amount of time (e.g. hanging for at least 30 minutes/half hour after losing conscious - otherwise risk permanent brain damage and paralysis)

 

[Brick In The Wall]

@4eyebiped
Lol.

Well, just put a "I have Corona" sign in front of you. It might slow things down at least.

I dunno if that would work. Medical staff already wear masks and deal with this virus on the daily.

I think the only thing that could slow them down is some sort of perceived threat. I've heard from medical personnel that often times even a legit DNR is ignored.

I think ultimately the best bet is just not to be found.

 

[4eyebiped]

@thrw_a_way1221221

I want to highlight that I said lighthearted and joking in my post. The point was to get a smile and also illicit creativity.

As far as it being illegal to have fake 1980s looking TNT in someone's private residence, do you know this for a fact, and if so, what states or countries does this apply to? I ask this out of sincere curiosity as I could see a plethora of items that might be found in someone home these days being illegal. With the advent of 3d printers and similar, people are creating all sorts of things ranger from movie props, weapons and so forth.

 

[TAW122]

@4eyebiped I don't know for a fact and IANAL so don't take what I said as legal advice. I'm merely basing this off of my common sense as well as the consideration that we are living in a post 9/11 world, so even things in the past that seem to be innocuous or isn't a big deal would be looked at differently today than before. I am also basing the fact that there are people out there who have gotten into legal trouble for making 'bomb threats' even if said explosives turned out to be fake. Again, I'm not a lawyer so this isn't legal advice, just my two cents.

 

[Deleted member 17949]

Fixed this problem by going with decapitation

 

[Isittimetogonola]

Whenever I work a code, I ask if the person has a DNR..I never ever want to go against the family's wishes, especially the patient. That said, the more remote of place, the better. Resources will have to take the time to find you. Also, time itself. The longer the better. There are points that it can be determined to discontiue or much less even begin CPR. I have my plan with delayed emails and it will take much time to find my body. I know I will be long gone before they can and therefore we way to late.

 

[lostangel]

Your best option would be avoiding that situation altogether. You can't control what others will do so it's best not to give them a chance. As another user said the healthcare is a corrupt industry so they will let you suffer instead of letting you be at peace.

Try make sure that your method will be successful. Like make sure nobody can interrupt you. Good luck.

 

[Ardesevent]

Your best option would be avoiding that situation altogether. You can't control what others will do so it's best not to give them a chance. As another user said the healthcare is a corrupt industry so they will let you suffer instead of letting you be at peace.

Try make sure that your method will be successful. Like make sure nobody can interrupt you. Good luck.

I agree with this too. Better to just avoid the risk entirely.
The only way I can think of to avoid treatment is to slap a note on the door or window of the place where you plan to CTB that says 'warning: poisonous gas.'
The person who finds you will have to tell the police about the note, meaning they have to waste time preparing for potential poisonous gas and doctors will have to waste time trying to check for it.

 

[rhiino]

@Ardesevent That is a very clever idea that will definitely cause them to loose time. However, better not place that note visible from outside, else it might trigger the early intervention itself.

 

[DeadButDreaming]

Medical professionals are bound by law not personal requests.

We need to start a movement advocating the right of the mentally ill to die. Our pain is as real as anyone else's and often is unmanageable.

 

[AlreadyGone]

Dont put yourself in a situation where you risk being found. If you are found, you will be saved. It is as simple as that.

 

[JustLosingMyself]

DNR... not all jurisdictions are the same.
1/ In UK/Ireland, and most of Europe they're suggestions only. They are only valid in a limited set of predefined circumstances.
2/ outside of a hospital setting, paramedics will just do their job even if you have DNR tattooed on your chest.
3/ if it's clear it's a suicide attempt DNRs are ignored and at best you're in for a stint in the psychiatric ward

 

[Jessica5]

DNR... not all jurisdictions are the same.
1/ In UK/Ireland, and most of Europe they're suggestions only. They are only valid in a limited set of predefined circumstances.
2/ outside of a hospital setting, paramedics will just do their job even if you have DNR tattooed on your chest.
3/ if it's clear it's a suicide attempt DNRs are ignored and at best you're in for a stint in the psychiatric ward

I did see one Reddit thread where medical professionals were saying they'd honor a DNR during a suicide if they don't think the DNR was part of the suicide plan.

That makes me think that it might be best to wait for a few months after a DNR to commit suicide. Might make it seem like you got a DNR, and then a few months later decided to commit suicide.

 

[person123]

Medical professionals are bound by law not personal requests.

We need to start a movement advocating the right of the mentally ill to die. Our pain is as real as anyone else's and often is unmanageable.

This. There are 800k suicides every year, if all those people started a petition, we would have legalized euthanasia tomorrow.