fightingsioux
Specialist
- Oct 22, 2019
- 357
It's the new Swiss voluntary assisted dying organization, closely associated with Exit International.
Yes, it's expensive, for many--if not most--prohibitively so. I'm lucky, I can afford it. Their service is $10,000; with airfare and other expenses, would be about $12,000. I've copied some info from their website that I thought might interest people here.
What is Pegasos?
Pegaos Swiss Association is a voluntary assisted dying (VAD) organization based in Basel, Switzerland. Pegasos believes that it is the human right of every rational adult of sound mind, regardless of state of health, to choose the manner and timing of their death.
Cost of VAD
Do you need to be terminally ill to come to Pegasos?
No, it is not necessary to be terminally ill to be accepted for a VAD at Pegasos.
Does Pegasos accept young, depressed or suicidal people?
Pegasos does not accept young people with depression or other severe mental illness. Rather, Pegasos will refer such applications to counselling services such as those published on the Pegasos website.
Do you accept young people?
At Pegasos we accept applications from adults over the age of 18 years only.
Do you accept people with mental illness?
Mental illness is a vexed issue. At Pegasos we believe that you can still have mental capacity even if you suffer from long term depression. The most important thing is to tell us of your mental illness and then we can work with you for the best outcome.
Does Pegasos help 'well' people to die?
Pegasos believes that for a person to be in the headspace of considering ending their lives, their quality of life must be qualitatively poor. Pegasos accepts that some people who are not technically 'sick' may want to apply for a VAD. But this does not mean the person is 'well'. Professor David Goodall was one of these people. He was not sick but his eye sight was failing him, as was his mobility. Old age is rarely kind. The decision to end one's life is an intensely personal one. Pegasos makes every effort to understand fully the unique circumstances of everyone who makes contact with us.
How exactly does a person die at Pegasos?
Pegasos generally uses the intravenous method of Nembutal administration. This involves having a cannula inserted into one's arm and a solution of the lethal drug fed into your body from a 'line' that is controlled by a 'tap'. However, if preferred, a person can also have the option of taking a small drink. In this case, anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) drugs will also need to be taken. Other approaches are also available. These can be discussed with Pegasos once the VAD application is approved.
How long does it take to die?
After the sodium pentobarbital starts flowing intraveneously, the person goes to sleep usually within a few seconds and dies quickly afterwards. If a person takes the Nembutal as a drink, the process is a bit longer.
Can I choose the actual method for my VAD?
Yes, Pegasos is all ears when it comes to a person's individual preferences. The options are an intravenous infusion or a small drink.
How do I control the actual VAD myself?
If you have elected intravenous administration of the Nembutal, you need to be able rotate the small wheel that opens the IV line that will be attached to the cannula in your arm. If you have weakness in your fingers or limited movement in your hands and and arms, then Pegasos has developed an ingenious device that requires a simple bump to start the infusion. This can be operated with one's arm, body or even feet. A slight turn of the head also works and even with your tongue. If you have chosen to drink the drugs, the least you will need to be able to do is swallow. If you do not have movement of your arms, you must be able to suck the liquid through a straw. If you do have movement of your arms then this method should present no problems for you.
If I choose to drink the drugs, is there a risk that I will vomit?
As there is always a risk of vomiting with anything we put in our mouths, to ensure that vomiting does not affect your VAD, Pegasos will provide highly-effective, anti-emetic drugs.
What happens after I die?
After your VAD, Pegasos will call the authorities who will attend our clinic. These officials will be friendly and very sensitive to the fact that you have just lost someone you loved very much. Once the authorities are satisfied that your death was voluntary and was initiated by you, Pegasos will call the funeral home who will come and collect your body. Your ashes will be available five days later. Your ashes can be either mailed home to your family or collected by your designated contact person.
Yes, it's expensive, for many--if not most--prohibitively so. I'm lucky, I can afford it. Their service is $10,000; with airfare and other expenses, would be about $12,000. I've copied some info from their website that I thought might interest people here.
What is Pegasos?
Pegaos Swiss Association is a voluntary assisted dying (VAD) organization based in Basel, Switzerland. Pegasos believes that it is the human right of every rational adult of sound mind, regardless of state of health, to choose the manner and timing of their death.
Cost of VAD
| TOTAL | 10,000 |
|---|---|
| Service | |
| Assessments and administration | 3,000 |
| VAD Appointment, incl. Medical Consultation's | 4,300 |
| Funeral Services etc. | 2,150 |
| Post VAD Administration | 550 |
Do you need to be terminally ill to come to Pegasos?
No, it is not necessary to be terminally ill to be accepted for a VAD at Pegasos.
Does Pegasos accept young, depressed or suicidal people?
Pegasos does not accept young people with depression or other severe mental illness. Rather, Pegasos will refer such applications to counselling services such as those published on the Pegasos website.
Do you accept young people?
At Pegasos we accept applications from adults over the age of 18 years only.
Do you accept people with mental illness?
Mental illness is a vexed issue. At Pegasos we believe that you can still have mental capacity even if you suffer from long term depression. The most important thing is to tell us of your mental illness and then we can work with you for the best outcome.
Does Pegasos help 'well' people to die?
Pegasos believes that for a person to be in the headspace of considering ending their lives, their quality of life must be qualitatively poor. Pegasos accepts that some people who are not technically 'sick' may want to apply for a VAD. But this does not mean the person is 'well'. Professor David Goodall was one of these people. He was not sick but his eye sight was failing him, as was his mobility. Old age is rarely kind. The decision to end one's life is an intensely personal one. Pegasos makes every effort to understand fully the unique circumstances of everyone who makes contact with us.
How exactly does a person die at Pegasos?
Pegasos generally uses the intravenous method of Nembutal administration. This involves having a cannula inserted into one's arm and a solution of the lethal drug fed into your body from a 'line' that is controlled by a 'tap'. However, if preferred, a person can also have the option of taking a small drink. In this case, anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) drugs will also need to be taken. Other approaches are also available. These can be discussed with Pegasos once the VAD application is approved.
How long does it take to die?
After the sodium pentobarbital starts flowing intraveneously, the person goes to sleep usually within a few seconds and dies quickly afterwards. If a person takes the Nembutal as a drink, the process is a bit longer.
Can I choose the actual method for my VAD?
Yes, Pegasos is all ears when it comes to a person's individual preferences. The options are an intravenous infusion or a small drink.
How do I control the actual VAD myself?
If you have elected intravenous administration of the Nembutal, you need to be able rotate the small wheel that opens the IV line that will be attached to the cannula in your arm. If you have weakness in your fingers or limited movement in your hands and and arms, then Pegasos has developed an ingenious device that requires a simple bump to start the infusion. This can be operated with one's arm, body or even feet. A slight turn of the head also works and even with your tongue. If you have chosen to drink the drugs, the least you will need to be able to do is swallow. If you do not have movement of your arms, you must be able to suck the liquid through a straw. If you do have movement of your arms then this method should present no problems for you.
If I choose to drink the drugs, is there a risk that I will vomit?
As there is always a risk of vomiting with anything we put in our mouths, to ensure that vomiting does not affect your VAD, Pegasos will provide highly-effective, anti-emetic drugs.
What happens after I die?
After your VAD, Pegasos will call the authorities who will attend our clinic. These officials will be friendly and very sensitive to the fact that you have just lost someone you loved very much. Once the authorities are satisfied that your death was voluntary and was initiated by you, Pegasos will call the funeral home who will come and collect your body. Your ashes will be available five days later. Your ashes can be either mailed home to your family or collected by your designated contact person.
