Mask with bag

[Eudaimonic]

So I've listened to the exit international podcast and takeaways for me:
1. Kenny "if he had cooperated - could have had a peaceful and reliable death", meaning following a few instuctions Dr. N wishes he'd given Kenny, summarized as: dont hold breath, fully exhaled once n2 is on, and ensure the next couple breaths are deepest possible to fall unconscious normally & die within 5 minutes.
2. Dr. N said it might have looked scary but the "writhing" or any struggling they watched as he fell unconscious and died were likely typical death spasms.
3. Kenny still died while unconscious he just took longer to fall asleep first because he held his breath.
4. Dr. tried on the mask and felt it was a secure seal, but could possibly become dislodged.
5. Kenny had a beard and didn't cooperate in the process, spasmsed/ appeared to struggle to some onlookers, yet seal maintained for death while unconscious.

So, seems like one can mitigate risks with SCBA like possibly appears GasMonkey, rigbone, joeschmo (others?) chose if done diligently, i.e.:
1. Proper mask fit and donning (following manufacturer guide)
2. This includes shaving face and dealing with hair if longer.
3. Use positive pressure because designed to keep out outside atmosphere (any o2) and protect firefighters even in heavy exhertion or when falling unconscious from any external atmos entering (as long as you have gas).
4. Apply the rest of the inert gas best practices like proper parts & fitting, strapping in, strapping tank, practicing.
5. Practice, practice, practice - donning mask, breathing, the whole thing with a scba o2 tank safely.

Mega credit to:

Thread 'GasMonkey Setup [Nitrogen SCBA]' https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/gasmonkey-setup-nitrogen-scba.115434/

Thread 'Inert gas setups gallery. Show your setup' https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/inert-gas-setups-gallery-show-your-setup.115461/

Thread 'Exit bag and inert gas megathread' https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/exit-bag-and-inert-gas-megathread.8393/

Thread 'Inert Gas Cylinder & Regulator, General Refresher Summary:' https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/inert-gas-cylinder-regulator-general-refresher-summary.30657/

Does this mean that constant flow systems like EB/EEBD are better overall?

 

[parasite_eve]

Does this mean that constant flow systems like EB/EEBD are better overall?

Exit international still recommend those vs masks - but "better" might depend on priorities, resources, and time.

It makes sense they wouldn't blanket recommend masks because it involves so many wrong options (e.g. cpap, rebreathers,...) and using professional equipment properly (vs simpler eb or hood) - that's a risk and liability for an organization dedicated to reducing harm and mitigating risk/ liability.

However Dr. N's explanation that issues in this case mostly boiled down to Kenny not being willing to die reassured me that SCBA would be better n2 method for me (provided I follow the best practices above).

Advantages of SCBA for me are:
1. No bag on head with hyperventilating and trying to squish all the air out first
2. Less time for SI: faster time to knockout reported when you properly exhale before starting n2
3. Everything plugs together end-to-end, no taping/ clamping hoses to inside of a bag or other hoses
4. CO2 is removed so dont need to worry about flow rates pushing out air in eb vs eebd hood
5. Works for firefighters in inverse situation in more adverse conditions
6. Feel like a spaceman returning to be star stuff when I catch the space bus <3

 

[ShatteredSerenity]

Does this mean that constant flow systems like EB/EEBD are better overall?

Not necessarily, it depends on what you're comparing.

I believe the type of mask used in Alabama executions is a Supplied Air Respirator (SAR) with constant flow rate. There are a few issues with using SAR masks for this application, for example it won't hold a large enough reserve of nitrogen to fill the lungs during inhalation, so the face seal will be strained and may leak in some outside air. It also won't seal as well against a beard, if that's a concern. I would say EB/EEBD are better than SAR for most people because of those downsides.

SCUBA and SCBA masks are full face masks that operate in an entirely different way than SAR. Instead of feeding with a constant 15 LPM nitrogen from the tank, they have a demand valve that only draws as much nitrogen as you breathe in. That uses less nitrogen while ensuring that there's enough nitrogen available for inhallation without relying on a large bag. There are fewer issues with face seals because they're designed to operate either underwater, or in a firefighting scene, so they are designed to stringent specifications. The downside is they're expensive and more complicated than other options.

Ranking the N mask/hood options is subjective, but IMHO the order would be:
SCBA > SCUBA > EEBD > EB > SAR