Just wanted to pitch in and say Nitrogen is a TERRIBLE WAY TO GO. I have been interested in Death Row defense in the US. Give some articles on Nitrogen Hypoxia a read. It is a terrible experience that is easily botched. Helium is a better way to go. Nitrogen is something some of the backward US states use because it's cheap, easy, and they genuinely do not care about the suffering of inmates. Hoping this makes it to you in time.
In January 2024, Kenneth Eugene Smith was exccuted at Holman
prison in Alabama using nitrogen hypoxia. Despite expert advice
to the contrary, the State of Alabama used a high-flow face mask
to deliver nitrogen gas. The nitrogen served to replace the air
that Kenny was breathing. Exhaled carbon dioxide and excess
nitrogen were released into the execution room via a one-way
valve on the mask.
Eye-witness accounts of Smith's execution report that he held his
breath for as long as possible and then only took small breaths,
presumably in an effort to prolong his life. This behaviour
increased the time to loss of consciousness and his eventual death
By holding his breath, carbon dioxide built up in his lungs,
acidifying his blood and causing some involuntary convulsions
Although this was clearly traumatic for those witnessing the
death, it is unlikely that Smith was aware of it.
Expert Testimony
In December 2023, lead author of this book, Dr Philip Nitschke
appeared as an expert witness in Montgomery, AL for the defence
of Smith, as part of an application for a stay of the execution.
In his deposition, Nitschke warned the State of Alabama against
the use of a face mask, arguing that the assisted suicide movement
had abandoned the use of such masks 20 years earlier. This
was due to difficulty in making (and maintaining) an effective
seal against air leakage, especially after consciousness is lost.
Even the ingress of a small amount of air (containing oxygen)
Inert Gases
could frustrate the process. The issue of face masks has been
explained in detail at Exit Workshops. Footage of this topic
from the 2024 Exit workshop program can be found on the
following page.
Voluntary vs Non-Voluntary Death
A successful (eg. peaceful reliable and quick) death by
nitrogen hypoxia demands the cooperation of a person who
wants to die. The problem with Smith's execution is that he
did not want to die. A non-voluntary death such as execution
is unlikely to ever have the cooperation of the prisoner,
why would they? Smith fought the process. By doing so he
prolonged his death.
The Alabama Gas Flow Rate
In the court transcript, the judge stated that a 701/min nitrogen
flow-rate would be used with the off-the-shelf face mask.
Exit's recommended flow for use with a plastic Exit bag is
15L/min.
pph handbook