Why is the Inert Gas Method So Rare?

[bov]

I feel like there are only a couple dozen inert gas CTBs reported a year—if it's so painless, why do you think that is?

Other methods are costly.

Is it just because it requires so much set-up (but even then, not *that* much set-up?)

 

[Wisdom3_1-9]

I think it's a matter of access. Since it was recognized as being a common method years ago, access to pure helium has been extremely limited. This was my preferred method a couple years ago, but I no longer consider it a reasonable option. SN is much more readily available now, though who knows for how much longer?

 

[Checkmate3]

#1 problem is inert gas itself. Where would you get one as an average joe?

 

[WearyOfStruggling]

I also wonder why more people don't consider it instead of other methods that are more painful, terrifying, and take longer to complete. I think that the technical details of understanding what type of gas cylinder and flowmeter regulator to use and where and how to get them put off a lot of people, especially those that don't have a basic understanding of compressed gas and experience attaching threaded connections together. Much of the information on these topics in the PPeH, such as using disposable balloon helium tanks which should no longer be considered because the gas will likely be mixed with air, is outdated and incorrect, adding to the confusion. Once one understands that a sufficiently large cylinder of inert gas can be easily purchased online, at least in the USA, and affordable flowmeter regulators that attach directly to the cylinder are available, putting together the setup becomes very easy.

Some people may envision the gas cylinder being very large, heavy and thus difficult to transport, store and conceal if neccessary, not realizing that 20 and 40 cubic foot cylinders are less than 20 inches tall and are light enough for anyone to pick up and carry.

I have also read on this forum that some people are put off by having the bag over the head due to feeling claustrophobic, but because one will fall unconscious after a few breaths, it would only have to be tolerated for a very short time. Another concern I have seen some state is even after unconsciousness, the person may be able to remove the bag, but after many years of experience with this method by Exit International, they haven't stated any concerns about this happening. I believe them when they say one will quickly go into a coma after losing consciousness due to lack of oxygen to the brain, and body movement isn't possible after that. I don't have any medical expertise, but based on my layman's understanding of oxygen starvation, that makes sense to me. These are just my opinions, and everyone has to decide for themselves what they believe about how this method affects the body.

IMO if more people understood the information above, inert gas would be a much more popular choice.

 

[Greenberg]

I believe the mere fact of planning and securing the equipment and material to be the limiting factor. It requires expertise. There is no impromptu option for this method, like jumping off a building, or in front of a train. There is work that needs to be done beforehand. Moreover, the technicalities of flow rates, flow regulators, masks, and cylinder connections dissuade people from considering it as a plausible solution.

 

[Shades of Grey]

I can't speak for others, but I elected not to go the inert gas route because I don't have much in the way of experience dealing with compressed gases and worried about mucking things up with the regulator and ending up with brain damage.

That said, when I've obtained pure helium (for another purpose), I store it elsewhere. It does not enter my house. I would prefer helium to the method I have settled on, and I do not want to be tempted to use it impulsively.

 

[BPD Barbie]

While the idea of it intrigues me and it sounds quite peaceful and painless, the set up and required materials are what put me off using this method.

 

[OnlyTheWind]

The only thing that puts me off is having to make an exit bag and associated fiddling. If this ends up being my method, I will use NRB or a diving mask.

 

[icanhasnick]

#1 problem is inert gas itself. Where would you get one as an average joe?

Welders are average joes and get their supplies somewhere.

 

[Englishman94]

It's not complicated, there are multiple videos showing how to setup regulators and flowmeters but my guess is that it's too expensive for people

 

[bov]

I feel like Covid is good psychological training for overcoming SI if you're planning on using a nonrebreather. Every time I inhale through my (cloth) mask I feel like I'm preparing for it.

 

[Wayfaerer]

It's prone to failure and the consequences of mucking it up are heavy.

 

[JAG_78]

I tried it. couldn't get it to work.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

This method used to be all the rage during the early internet days. People would build some rather impressive rigs for it too. I think methods go through popularity phases like anything else.

 

[Thatdude]

I feel like there are only a couple dozen inert gas CTBs reported a year—if it's so painless, why do you think that is?

Other methods are costly.

Is it just because it requires so much set-up (but even then, not *that* much set-up?)

3 things

1. Most people don't know where to get the stuff. As others mentioned some gasses are impossible to find or hard to find in the amount needed.
2. The setup is a nightmare. Like too much gas and you can blow out your lungs. Or too little and you will only have brain problems but still be alive.
3. Cost. How much does it cost to jump off a bridge? How much does it cost to jump in front of a train? How much does it cost to hang yourself? How much does this cost (several hundred for most). (Keep in mind, a huge reason why some off themselves is money problems)

I think 2 is the biggest reason. If you want to hang yourself, then you just need to know how to tie a knot. If you want to jump, then you just need to figure out how high is good enough. Stuff like SN it's pretty easy to follow. Where as gasses, you have to figure out how to make sure your regulator is OK, how much gas you need, and so on.

For 1 I'm not just talking about the gas. Most don't know welders gas can do. But most don't have a clue where to get or what to get outside of the gas. This goes along with 2, where people don't know what to get because a setup can be complected.


It might seem like I'm talking this down, but this is my choice. Even more the debreather if I find that actually works since that seems far far far easier. But lets be realistic in saying that this isn't an easy method. That this method most won't even have access to.
I honestly wish this method was easier to access and products were legal. This is the ONLY method I know of that is 100% painless if done right. Like even SN there is a lot of reports of minor to extreme pain. Where with this you just pass out. However, this can be extremely painful if someone finds you and "saves" you or you don't do this right.

That said, when I've obtained pure helium (for another purpose), I store it elsewhere. It does not enter my house. I would prefer helium to the method I have settled on, and I do not want to be tempted to use it impulsively.

Where and how did you get pure helium? As far as I can tell, it's impossible to get this without a license.

This method used to be all the rage during the early internet days. People would build some rather impressive rigs for it too. I think methods go through popularity phases like anything else.

You got to remember you use to be able to buy kits until all of that was outlawed. Also most of the people who tried it can't tell their friends it works :P. So I think most don't know about it.
Like the only place I know of that has good information on this method is this site. Even Google is trying to stomp out these sites from it's search result.

 

[bov]

3 things

1. Most people don't know where to get the stuff. As others mentioned some gasses are impossible to find or hard to find in the amount needed.
2. The setup is a nightmare. Like too much gas and you can blow out your lungs. Or too little and you will only have brain problems but still be alive.
3. Cost. How much does it cost to jump off a bridge? How much does it cost to jump in front of a train? How much does it cost to hang yourself? How much does this cost (several hundred for most). (Keep in mind, a huge reason why some off themselves is money problems)

I think 2 is the biggest reason. If you want to hang yourself, then you just need to know how to tie a knot. If you want to jump, then you just need to figure out how high is good enough. Stuff like SN it's pretty easy to follow. Where as gasses, you have to figure out how to make sure your regulator is OK, how much gas you need, and so on.

For 1 I'm not just talking about the gas. Most don't know welders gas can do. But most don't have a clue where to get or what to get outside of the gas. This goes along with 2, where people don't know what to get because a setup can be complected.


It might seem like I'm talking this down, but this is my choice. Even more the debreather if I find that actually works since that seems far far far easier. But lets be realistic in saying that this isn't an easy method. That this method most won't even have access to.
I honestly wish this method was easier to access and products were legal. This is the ONLY method I know of that is 100% painless if done right. Like even SN there is a lot of reports of minor to extreme pain. Where with this you just pass out. However, this can be extremely painful if someone finds you and "saves" you or you don't do this right.





Where and how did you get pure helium? As far as I can tell, it's impossible to get this without a license.



You got to remember you use to be able to buy kits until all of that was outlawed. Also most of the people who tried it can't tell their friends it works :P. So I think most don't know about it.
Like the only place I know of that has good information on this method is this site. Even Google is trying to stomp out these sites from it's search result.

. The setup is a nightmare.

I'm not sure the set-up is really that much of a nightmare. It's like assembling a piece of IKEA furniture. Right, @Greenberg?

 

[Greenberg]

The problem is that it requires research to obtain the proper instructions in building the setup. Plus, there are so many (minor) variations of the setup depending on equipment and material sourcing.

 

[Thatdude]

The problem is that it requires research to obtain the proper instructions in building the setup. Plus, there are so many (minor) variations of the setup depending on equipment and material sourcing.

Exactly. Unless if you have a dummie guide which includes direct links to parts and it's accurate to when the person is reading it. Things can go wrong. And when things in this go wrong the person's brain is permanently damaged or nothing happened

That is actually my problem with the debreather. I can't find a good part list, and I don't have enough understanding if I'm making it incorrectly.

 

[JAG_78]

I'm not sure the set-up is really that much of a nightmare. It's like assembling a piece of IKEA furniture. Right,

Trust me it is a nightmare. I tried it 8 years ago. I'm not the best at practical stuff especially when severely depressed as I was then but from the instructions I had which were from a very reputable source I couldn't make it work. I didn't have a pre-prepared kit though.
Set up is a problem.

 

[bov]

What went wrong?

 

[AlreadyGone]

I wouldn't say that setup is a nightmare. It does require a lot of work and preparation to get things in order. Also, it doesn't help that a lot of gas supply chains no longer allow you to order nitrogen online; which makes traveling to a welder supply store a requirement. It is definitely not an impromptu method.

 

[JAG_78]

I can't remember exactly. I think it was probably instruction to have the bag closed not too tight around neck. To have a little room to allow just a little gas to escape so that bag wouldn't fill up & burst.
I'm not good with instructions that are in anyway vague thereby requiring me to except use my judgement. Lack of judgement and all the cognitive impairments that under lie it are why I'm here looking to ctb.
Those of us who are neurodevelopmentally/ cognitively shafted really need something simple & straight forward!.

I wouldn't say that setup is a nightmare.

Perhaps it is only a nightmare for the cognitively "differently abled" like me . I can underestimate how "special" I am sometimes.

 

[Matthias_k]

It's simply because N has been easily available for over a decade. More or less same price, no preparation or complicated setup required...Why bother with inert gazes ?

 

[Thatdude]

It's simply because N has been easily available for over a decade. More or less same price, no preparation or complicated setup required...Why bother with inert gazes ?

N isn't completely painless. Also N might be harder to get your hands on in some areas

 

[WearyOfStruggling]

I respectfully disagree with those who say the inert gas exit bag is difficult to assemble. In the USA, just purchase a filled cylinder of inert gas, 20 or 40 cf, online, for instance from the site abbreviated WS. Then purchase an inert gas welding flowmeter regulator for that particular gas, which will screw directly into the gas cylinder. If the flowmeter regulator doesn't come with a barb fitting to attach 1/4" plastic tubing to the outlet, an adapter that will screw into the outlet can be purchased online for under $10. Then add elastic to the oven bag as in the Betty/Chi videos and it's done. All completely legal, no questions asked, no license required, no chance of being scammed by the Russian mafia, completely safe and convenient to store for years if needed, no danger to anyone else, and easy to carry out without detection. And of course peaceful, painless and reliable. Can you say all of those things about any other method discussed on this forum?

 

[Bauhaus]

My main peeve with this method is: how do you keep your body and head perfectly still when doing it ?
Will you need something to strap your body in your couch ? What will you do to prevent your head moving when you nod off when you lose consciousness ?
Is it possible to lay on your bed or won't this work ?

 

[BeBraveBrother]

My main peeve with this method is: how do you keep your body and head perfectly still when doing it ?
Will you need something to strap your body in your couch ? What will you do to prevent your head moving when you nod off when you lose consciousness ?
Is it possible to lay on your bed or won't this work ?

I think an armchair could be helpfull - At least that's what an exit author in my german description is saying. If the back is adjustable it could even better.
The bag must be taped to your shirt so it won't fly away or move too much.

 

[Bauhaus]

I have an armchair (though a cheap one and completely worn out).
That "relaxsessel norden" would be ideal, since you can put your legs on it and lean more backwards.
But it's still possible your body moves sideways, I think.
I also forgot about the gas, I was thinking of nitrogen but it's lighter than air so the bag would fly in the air. Argon would then be a better choice.

 

[bov]

I plan on lying on the floor with my head propped against a couch. It'll be a little uncomfortable on my neck, but if I "fall" there's nowhere to fall.

 

[DockoftheBay]

Looking at the guide in Peacefull Pill Handbook, it seems kinda complicated to obtain all the right parts for flow control and to ensure that they are set up properly. It needs a fair bit of research.