The following is from a book called guide to a Humane self chosen death "c h a p t e r 10
Well-known methods that are ineffective
or dangerous to others
10.1 Plastic bag with sedatives method
The use of a plastic bag as a supposedly effective suicide method was
made famous by the book Final Exit. In theory, death occurs by asphyxi-
ation from oxygen depletion inside the bag. But testimonies by eyewit-
nesses who did not intervene at the scene cast doubt on the percentage
of cases that result in death without assistance by someone present (see
reported cases below). We will try to untangle the knot of misunder-
standing that surrounds this method.
First, there is confusion about the effectiveness of the plastic bag
because it is sometimes used in combination with one of the drugs that
are deadly in themselves (see Chapter 3-7).In those cases the plastic bag
is redundant.
Second, when the plastic bag is used after taking benzodiazepines
only, which usually are not lethal, choking will cause frantic move-
ments resembling the wrestling of someone who is drowning. This will
displace the bag even if it is properly closed or sealed at the neck. The
instinctive wrestling for air starts after unconsciousness has set in. As
soon as one gets air again through a leak, one falls into a deep sleep due
to the benzodiazepines.People wake up in shame after many hours and
usually don't warn others about the plastic bag failure.1
Third, a loved one who has been asked to be present at a self-chosen
death with mild sedatives and a plastic bag will notice that the bag
moves aside due to the movements that accompany suffocation. The
witness realises how dearly the person with the bag longed for death
and may well yield to the temptation to replace it around the neck after
adeep sleep has come.Alternatively, cases have been reported where the
witness may try to hold the hands of the wrestling person, to prevent
the bag from being pulled away.
2 Either way they may suffer lifelong."