A couple is set to become the first British citizens to use a controversial double suicide pod.
Peter, 86, and Christine Scott, 80, who have been happily married for 46 years, are planning to travel to Switzerland to end their lives together in the Sarco death capsule, dying peacefully in each other’s arms.
Their decision comes after Christine, a former nurse, was diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia.
Peter, a former RAF pilot, told the Daily Mail, “We have had long, happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives, but now, in old age, it doesn’t treat you kindly.”
“The thought of witnessing Chris’s mental abilities slowly deteriorate alongside my own physical decline is horrific to me.”
“Of course, I would care for her as long as I possibly could, but Chris has cared for enough dementia patients during her career to know she wants to stay in control of herself and her life.”
“Assisted dying gives her that opportunity, and I wouldn’t want to continue living without her.”
The couple, who have six grandchildren, are in the process of signing up with the Swiss organization The Last Resort, which offers assisted dying through the pod.
Sarco, short for “sarcophagus,” is a 3D-printed capsule mounted on a stand that contains a canister of liquid nitrogen, allowing individuals to die by suicide through inert gas asphyxiation.
The use of nitrogen rapidly reduces oxygen levels, which helps prevent panic and suffocation. The entire process takes only about 10 minutes.
Peter added, “We acknowledge that others may have different perspectives and we respect their views.”
“What we’re seeking is the right to choose. It’s deeply disheartening that we can’t exercise that right here in the UK.”
“Consider the alternative: the likelihood of receiving timely NHS treatment for age-related ailments seems quite slim, leaving many trapped by infirmity and pain.”
“I don’t want to end up in care, lying in bed, dribbling and incontinent—that’s not how I define a life.”
Christine added, “It’s a wonderful life, but my diagnosis has clarified our thinking.”
“Medicine can slow vascular dementia, but it can’t halt it. When I reached the point where I felt I was losing myself, I would say, ‘This is it, Pete. I don’t want to go any further.'”
This follows Dr. Philip Nitschke’s announcement that he plans to install suicide pods in the UK.
