Exit Bag Guide: Exploring Methods & Considerations | Discover Now

Hollie Heller 20 May 2025

Is it possible to design a device that offers a peaceful and reliable end, or are we destined to confront the complexities of existence without a readily available exit strategy? The "exit bag," a controversial yet practical method, presents a stark answer to this question.

The instructions for constructing a DIY "exit bag" with elastic, as well as the accompanying videos, often prove overly complex. The design itself can be confusing, leading some to explore alternative approaches, such as the "sweatband method." The "Betty" video, alongside other resources, provides alternative methods.

The "suicide bag," also referred to as an "exit bag" or "hood," serves as part of a euthanasia device. It consists of a large plastic bag fitted with a drawcord, designed to facilitate suicide through inert gas asphyxiation. Following the success of the "DIY with Betty" series, Exit International initiated the filming of two new clips, featuring Philip alongside VES NZ President Jack Jones.

The method involves placing the bag over the head, securing it around the neck, and introducing an inert gas, such as helium or nitrogen, via a tube. The minimum flow rate has been determined to be approximately 5 liters per minute. This approach has deterred many from pursuing the plastic exit bag. Even at Exit International workshops, attendees often voice their reservations, expressing discomfort with the method. Retired French academic Lisette Nigot has openly shared her aversion to this method.

Two disposable helium tanks may be used to feed into the exit bag through tubing connected by a junction. It's common to secure connections with masking tape to minimize leakage. As one considers the practicalities, questions arise regarding hand restraints, which could hinder the operation of valves. The exit bag is designed to induce rapid loss of consciousness by preventing oxygen inhalation. Using a mask would necessitate flow rates of at least 20 liters per second to avoid oxygen contamination, a significantly higher rate than required with the exit bag.

The "helium hood" method involves placing a large bag over the head, securing it around the neck, and feeding helium into the hood via a tube. The inert gas aims to prevent panic. For those contemplating this path, the estimated cost of materials for an exit bag is approximately eighty dollars. Some individuals, after reaching out to support services like hotlines and crisis centers, may find themselves facing a finite timeframe. The experience of seeing a loved one, such as a father battling throat cancer, inspires a desire for positivity even in the face of profound challenges.

Making an exit bag (2009) parodies the "DIY with Betty" video, created for the Exit Foundation by an elderly nurse educator. In conjunction with the consumption of sleeping pills, these bags are recommended as an aid to commit suicide by organizations in favor of humane death. The use of Worthington cylinders for gas flow control presents challenges. Too low a rate can lead to carbon dioxide buildup, while too high a rate can be problematic.

In 2012 and 2013, a movie and a book about a 'dignified end of life' were published in the Netherlands, describing suicide using an 'exit bag' to establish asphyxiation using helium (the helium method). Some find this approach unappealing, opting instead for alternatives such as nitrogen and oven bags. Interactions at welding supply shops can prove helpful, but it is crucial to ensure discretion regarding intentions. The process involves ensuring the tapes can be easily pulled through the central 'H' slit for neck adjustment, followed by cordlock adjustments for a snug fit, and finally, releasing the cordlock for bag removal.

The "suicide bag," also known as an "exit bag" or "hood," is part of a euthanasia device designed to induce death via inert gas asphyxiation. It is typically used with an inert gas lighter or less dense than air, like helium or nitrogen. The "DIY with Betty" video demonstrates the simple manufacture of an exit bag. The "Peaceful Pill Handbook" contains a completed exit bag and the necessary materials. The uncensored film is available in the "Peaceful Pill eHandbook." Few are willing to use a plastic bag for this purpose, yet the exit bag offers a reliable method for a peaceful death. To address the aversion to the exit bag, Exit's new citizen science initiative aims to find a replacement.

Following the success of "DIY with Betty," Exit began filming two new clips featuring Philip with VES NZ President Jack Jones. Toxicology information has limitations in helium inhalation cases, with drug screenings yielding no significant data. The cause of death is often determined by physical evidence. Helium inhalation can be concealed, prompting some individuals to consider alternative methods. Nitschke & Stewart, in the "Peaceful Pill Handbook," provide detailed instructions on creating a reliable "exit" bag, discussing gas flows and regulation. Nitschke's device is a modification of the exit bag with helium method described in the "Peaceful Pill Handbook." Helium was replaced with compressed nitrogen, regulated into a plastic bag. Nitrogen offers the advantage of larger amounts and sustained flow rates. The "exit bag," not a "suicide bag," is easily operable, inexpensive, and legally available.

Aspect	Details
Name/Term	Exit Bag, Suicide Bag, Helium Hood
Description	A device used for suicide through inert gas asphyxiation. It involves a large plastic bag with a drawcord.
Mechanism	The bag is placed over the head and secured around the neck. An inert gas like helium or nitrogen is introduced, preventing oxygen intake and inducing unconsciousness.
Materials	Large plastic bag, drawcord, tubing, inert gas (helium, nitrogen), optional: gas tanks/cylinders, regulator.
Purpose	To facilitate a peaceful and reliable death, particularly for individuals seeking to end their lives.
Associated Documents	Peaceful Pill Handbook, Peaceful Pill eHandbook, "DIY with Betty" video series.
Controversy	The Exit Bag is highly controversial due to its association with suicide, with ethical and moral implications.
Alternatives	Some individuals find the process unappealing and explore alternatives, such as the "sweatband method" or nitrogen, and oven bags.
Safety Precautions	Users should understand how to use the device to prevent oxygen contamination in the bag.
Legal Status	The legality of the "exit bag" and related activities varies widely depending on jurisdiction.
Reference Website	Exit International

The "helium hood" method involves a bag over the head, secured at the neck, with helium fed into it. The inert gas aims to prevent panic. The exit bag can be used with various gases, keeping the gas in full contact with the nose and mouth, accelerating the process. As noted, the video "isn't a tutorial for depressed, suicidal people."