New single-drug lethal injection protocol

[MillCreek]

Here in Washington state, an inmate was executed this week.  It was the first execution in nine years, and the first using a new single-drug lethal injection protocol.  Following the lead of Ohio, we used a large (5 gram) dose of sodium thiopental, an ultra-rapid barbituate anesthestic.  It is often used in medicine to induce general anesthesia.  A large overdose depresses cardiac and respiratory function.

The inmate died about 90 seconds after the drug was administered.  The advantage of this protocol is that using a single large overdose of anesthetic just about guarantees that the inmate will not suffer undue pain, as is possible using the three drug lethal injection protocol of sodium thiopental, Pavulon and potassium chloride.  Many courts across the country have put the three drug protocol on hold after some data showing that inmates could be conscious and aware and feel great pain during the execution. 

I wonder if the one drug protocol will become the standard.

[zahc]

If I was to be executed, I would still prefer a .45 to the brain pan, over any kind of injection. 90 seconds is an eternity, and it's just stupid. Our executions are more like fetishistic ritual sacrifices.

[Perd Hapley]

Is it lead?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

leave it to government to complicate things.  all over america junkies overdose and die using a cheap one dose painless method and somebody with a bunch of letters after their name needed to find a better way. i can show you a 100% effective method that will have the inmate losing conciousness almost before you withdraw the needle.

[Perd Hapley]

i can show you a 100% effective method that will have the inmate losing conciousness almost before you withdraw the needle.

As the forum's involuntary guinea pig, I really don't like where this is going.

[MillCreek]

As the forum's involuntary guinea pig, I really don't like where this is going.

If it doesn't work, you can file a complaint!

[Gowen]

Fistful, we wouldn't off you.  Who would we blame things on in the future?

[280plus]

The Ghost of Fistful, Eternal Scapegoat, of course. 

[Northwoods]

I just wish it hadn't taken 19 YEARS (and untold millions of dollars) to execute that scumbag.  He freely admitted to the kidnapping/rape/torture/murder of a young woman.  He should have been executed within 19 DAYS of the guilty verdict.

[seeker_two]

Guillotine still has a 100% success rate....and no one who's experienced it ever complained about pain or suffering....

[vaskidmark]

Did they use an alcohol prep pad to sterilize the injection site before sticking the needle in?

That little maneuver always tripped my giggle box.

Sorry if that makes you think I'm perverse, but that's the way I roll.

stay safe.

[MillCreek]

Did they use an alcohol prep pad to sterilize the injection site before sticking the needle in?

That little maneuver always tripped my giggle box.

Sorry if that makes you think I'm perverse, but that's the way I roll.

stay safe.

As a matter of fact, they do.  This is for two reasons:  to maintain aseptic technique in case the inmate gets a last-minute stay after the IV lines are placed; and it is less emotionally traumatic for the staff for the execution to have the trappings of a clinical procedure.

[seeker_two]

As a matter of fact, they do.  This is for two reasons:  to maintain aseptic technique in case the inmate gets a last-minute stay after the IV lines are placed; and it is less emotionally traumatic for the staff for the execution to have the trappings of a clinical procedure.

OK....so we can bring Band-Aids to the guillotine, too....

[MechAg94]

I thought guillotines failed often if they weren't kept sharp.

I wonder why they don't just put a breathing air mask over them then switch it to pure nitrogen.  They will pass out immediately and be dead in minutes.  You could include some nitrous if you want it to be enjoyable.
I guess people don't like the idea of gassing inmates.

[Perd Hapley]

Again, why not bullets?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

I thought guillotines failed often if they weren't kept sharp.

I wonder why they don't just put a breathing air mask over them then switch it to pure nitrogen.  They will pass out immediately and be dead in minutes.  You could include some nitrous if you want it to be enjoyable.
I guess people don't like the idea of gassing inmates.

the guys would try to hold their breath  its not pretty to watch

[Viking]

Again, why not bullets?

Because it appears that people want to de-brutalize the act of executing someone, to pretend that someone isn't put to death. Guns, hanging, decapitation are brutal, while electrocution and lethal injection appears "clean".

[Nitrogen]

I'd rather freeze to death.

[Nick1911]

nitrogen would be okay, I think.

CO might not be bad either.

[TechMan]

Again, why not bullets?

Utah did that recently, guy was sentenced when firing squads were an option and they had to let him choose.

[Viking]

Utah did that recently, guy was sentenced when firing squads were an option and they had to let him choose.

IIRC, they still have a couple of folks on death row who can choose to be executed by firing squad since they were convicted before firing squad as capital punishment was abolished.

[MillCreek]

the guys would try to hold their breath  its not pretty to watch

At the California gas chamber at San Quentin, the warden would recommend to the inmate that they take deep breaths to get it over with as soon as possible.  Trying to hold your breath only prolonged the process.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

but they hold their breath anyway  following directions well and being smart being rare commodity in the death house

[zahc]

Uh, if they flooded them with nitrogen I don't see why they would hold their breath. It wouldn't really make a difference anyway versus breathing nitrogen, which seems completely normal until you just kind of pass out.

A lot of people don't understand the difference between suffocation and oxygen deprivation, which is why so many people die from going down in holes or silos filled with heavy gasses. People expect to feel *something* if the air is not safe to breath, or they expect a choking sensation, or a suffocation sensation, or some kind of smell, but it doesn't work like that. Since your breathing reflex is triggered by CO2 accumulation, taking breaths of Nitrogen feels just dandy and refreshing as taking breaths of air.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

a lot of people don't understand the guy they are executing knows its coming  hes not being surprised in a hole or silo