Suicidal asphyxiation by using pure helium gas: case report, review, and discussion of the influence of the internet.
Suffocation by inhaled gases has been reported involving a variety of gases. We report a case of suicidal asphyxiation by forced replacement of oxygen with helium by using a complex homemade mask. In this case, a young woman researched suicide on the Internet and found an advocated method of suicide using helium. To our knowledge, there is only 1 previously reported case of suicidal asphyxia by using helium.
Gallagher
Kenneth E
KE
Department of Pathology, Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Indiana 47303, USA. kengallagher@juno.com
Smith
David M
DM
Mellen
Paul F
PF
D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008397:Masks; D008722:Methods; D013405:Suicide
D006371:Helium