Elderly couple will be asked three mandatory questions before choosing to die in double suicide pod

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

An elderly couple who have chosen to die together in a controversial 'suicide pod' will answer three questions before the process begins.

Peter and Christine Scott, from the UK, became the first British couple to sign up to using the pod after Christine, 80, was diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia.

They are planning to travel to Switzerland to follow through with their wishes, ending their lives in a double 'suicide pod' invented by Dr Philip Nitschke.

A lot of backlash came following the unveiling of the suicide pod (Exit International)

Nitschke is also the founder of Exit International; a company which provides 'information and education about practical DIY end of life choices to rational adults'.

The Sarco pod is designed to offer adults of sound mind an alternative to existing legal assisted dying methods, though it has sparked controversy from authorities.

A letter obtained by the Swiss newspaper Blick from Public Prosecutor Peter Stiche claimed that there could be 'serious consequences' for operators of the pod, saying: "There is no reliable information about the method of killing.

"[It is] completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process."

Christine and Peter want to end their lives together (Getty Stock Photo)

However, Dr Nitschke argued: "We believe that it is the fundamental human right of every adult of sound mind, to be able to plan for the end of their life in a way that is reliable, peaceful & at a time of their choosing.”

Should Peter and Christine go ahead with their plans, they would be asked with three questions upon entering the pod.

Dr Nitschke told the MailOnline that every user would be asked the same questions, namely: 'Who are you?', 'Where are you?' and 'Do you know what happens if you press the button?'

The inventor further explained: "If they answer those questions verbally, the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed.

"And if they press the button they will die very quickly.

"When you climb into Sarco the oxygen level is 21% but after you press the button it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen to drop to less than one per cent."

The pod is designed to reduce oxygen for the person inside (Exit International)

According to Exit International, the pod is designed to 'produce a rapid decrease in oxygen level, while maintaining a low CO2 level'. The company claims these are the conditions for a 'peaceful, even euphoric death'.

Peter and Christine have acknowledged that they have had 'long, happy' lives, but they do not want to experience the 'slow degradation of Chris's mental abilities'.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Peter said: "Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life.

"Assisted dying gives her that opportunity and I would not want to go on living without her."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

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