Demographics
45y, male
Date of death
2017-10-03
Finding date
2018-07-17
Cause of death
Combined effects of plastic bag asphyxia and helium gas inhalation
AI-generated summary
A 45-year-old man with a history of bipolar affective disorder and previous suicide attempts died by combined plastic bag asphyxia and helium gas inhalation. He hired a helium cylinder from a party supply store on 2 October 2017 and was found deceased on 5 October. He was under a Community Treatment Order with lithium levels in the therapeutic range at last measurement, and his GP noted no expressed suicidal ideation. The coroner's findings focus on prevention through regulation of helium availability rather than clinical care deficiencies. Key preventive measures discussed include restricting helium sales, adding aversive agents to helium cylinders, modifying valve design to delay gas delivery, and diluting helium with oxygen mixtures. The case highlights that while helium inhalation suicide information is readily available online, limiting access to high-purity helium through retail channels remains the most feasible prevention strategy.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Clinical conditions
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