Switzerland's Kairos Collar Faces First Real-World Assisted-Suicide Test
Switzerland's Kairos Collar Faces First Real-World Assisted-Suicide Test
Switzerland's Kairos Collar Faces First Real-World Assisted-Suicide Test
A new assisted-suicide device, the Kairos collar, is set for its first real-world test in Switzerland. The invention follows last year's controversial use of the Sarco pod, which resulted in the death of 86-year-old Florian Willet. Legal concerns now surround the latest device, as authorities have yet to assess its safety or legality.
The collar, designed by Philip Nitschke, works by compressing the carotid artery to induce unconsciousness before death. A Dutch volunteer has already agreed to take part in the trial, organised by Swiss group The Last Resort—a branch of Exit International.
The Kairos collar is the newest creation from Philip Nitschke, the Australian doctor behind the Sarco pod. That device made headlines in September 2024 when Willet became the first person to use it. Swiss prosecutors later launched investigations into those who assisted him, raising questions about legal risks for facilitators.
The collar itself is designed to be low-cost, covering only manufacturing expenses—around a few hundred Swiss francs. Unlike some assisted-suicide methods, Swiss law permits such devices as long as providers act without financial motive. Charging excessive fees could still lead to prosecution.
The Last Resort, the Swiss organisation overseeing the test, recently appointed Marc Dusseiller to its board. He has been directly involved in developing the Kairos collar. Nitschke plans to share more technical details at a press conference later this month.
However, the test remains legally uncertain. Swiss authorities have not yet conducted a medical or legal review of the device. Previous cases, including the Sarco pod, triggered criminal investigations, leaving unanswered questions about liability for those involved in the trial.
A Dutch patient has already volunteered to be the first to use the collar. The test will mark the device's debut in a real-world setting, though its future depends on regulatory responses.
The Kairos collar's upcoming trial will determine whether it avoids the legal troubles faced by earlier devices. Swiss law allows assisted suicide under strict conditions, but the lack of official assessments leaves the test in a grey area. The outcome could influence how similar inventions are regulated in the future.