Suicidal deaths due to helium inhalation

Abstract

Purpose The authors reviewed the literature paying attention to helium suicide rates, autopsy findings in people exposed to helium, methods of collecting biological material for toxicological tests, and analytical methods used for detection and quantification of helium in the collected specimens. Methods All reviewed information was gathered through a detailed search of Scopus, PubMed and the WorldWide Web using relevant keywords, e.g., helium, asphyxia, and suicide. Results The use of helium for suicidal purposes is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon around the world. This is undoubtedly influenced by the Internet, which explains in detail the technical aspects of the suicidal use of helium and describes the dying process. Exposure to helium does not lead to poisoning; instead, death is caused by asphyxia. Conclusions Deaths due to helium asphyxiation are still a problem for modern forensic toxicology. Most current methods for collecting biological specimens and identifying the gas seem to be insufficient to give definite opinions in cases of helium asphyxiation. More attempts should be made to modify these methods in order to improve and facilitate detection and quantitative determination of helium and other inert gases.

Suicide-related internet use among mental health patients who died by suicide in the UK: a national clinical survey with case–control analysis

“…In line with previous research, we found SRIU was associated with patients dying by gas inhalation and self-poisoning. 22 , 23 Whilst deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have been steadily declining in the last few decades, the incidence of poisoning with other gasses is on the rise. 22 SRIU may potentially influence this increase by facilitating both the purchase of these means and instructions for their use.…”

“… 22 , 23 Whilst deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have been steadily declining in the last few decades, the incidence of poisoning with other gasses is on the rise. 22 SRIU may potentially influence this increase by facilitating both the purchase of these means and instructions for their use. This has also been reported for suicide by self-poisoning, especially with less commonly used substances.…”

“…Timely and open invitations to discuss SRIU could interrupt acquiring means and researching suicide by more unusual and less readily available methods. As the internet seems to be a primary source of ‘social contagion’ of emerging methods, 22 , 23 it is important to monitor any mention of novel means of suicide. This could be achieved both at the population level, by regulating the existence and indexing of webpages carrying this information, and at the individual level, steering patients from harmful SRIU and promoting the beneficial components of such internet use.…”

Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism due to Helium Inhalation from a High-Pressure Gas Cylinder

“…The wide availability of high-pressure helium tanks from retail stores and the encouragement of “helium huffing” on social media raise concern that helium-related CAGE may be more common than reports suggest. This mechanism should be distinguished from helium-induced asphyxia caused by continuously breathing helium under low pressure [ 17 , 18 ], usually in an attempt at suicide, but occasionally by accident in the pediatric population [ 19 , 20 ].…”