David Giles
9 Jul 2014 · Coroner Zafar Siddique · Birmingham & Solihull
A similar concern from this report was raised again 1 time later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. unrestricted sale of helium gas canisters
“The sale of Helium gas canisters is readily available to members of the general 1 public with no apparent restrictions or conditions on sale or place.”
2. lack of safety valve on helium canisters
“Helium canisters are not fitted with any modified control valve which if in place could restrict the volume of gas being released and are generally sold in standard sizes.”
3. online suicide instructions for helium inhalation
“The type of immediate and easily accessible information through internet search engines which provides clear and detailed guidance on how to commit suicide by inhalation of helium gas.”
4. increase in helium-related suicides
“The latest statistical update on Suicide report issued in January 2014 by the Department for Health suggests that there were 51 deaths mentioning helium in 2012 in England, almost five times higher than the 11 deaths recorded in 2008. Although the number of deaths involving these substances is still relatively small, the large increases are of particular interest as almost all of these deaths were suicides.”
Linked reports
Identical hazardConfidence 0.95 · high
This report
“The sale of Helium gas canisters is readily available to members of the general 1 public with no apparent restrictions or conditions on sale or place.”
Later report
“There is no restriction on members of the public purchasing these items.”
Responses
2014-0321-Response-by-Department-of-Health.pdf ↗· Home Office