Florida Lethal Injection Procedure

LETHAL INJECTION PROCEDURE

The procedure for execution by lethal injection is as follows:

The defendant is given a thorough physical examination

sometime prior to the date of execution, including a medical

history.

On the date of the execution the defendant is fed his last

meal. Utensils authorized are a plate and a spoon.

A physician consults with the defendant and explains the

execution procedure. The defendant is offered Valium.

The defendant is escorted to the preparation area near the

death chamber and is laid down on a gurney. The gurney has straps

which are used to secure the defendant.

Two IV's are started by qualified medical personnel. One IV

is placed in each arm. A saline solution is started in each IV.

Meanwhile, a pharmacist prepares eight syringes, numbered one

through eight.

Syringes numbered one and two contain Sodium Pentathol. The

dosage itself is lethal. This drug is used in surgical settings as

an anaesthetic. It will take effect in a matter of seconds.

Syringe number three contains a saline solution which is used

as a flushing agent.

Syringes four and five contain a lethal dosage of Pancuronium

Bromide which causes paralysis.

Syringe six contains a saline solution which is used as a

flushing agent.

Syringes seven and eight contain a lethal dosage of Potassium

Chloride which will stop the heart from beating.

The syringes are inserted, in numerical order, into a port in

the IV tube and are administered one after the other in the order

stated.

Six persons are present in the death chamber besides the

defendant. In addition to the executioner, there is a medical

doctor, a physician's assistant, and three others, presumably

security personnel. The medical doctor is present in the event

there is some unusual event that needs medical attention and the

physician's assistant is present both as an observer and to check

for a pulse after the drugs have been administered.

A photograph of the gurney is posted on the Internet at

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/secretary/press/injection.html