An Australian company has successfully cryogenically frozen a man after his death in hopes of revival in the future. This groundbreaking procedure, conducted by Southern Cryonics and CryoPath tech, marks the first successful cryonics suspension in Australia.
An Australian company has successfully cryogenically frozen a man after his death in hopes of revival in the future. Comunidad de Madrid - Handout/Getty Images
Achieving Successful Cryogenic Freezing in Australia
As seen in science fiction movies like Marvel's Captain America, cryonics involves freezing deceased individuals in the hope of one day bringing them back to life.
A deceased man from Australia in his 80s opted for cryopreservation after his passing on May 12. In collaboration with Aaron Drake of Arizona Medical Science, Southern Cryonics developed protocols for freezing and preserving bodies, establishing the first cryonics facility in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2023.
This method involves a series of steps to cool the body to extremely low temperatures using specialized equipment. Interesting Engineering reported that the individual involved, referred to by the company as "Patient 1," underwent the first successful cryonics suspension from May 12 to 17.
The firm swiftly responded after learning of Patient 1's deteriorating health and subsequent passing on May 12 in Sydney, Australia. With the quick action of their team, including Phil Rhoades and Australian Blood Management (ABM), along with cooperation from hospital staff, the suspension process commenced promptly.
Patient 1 was transferred from the hospital's cooling room to A. O'Hare funeral home, where he was packed in ice, with the funeral director offering immediate support.
The procedure unfolded in Sydney, and following initial preparations, the body was transported to Southern Cryonics' facility in Holbrook in New South Wales, Australia.
The ABM's team, consisting of four to six members, including clinical perfusionists and a doctor, dedicated 10 hours to the process. They followed stabilization and vitrification perfusion protocols, utilizing the latest ECMO technology.
Patient 1 was securely wrapped in a special sleeping bag designed to remain intact in liquid nitrogen. After cooling to dry ice temperature, the patient's body was transported to the Holbrook facility.
After acquiring the body, Patient 1 underwent cooling to liquid nitrogen temperatures at the facility's computer-controlled cooling chamber. The body was then transferred to a dewar. Phil Rhoades led this initiative, with support from Joe Allen and Neil Britt and assistance from Scribble Films. The entire process was finalized on May 17.
Southern Cryonics highlighted the meticulous adherence to protocols developed with Aaron Drake of Arizona Medical Science. The successful operation was attributed to a collaborative team effort, showcasing dedication and professionalism. The organization expressed immense pride in this achievement.
Cryonics refers to preserving individuals through cryogenic freezing after legal death, hoping that future medical advances may enable to revive them and cure their ailments at the time of death.
The term "cryogenics" comes from the Greek word "Kyros," which means cold. Many associate cryogenics with the concept of immortality inspired by science fiction, and they believe that future medical technology will be more advanced and capable of addressing current incurable conditions.
