My response:
Look, people. This is a legal site. He's already received advice and, if he wants to "check out", then let him. More room for me. But, let me help you from a legal standpoint - - Read the following, fill it out, sign it, date it, have some witnesses sign it, and then give it to your best friend for safekeeping, and give a copy to your treating physician.
IAAL
LIVING WILL
1. TO: My family, my physician, my attorney, to any medical facility in whose care I happen to be, and to any individual who may become responsible for my health, welfare, or affairs.
2. If the time comes when I, (your name), presently residing at (your address), county of (your county), (your social security number), can no longer take part in decisions for my own future, this statement, made willfully and while I am of sound mind and emotionally and mentally competent to make this living will, shall stand as my instructions regarding my physical care.
3. If at any time I should have an incurable injury, disease, or illness that at least two physicians who have examined me personally, one of whom is my attending physician, certify to be a terminal condition as defined in my state's laws, and those physicians also certify that the use of life-sustaining, artificial, or extreme medical or surgical procedures or means would only artificially prolong the moment of my death, and certify that my death is imminent if such artificial or extreme procedures are not used, I direct that such procedures be withheld or withdrawn, and that I be permitted to die naturally. I understand that life-sustaining procedures do not include administration of medicine and sustenance for comfort and care. I direct that medication be mercifully administered to me to alleviate suffering, even though this may hasten the moment of my death.
4. I intend that my family, physicians, attorney, and others shall honor this living will as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment. I accept the consequences of such a refusal.
5. If I have been diagnosed as pregnant, this living will is not intended to be honored during the course of my pregnancy.
6. I have been diagnosed as having a terminal condition caused by disease, illness, or injury by Dr. (insert doctor's name) and (insert doctor's name) whose business addresses are, respectively, (insert doctor's address), and (insert doctors address), and whose telephone numbers are, respectively, (insert doctor's telephone number) and (insert doctor's telephone number), who informed me of such condition, respectively on (date and year) and (date and year).
7. I, my estate, and my legal successors will hold harmless from any liability any person or institution that suffers any loss as a result of following the instructions in this living will.
8. I understand what this living will means. I am making this living will freely and voluntarily because it is what I want to do, not because of physical or mental duress. I am making this living will when I am at least 18 years of age.
9. This living will shall be effective unless and until I revoke it, and shall be governed by the laws of the State of (your state). I understand that I can revoke this living will at any time, and I reserve the right to give current medical directions to my physician or other medical people as long as I am able, even if those directions conflict with this living will.
The above Maker of this Living Will known to us personally or proved to us by presentation of valid identification, signed and published the above as his Living Will, in our presence. At his request, we have signed our names and written our addresses on this will as witness this _____ day of _____________, 200__.
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Your signature / Your address
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Witness / Address
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Witness / Address
