| Freelance Articles by Mary King |
| This article is protected by Copyright. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication. |
Can You Die from Playing the Choking Game?
In a word, yes. Playing the choking game alone is extremely dangerous
because the person may pass out before he can stop the strangulation. At the
very least, he (or she) might only suffer brain injury if help arrives in time.
Otherwise, death is the end result.
How many people have died from playing the choking game? It's hard to say
because the choking game and hanging to cause death are so much alike. In
some cases it's hard to tell if the intent was to get high or if it was an act of
suicide.
The Time magazine website (Health and Science) and contributing writer William
Lee Adams give a few statistics in the article, "A Dangerous Pastime for Teens:
The Choking Game" (Jan. 2010): "The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in Atlanta estimates that at least 82 people died from the activity
between 1995 and 2007. But according to the Wisconsin-based campaign
group Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play (GASP), as many as 1,000 young
people die in the U.S. each year playing some variation of the game."
Listen to the Stories of Those Left Behind
Want to read about others who have died from playing the choking game?
Watch the video below titled "Choking Game ~ Wakeup!" It was asked that this
video be shared so that others might become educated. David Lohr,
contributing writer for AOL News, is helping to raise awareness of the choking
game with his March 2010 article titled, "Dangerous 'Choking Game' Alarms
Police, Parents". Lohr's source for information, Kate Leonardi, is founder and
director of the
Dangerous Behaviors Foundation.
Why the need for a foundation? Leonardi's son died playing the choking game
and she wants other kids, parents and adults to realize the danger involved.
Lohr states, "Both males and females participate, although they typically use
different methods. Girls," Leonardi said, "usually do it at parties, using chest
compressions, whereas boys generally use their hands to choke one another."
In a word, yes. Playing the choking game alone is extremely dangerous
because the person may pass out before he can stop the strangulation. At the
very least, he (or she) might only suffer brain injury if help arrives in time.
Otherwise, death is the end result.
How many people have died from playing the choking game? It's hard to say
because the choking game and hanging to cause death are so much alike. In
some cases it's hard to tell if the intent was to get high or if it was an act of
suicide.
The Time magazine website (Health and Science) and contributing writer William
Lee Adams give a few statistics in the article, "A Dangerous Pastime for Teens:
The Choking Game" (Jan. 2010): "The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in Atlanta estimates that at least 82 people died from the activity
between 1995 and 2007. But according to the Wisconsin-based campaign
group Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play (GASP), as many as 1,000 young
people die in the U.S. each year playing some variation of the game."
Listen to the Stories of Those Left Behind
Want to read about others who have died from playing the choking game?
Watch the video below titled "Choking Game ~ Wakeup!" It was asked that this
video be shared so that others might become educated. David Lohr,
contributing writer for AOL News, is helping to raise awareness of the choking
game with his March 2010 article titled, "Dangerous 'Choking Game' Alarms
Police, Parents". Lohr's source for information, Kate Leonardi, is founder and
director of the
Dangerous Behaviors Foundation.
Why the need for a foundation? Leonardi's son died playing the choking game
and she wants other kids, parents and adults to realize the danger involved.
Lohr states, "Both males and females participate, although they typically use
different methods. Girls," Leonardi said, "usually do it at parties, using chest
compressions, whereas boys generally use their hands to choke one another."
| Choking Game to Get High Can Cause Death, Parents and Teens Warned |
| It's called "Choking Game","Passout" and a few other quirky names. Cutting off oxygen to the brain can lead to seizure, stroke and irreversible brain damage. The thrill of passing out to get high can also end in death. |
| Would you know if your child was playing the choking game? Most parents don't even know it exists. |
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September 2011
Teenagers across America are playing a dangerous game to get high. The "choking game" is no game,
but the trend is going viral as more kids get involved. The results won't show on a drug test. The addiction
doesn't cost a cent. There are no drugs or household chemicals involved, and no special equipment is
required. All that's needed to play is a belt, cord, or some other device that can be cinched around the
neck. Friends do it to each other by placing their hands around the victim's neck.
Parents, as well as teens and anyone of any age, should know that strangulation can be deadly.The
choking game can be played alone, but friends often play in groups or at parties. What's more, it's not just
"bad kids" or teens from poor backgrounds that are playing the choking game; students with high grades
who come from good homes are playing, too.
How is the Choking Game Played?
The choking game starts out like suicidal hanging (or strangulation). The purpose of the choking game is
to cut off blood flow – and oxygen – to the brain for a brief period of time. When the ligature is released,
the result is a lightheaded feeling (the high) from the returning rush of blood to the head.
A solo player is supposed to stop and loosen the noose around his neck before he passes out. When
friends play, the victim is often deprived of oxygen until he passes out. Those on the sidelines watch as
the victim twitches and gradually comes around as blood returns to the brain. Unfortunately, for too many
victims, it doesn't always happen that way.
It's unfortunate too, that younger siblings may sneak a peek at what's going on. It's possible that a
younger child will be tempted to play the choking game just like an older brother or sister. Parents don't
usually suspect a thing – at least until their teen or tween ends up in the emergency room.
but the trend is going viral as more kids get involved. The results won't show on a drug test. The addiction
doesn't cost a cent. There are no drugs or household chemicals involved, and no special equipment is
required. All that's needed to play is a belt, cord, or some other device that can be cinched around the
neck. Friends do it to each other by placing their hands around the victim's neck.
Parents, as well as teens and anyone of any age, should know that strangulation can be deadly.The
choking game can be played alone, but friends often play in groups or at parties. What's more, it's not just
"bad kids" or teens from poor backgrounds that are playing the choking game; students with high grades
who come from good homes are playing, too.
How is the Choking Game Played?
The choking game starts out like suicidal hanging (or strangulation). The purpose of the choking game is
to cut off blood flow – and oxygen – to the brain for a brief period of time. When the ligature is released,
the result is a lightheaded feeling (the high) from the returning rush of blood to the head.
A solo player is supposed to stop and loosen the noose around his neck before he passes out. When
friends play, the victim is often deprived of oxygen until he passes out. Those on the sidelines watch as
the victim twitches and gradually comes around as blood returns to the brain. Unfortunately, for too many
victims, it doesn't always happen that way.
It's unfortunate too, that younger siblings may sneak a peek at what's going on. It's possible that a
younger child will be tempted to play the choking game just like an older brother or sister. Parents don't
usually suspect a thing – at least until their teen or tween ends up in the emergency room.
What Happens to the Brain during the Choking Game?
Dr. Phil McGraw, who is popular with everyone from parents, to teachers and young people, has much to say about this
dangerous teen trend known as the choking game. See Dr. Phil's website and the section titled, "The Deadly Teen Choking
Game: A Teen in Trouble" (2009). As quoted from page 2 of the article, Dr. Phil explains the physical ramifications of the
choking game:
"Do you know that your brain at that point is essentially in seizure? That what you've done is asphyxiated your brain to the point
that your brain cells are dying,” he says sternly. "It's not 'could kill some brain cells,' you are killing brain cells … Probably in the
millions, definitely not recoverable. And so every time that happens, there could be hemorrhage, there could be silent strokes in
the temporal lobe and other areas. Even if nothing catastrophic ever happens, the damage is inalterable.”
From the same website, same section, read how one parent shares the story of her son's death in the article, "A Mom in
Mourning" (2009).
How to Tell if Someone Is Playing the Choking Game
What signs or clues indicate a teen might be playing the choking game? Incidentally, don't worry about invading your teen's
privacy if you want to search his room and belongings for clues while he's at school or away from home. You're the parent and
whatever is under your roof IS your business, especially if you suspect something is endangering your child. Otherwise:
Dr. Phil McGraw, who is popular with everyone from parents, to teachers and young people, has much to say about this
dangerous teen trend known as the choking game. See Dr. Phil's website and the section titled, "The Deadly Teen Choking
Game: A Teen in Trouble" (2009). As quoted from page 2 of the article, Dr. Phil explains the physical ramifications of the
choking game:
"Do you know that your brain at that point is essentially in seizure? That what you've done is asphyxiated your brain to the point
that your brain cells are dying,” he says sternly. "It's not 'could kill some brain cells,' you are killing brain cells … Probably in the
millions, definitely not recoverable. And so every time that happens, there could be hemorrhage, there could be silent strokes in
the temporal lobe and other areas. Even if nothing catastrophic ever happens, the damage is inalterable.”
From the same website, same section, read how one parent shares the story of her son's death in the article, "A Mom in
Mourning" (2009).
How to Tell if Someone Is Playing the Choking Game
What signs or clues indicate a teen might be playing the choking game? Incidentally, don't worry about invading your teen's
privacy if you want to search his room and belongings for clues while he's at school or away from home. You're the parent and
whatever is under your roof IS your business, especially if you suspect something is endangering your child. Otherwise:
- Look for redness or bruising around the teen's neck.
- Check for bloodshot eyes.
- Note if your teen complains of a headache.
- Notice if the teen looks and/or acts rather disoriented after being in his room for a while with the door shut.
- Does the teen own any belts, neckties, scarfs or is he or she showing an interest in owning such items?
- Listen to your teen's conversations and tune into words such as "passout", "space monkey", "funky chicken", "blackout",
"sleeper hold", "gasp", fainting game" to name a few slang terms for kids who choke each other to get high. - Does your teen invite friends into his bedroom and then shut the door for privacy?
- Do you keep any rope or extension cords around the house or in the garage? How about a dog collar, leash or bungee
cords? - Look for any of the above ligatures lying around and/or knotted on the floor or tied to furniture.
What to Do if Your Teen or Tween is Playing the Choking Game
Your teen's brain is still growing and won't be fully grown until he reaches age
25, respectively. Teens don't have the mental capacity to make reasonable,
sensible decisions as an older adult would. If you think your teen or child is
playing the choking game it's important to act immediately.
Look for clues as mentioned above, but if you don't find any and still suspect
something is amiss, then approach the young person about your concern. Tell
him (or her) that you're aware of the game. Tell him what harm can come to his
brain. Explain that the consequence is death if something goes wrong.
If your teen denies any involvement and/or continues to play the choking game,
then it's time to get professional help. Contact immediately your child's
pediatrician, school nurse or a guidance counselor for direction on what to do
next. Don't wait until it's too late to save your child's life.
Your teen's brain is still growing and won't be fully grown until he reaches age
25, respectively. Teens don't have the mental capacity to make reasonable,
sensible decisions as an older adult would. If you think your teen or child is
playing the choking game it's important to act immediately.
Look for clues as mentioned above, but if you don't find any and still suspect
something is amiss, then approach the young person about your concern. Tell
him (or her) that you're aware of the game. Tell him what harm can come to his
brain. Explain that the consequence is death if something goes wrong.
If your teen denies any involvement and/or continues to play the choking game,
then it's time to get professional help. Contact immediately your child's
pediatrician, school nurse or a guidance counselor for direction on what to do
next. Don't wait until it's too late to save your child's life.
Share Information about the Choking Game
How can someone spread the word and warn other parents about the choking game and other dangerous teen
behaviors? Share this and other articles with friends, neighbors, employers and employees. Share information with
your pastor or clergyman. Inform teachers, school administrators, health care providers and anyone who will listen.
Suggest the topic be discussed at school PTA/PTO meetings and other parents' groups. Educate teen program
leaders, including athletic directors and coaches.
Above all, don't wait for some other parent or person to make the first move; by then it could be too late. Stay on
top of what your kids are doing and who they hang out with. Make sure the parents of your child's friends know
about the choking game (among other dangerous teen trends) so that they can closely monitor what goes on in
their homes, too. Set ground rules in your own home, such as leaving the bedroom door open when friends visit.
Check on your teen frequently, no matter how perfect he or she is in your eyes. The effort you make could very
well prevent a tragedy in your own or someone else's family.
How can someone spread the word and warn other parents about the choking game and other dangerous teen
behaviors? Share this and other articles with friends, neighbors, employers and employees. Share information with
your pastor or clergyman. Inform teachers, school administrators, health care providers and anyone who will listen.
Suggest the topic be discussed at school PTA/PTO meetings and other parents' groups. Educate teen program
leaders, including athletic directors and coaches.
Above all, don't wait for some other parent or person to make the first move; by then it could be too late. Stay on
top of what your kids are doing and who they hang out with. Make sure the parents of your child's friends know
about the choking game (among other dangerous teen trends) so that they can closely monitor what goes on in
their homes, too. Set ground rules in your own home, such as leaving the bedroom door open when friends visit.
Check on your teen frequently, no matter how perfect he or she is in your eyes. The effort you make could very
well prevent a tragedy in your own or someone else's family.