Menstuff® has information on the chocking game kids a playing called Space Monkey. (Also known as Airplaning, American Dream, Blackout, California High, Chocking Game, Dream Game, Fainting Game, Flatliner, Funky Chicken, Gasp, Passout, Roulette, Suffocation, Tingling.) Read those names again. Is it really a game? Many smart kids think the Choking Game is a safe game versus drugs or alcohol. It's not a game at all. It's estimated that from 250 to 1,000 kids between 9 and 16 die annually. It's actually just an act of hurting your brain on purpose for a few seconds of feeling lightheaded.
What is the chocking game?
Who's playing it?
Why are they doing it?
Why are so many dying?
What can I do to help stop
this?
What are the warning signs?
If I know someone is doing this, what can I
do?
It’s not a game at all—just an
act of suffocating on purpose
Contact: GASP, W321 N7669 Silverspring Lane, Hartland,
WI 53029
It’s not a game at all—just an act of suffocating on purpose.
Adolescents cut off the flow of blood to the brain, in exchange for a few seconds of feeling lightheaded. Some strangle themselves with a belt, a rope or their bare hands; others push on their chest or hyperventilate.
When they release the pressure, blood that was blocked up floods the brain all at once. This sets off a warm and fuzzy feeling, which is just the brain dying, thousands of cells at a time.
Mostly boys and girls between 9-16 years old, nationwide and around the world. These adolescents are generally high-achieving in academics, activities and sports, and don’t want to risk getting caught with drugs or alcohol. The practice is taught through word of mouth and through the internet.
By one name or another, the Choking Game has been going on for well over 20 years. But the most recent use of bonds (ropes, belts) and the growing practice of playing alone have increased its deadliness dramatically.
It’s estimated as many as 250 to 1,000 young people die in the United States each year playing some variant of the Choking Game, but it’s difficult to track statistics because many of the cases are reported as suicides. Boys represent 89% of the reported accidental asphyxiation and most were alone and 67% suicide by asphyxiation. The report did not include deaths that involved autoerotic asphyxiation or self-strangulation during masturbation.
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Some do it for the high, which can become addictive. Others do it because it's “cool” and risky. Most kids who have died from this were active, intelligent, stable children who thought this was a safe alternative to drugs and alcohol. Most children have no concept of their own mortality—they truly believe nothing can hurt them.
The plan is to release pressure at just the right time before passing out. If they pass out first, the weight of their body pulls on the ropes and they can die. There’s also the chance of seizures, stroke, or injuries from a fall.
Playing the game in any form causes the permanent death of a large number of brain cells. Within 3 minutes without oxygen to the brain, a person will suffer noticeable brain damage. Between 4 and 5 minutes, a person will die. Some of those kids who died were alone for as little as 15 minutes before someone found them, and it was already too late.
Also, the rush they’re getting can be addictive. Many times the Choking Game starts off as a social activity, but adolescents end up doing it alone, which is even more dangerous—nobody’s around to help them if they pass out.
What can I do to help stop this?
Talk to the children in your life, as well as parents and everyone you know who works with children. Make sure they understand why the Choking Game is so dangerous: even if they survive, they’re permanently killing thousands of brain cells, and other children may be indicted and prosecuted for their involvement in a death or injury.
If I know someone is doing this, what can I do?
Be proactive and warn them about this activity—they often
don't know it can kill them or leave them brain damaged. Supervise
him or her very closely, and check that siblings are not involved.
Dispose of items that could be used for this purpose. Alert school
officials so they can monitor the situation; often other students may
also be participating. Consider alerting the adolescent’s
friends’ parents as well. If you feel strongly that your child
may be doing this, seek professional counseling and support for your
child and your family.
Source: Sharron Grant, Public Relations
for GASP, W321 N7669 Silverspring Lane, Hartland, WI 53029,
eMail
or gaspinfo.com
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