Posted by admin on May 5th, 2009 in Health, Hot Topics, Middle School Boys

I  saw an interview with a family who lost their son to this deadly “fad” called the Choking Game (experts call “suffocation roulette” )  It sometimes is called “the good kids’ game,” because it’s a way for kids who never drink or do drugs to get high.  I’ve seen enough -  it’s time to write about it.

Teen’s Brains Don’t Do “Long-Term” Well…

One thing that struck me about the family interviewed on the Today Show a few week’s ago, was that the father said he had actually had a conversation with his son about the game and advised him not to play it.  The son had promised his Dad he would not.  This speaks to the power of the Teen Brain in action.  It is so hard for teens to think “this can happen to me”.  Their brains are not wired to help them think about consequences.

Ken and Kathy Tork said  their son Kevin was a good kid — a bright and generous 15-year-old who seemed to have everything going for him. But the boy played  the “choking game”and  lost.  Kevin was discovered unconscious in his room by his 11-year-old sister.

At least 82 children have died in recent years as a result of playing the  game, a bizarre but increasingly common practice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Most of the deaths were among boys ages 11 to 16, and the average age was 13, the report said.   Choking game deaths were identified in 31 states. “Because most parents in the study had not heard of the choking game, we hope to raise awareness of the choking game among parents, health care providers, and educators, so they can recognize warning signs of the activity,” said Robin L. Toblin, the study’s lead author. “This is especially important because children themselves may not appreciate the dangers of this activity.”

How Do They “Play”?

The game can be played in a variety of ways, but the goal is to deprive the brain of oxygen long enough to create a feeling of euphoria before passing out.  Children may use their hands to squeeze the necks of friends, or they may use computer cord, scarves or ropes.  In another version, kids bend down and try to induce hyperventilation by taking deep breaths followed by a “bear hug” from a friend.

Other Names It’s Called

Parents should listen for names like Blackout, Flatliner, Fainting Game, California Choke, Dream Game, Airplaning, Suffocation Roulette, Space Cowboy and the Pass-Out Game.

Signs that a child may be engaging in the choking game include bloodshot eyes; marks on the neck; severe headaches; disorientation after spending time alone; ropes, scarves and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor; or the unexplained presence of things like dog leashes, choke collars and bungee cords.

Here are some resources to learn more:

http://www.stop-the-choking-game.com/en/home.html

http://chokinggame.net/