A Game Kids Shouldn't Play

No matter how cute the name “the choking game” may sound, it is still a deadly game. This game is worse than Russian Roulette. Russian Roulette you can “win” at. The choking game reduces the amount of oxygenated blood to the brain. The subject passes out, thousands upon thousands of brain cells die, which never are rejuvenated. The result is some form of long term brain damage, even a vegetative state or death. The extent of brain damage may not be known for many years.

When the subject passes out, it is due to the loss of oxygen to the brain. The brain twitches, or has a seizure as oxygen and blood are allowed to flow freely again. The “high” that is felt just prior to passing out is addictive. The first few times, subjects play this deadly game in the presence of others, then later in the privacy of their own bedrooms. Many participants practicing this game alone use belts or other devices around their necks to stop this flow of oxygenated blood to their brain. As the person passes out, no one is present to help them from sufficating. Some suffer death from strangulation and more often than not, coroners are ruling their deaths as suicides, not accidental. More than 150 boys and girls died last year as a result of “the choking game”. How many more children suffered the same end result but were ruled suicides? The numbers could be much higher.

Have you hear about the choking game? The fact that you have is a problem in itself. The fact that you haven’t is a problem because it “is” occurring right in your community. Boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 16 are playing it. There is no way to play it safely. Children need to be told Telling does NOT equal Tattling when you are helping someone. Mistakes are poor choices you learn from. Children feel that their mistakes can be fixed by mom or dad. Playing this deadly game mom and dad can not fix the end results! Kids are dying because they lack information. More girls than boys play the game. The difference between suicide and death by the choking game is “intent”. Law enforcement when investigating a death such as this needs to consider; is there evidence of depression, is the weight of the individual fully off the ground, is there intent? In the past many deaths were ruled falsely as suicide. Check You Tube by typing “choking game” for video footage. Another You Tube video is found under “thought you died”. Do not use videos to educate children that depict life threatening choices.

Some people will ask; if you talk about the choking game with kids are we planting a seed that will lead to them trying it? The seed is already planted, by friends knowing about the activity, the internet and by You Tube. The Choking Game is not new, there is evidence dating back to the Egyptians and the Pyramids that it was practiced. Parents need to be aware; this awareness empowers them to become educated thus keeping their children safer. For additional information go to GASP.

The Choking Game fact sheet in .pdf format. Click on this link to see a video footage from GASP, Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play.