There has been some attention given to a new dangerous game called The Choking Game or The Passing Out Game. This is played by young teenagers. They use their hands, a belt, rope, choke each other, or whatever else they can use to choke themselves to the point of passing out. Kids that have done it claim it is like a high you get from drugs. But sorry to state the obvious, this is not safe at all. There have been deaths because they took it too far. Basically when you do this you cut off the brain's oxygen supply. Without oxygen the brain slowly dies. Eventually permanent brain damage occurs-death.
I personally do not understand it, but if it is like a drug then of course kids will try it. They probably think that it is not harmful because they are not doing drugs or drinking alcohol. The warning signs are usually strange marks around the neck, bloodshot eyes, complaints of bad headaches. So for anyone who knows young teens with these signs, you might want to check it out. Thinking they choke themselves may sound silly, but it could save their lives. Here is the link to an article about a boy who died playing the choking game. http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/09/choking.game/index.html
If any of you know someone who has done it or something feel free to share.
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This game isn't new. I'm 22 and I remember the "passing out" game when I was a seventh grader, which is probably a decade or so ago. I was always scared to do it but witnessed a bunch of close friends try it out, some more than others. I must admit it was funny, but looking back, pretty stupid - being how dangerous it was.
I think that it would be hard for the concerned to find signs. What I remember is that a person would bend down and breathe hard and fast and stand up quickly, holding their breathe as someone else pushed against their chest until they passed out. I guess the game evolved into using belts and ropes... scary.
BWAHAHAHAHA
Darwin would rejoice.
Sorry, since media is just getting a hold of the story it seems as if it is new. It does seem to have gotten more dangerous over the years. It just does not make sense to me. Choking is a way that some people kill their victims. Why would you think that a game like this would be safe?
Well I guess it can be a good thing that the media is talking about it; kids and parents will learn about the dangerous side of it, then again, kids that never heard of it might be curious to try it out.
this is scary. I never knew anything about this until I started seeing the news storys. what to do? what to do?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/pmccorkle
Ok I am 30....I know I am older than dirt, I was about thirteen when I participated in the choking game. Back then...when dinosaurs roamed the earth... it wasn't named it was just a crazy thing kids did at a slumber party. All I can say is I wished I had back all the brain cells I killed off.
It's hard to say what to do. First of all, it is good that media is covering it and making more people aware of it. The truth is, parents can tell their kids that it is dangerous, but they cannot stop them from doing it; just like they cannot stop them from going out and drinking. But continually making people aware of this "game" and letting the children know all the dangers of it is very important. Also having the news show families of those who died or were seriously injured while playing the choking game could have a positive impact.
I wonder why it has gained popularity these days.
This game is similar to ones my friends played when we were younger... we're 22 now, and I remember going to a boy-girl party when i was in 6th grade... the girls had this game where they would bend over and put their hands to their knees. They would take short, deep breaths until they felt really light headed. At this point, a friend would squeeze pressure points on their necks until their eyes rolled back and they literally passed out. Guess kids are getting more creative... it's so dangerous. I never got past the breathing part myself... it didn't seem healthy. I can't imagine my younger family members doing this at all... let alone using ropes & belts!
This is amazing to me how long it has actually been around. I was never exposed to anything like this. At our little parties we played truth or dare and other little stupid games. Kids are definitely bold these days.
I remember being in 9th grade and in math class when a boy did that. I don't think I ever would because it scared me. What if something went wrong??
I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him. ~Booker T. Washington