Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Choking Game:
The choking game is a dangerous activity that older children and early adolescents sometimes play to get a brief high. They either choke each other or use a noose to choke themselves. After just a short time, children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death from hanging or strangulation.
Boys were much more likely to die from the choking game than girls; 87% of victims were boys. Here are some signs that can indicate a child has been involved in the choking game:
• Discussion of the game or its aliases
• Bloodshot eyes
• Marks on the neck
• Wearing high-necked shirts, even in warm weather
• Frequent, severe headaches
• Disorientation after spending time alone
• Increased and uncharacteristic irritability or hostility
• Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor
• The unexplained presence of dog leashes, choke collars, bungee cords, etc.
• Petechiae (pinpoint bleeding spots) under the skin of the face, especially the eyelids, or the conjunctiva (the lining of the eyelids and eyes)
What are some of the other names used for the choking game?
• Pass-out game • Space monkey• Suffocation roulette Scarf game• The American dream
• Fainting game • Something dreaming game • Purple hazing Blacking out/blackout
• Dream game• Flat liner• California choke • Space cowboy• Airplaning • Purple
dragon• Cloud nine
For more info contact:
Unintentional Strangulation Deaths Among Children and Adolescents: The "Choking Game" – United States, 1995-2007The Choking Game Can Be Deadly ( 4 minutes 48 seconds) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control