'Typical' Profile:
Unlike other risk-taking behaviors,
self-choking often occurs among
well-adjusted, high achieving students looking
to have a sensational experience. 9 -16 is the
most common age and it is predominantly
male participants. Although younger and older
adolescents along with females are involved.
Unlike other risk-taking behaviors,
self-choking often occurs among
well-adjusted, high achieving students looking
to have a sensational experience. 9 -16 is the
most common age and it is predominantly
male participants. Although younger and older
adolescents along with females are involved.
Definition of the Choking Game
This activity is not a Game! It's a traditional activity passed on for generations through whispers
youth on playgrounds, at school, camp, and from friends. Youth who might participate range in age
from 7-21 and it is especially common in middle school aged children. The goal is a desired
'floaty', 'tingling', 'high' sensation. However, not all participants are seeking a 'high' , some
participate as a pass time, out of curiosity, or peer pressure.
The Choking Game is played in both in groups and by a lone child. The object of the 'game' is
asphyxiation, as in, to apply pressure to restrict oxygen and/or blood flow to the brain of the victim.
This is accomplished by neck constriction and/or chest compression sometimes including
hyperventilation. Diminishing oxygen to the brain produces a sensation. The 'high' are the cells of
the brain seizing and beginning the process of permanent cell death. When the victim is rendered
unconscious, the pressure is released and the secondary 'high' of the oxygen/blood rushing to the
brain is achieved. If the victim is alone - upon unconsciousness there is no one to release the
pressure and the victims own body weight continues to tighten the ligature usually resulting in
death.
This activity is not a Game! It's a traditional activity passed on for generations through whispers
youth on playgrounds, at school, camp, and from friends. Youth who might participate range in age
from 7-21 and it is especially common in middle school aged children. The goal is a desired
'floaty', 'tingling', 'high' sensation. However, not all participants are seeking a 'high' , some
participate as a pass time, out of curiosity, or peer pressure.
The Choking Game is played in both in groups and by a lone child. The object of the 'game' is
asphyxiation, as in, to apply pressure to restrict oxygen and/or blood flow to the brain of the victim.
This is accomplished by neck constriction and/or chest compression sometimes including
hyperventilation. Diminishing oxygen to the brain produces a sensation. The 'high' are the cells of
the brain seizing and beginning the process of permanent cell death. When the victim is rendered
unconscious, the pressure is released and the secondary 'high' of the oxygen/blood rushing to the
brain is achieved. If the victim is alone - upon unconsciousness there is no one to release the
pressure and the victims own body weight continues to tighten the ligature usually resulting in
death.
Prevention
- 5 minutes of Heaven
- 7 Minutes 'Til Heaven
- Airplaning
- America dream(ing)
- Black out
- Black Hole
- Breath Play
- California High
- Choke Out
- Chocking (Game)
- Cloud Nine
- Dream (Game)
- Elevator (Game)
- Fainting game
- Flatline game
- Flat liner (Game)
- Funky Chicken
- Gasp (ing) (Game)
- Hang (ing) Game
- Hangman (Game)
- Harvey Wall banger
- High riser (Game)
- Huff (ing) (Game)
- Hyperventilating
- Knock-Out (Game)
- Lions and Tigers
- Pass(ing) Out (Game)
- Purple Dragon
- Rising Sun
- Rush
- Sleeping Game
- Sleeper Hold
- Snuff (Game)
- Something dreaming
- Space cowboy
- Space monkey
- Speed Dreaming
- Suffocation (Game)
- Suffocation roulette
- Teen choking game
- Tingling game
- Twitching Game
Consequences
- Bruises/concussions
- Broken bones
- Seizures
- Brain Damage
- Retinal hemorrhaging
- Stroke
- DEATH
Intervention
Honestly and openly approach the child.
Ask -what do you know about the Choking Game (pass out game) 'game'?
Be prepared: Many parents are shocked at the answer.
Explain the dangers to them - they are injuring their brain every time. They risk stroke, seizures and
cardiac arrest every time - even when they are doing it in a group!
Honestly and openly approach the child.
Ask -what do you know about the Choking Game (pass out game) 'game'?
Be prepared: Many parents are shocked at the answer.
Explain the dangers to them - they are injuring their brain every time. They risk stroke, seizures and
cardiac arrest every time - even when they are doing it in a group!
- Increase supervision- be aware of your child’s activities and whereabouts even to the point of
making an 'open door' rule. Your child's safety is more valuable than their privacy. - Remove any paraphernalia that could be used as a ligature (belts, scarves, cords, even closet
rods if you must) - Alert school personnel (sample letter) If one student is involved, there are others
- Alert the parents of your children’s friends.
- Consult with a physician to address any health needs that have resulted
- If an older teen is involved, younger children in the same family may be at risk for participating
in this activity
What's the Attraction?
~ A brief sense of euphoria
~ An altered state of consciousness
~ Peer Pressure of a dare or game of chicken
~ Enhanced erotic feelings
~ Entertainment peers lose consciouness/
behave erratically
~ A brief sense of euphoria
~ An altered state of consciousness
~ Peer Pressure of a dare or game of chicken
~ Enhanced erotic feelings
~ Entertainment peers lose consciouness/
behave erratically
Similar Experiences
- Hanging upside down
- Pressing arms against
immovable barriers - Holding your breath
- Breathing rapidly
- Hang gliding
- Parachuting
- The rush of doing something
on the edge
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Where do kids learn it?
- Friends / Neighbors
- Siblings
- THE INTERNET
- At School
- Playgrounds
Is this AeA?
AeA involves a sexual aspect;
self choking does not.
AeA involves a sexual aspect;
self choking does not.
| Posted 01/01/06 | Updated 07/01/08 |
| " The Choking Game " Advocating Education of the Dangers Choking Game.net |
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| COPYRIGHT The DB Foundation 2005-2009 All Rights Reserved The DB Foundation LLC .A Non Profit Educational Foundation 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization Status Pending Note: Information on this website is not intended to take the place of medical advice. |
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- Signs in the Youth may include:
- Frequent often severe headaches
- Inexplicable bruising or red linear
marks around the neck
- Bloodshot eyes and/or Petechiae (tiny
red dots) on face.
- Changes in attitude (overly aggressive )
- Disorientation and/or grogginess after
being alone
- Unusual demands for privacy
- Curiosity about asphyxiation (i.e "how's
it feel", "what happens if")
| Warning Signs* of the Choking Game |
- Signs in the home may include:
- Locked or blocked bedroom/bathroom
doors
- Ligatures (bed sheets, belts, tee-
shirts, ties, ropes) tied in strange knots
and/or found in unusual places
- Internet history of websites(YouTube.
com, MySpace.com) or chat rooms
mentioning asphyxiation or Choking
Game
- Wear marks on furniture (ex: bunk
beds, closet rods)
*these signs may or may not be present
Slang Terms
Prevention of the Choking Game begins with raising awareness among communities, parents, law
enforcement, health professionals and children of how deadly this 'game' is. Awareness will naturally
increase education. Every adult has a responsibility, once they are aware, to act in the best interest of
children. We have a very effective on-going Awareness Campaign an accessible tool for everyone to
utilize.
Prevention within your own family begins with an honest discussion about the consequences of
participating in The Choking Game. Remember - 75% of Middle School aged children already know
about it - chances are you are not telling them something they have not already been exposed to by their
peers. The problem lies in what their peers have failed to mention- the dangers. Please also be aware
that children as young as Kindergarten have been reportedly "choked out" emulating an episode or
conversation displayed by an older sibling or neighbor.
Be candid - be honest and be real! Show them the pictures of children who are no longer in this word
with their families. Share the "Life After" stories of children with permanent disabilities after playing and
the words of parents now forever grieving the loss of their child. Stress to your child that end result of the
child participating was preventable.
enforcement, health professionals and children of how deadly this 'game' is. Awareness will naturally
increase education. Every adult has a responsibility, once they are aware, to act in the best interest of
children. We have a very effective on-going Awareness Campaign an accessible tool for everyone to
utilize.
Prevention within your own family begins with an honest discussion about the consequences of
participating in The Choking Game. Remember - 75% of Middle School aged children already know
about it - chances are you are not telling them something they have not already been exposed to by their
peers. The problem lies in what their peers have failed to mention- the dangers. Please also be aware
that children as young as Kindergarten have been reportedly "choked out" emulating an episode or
conversation displayed by an older sibling or neighbor.
Be candid - be honest and be real! Show them the pictures of children who are no longer in this word
with their families. Share the "Life After" stories of children with permanent disabilities after playing and
the words of parents now forever grieving the loss of their child. Stress to your child that end result of the
child participating was preventable.