Advertisement
In fact, when we think about it, it is somewhat of a wonder that our kids have survived as long as they have, given their eating habits. So when they get past the choking phase, many of us feel a sense of relief, even as they head to an all-you-can-eat buffet. But there is another choking hazard that extends beyond the toddler phase that is just as deadly, and has nothing to do with food.
The Choking Game, as it is often called, is a scary game played by kids in an effort to feel a rush almost like that of using drugs. Also known as the “fainting game,” the “blackout game,” “space monkey,” “suffocation roulette,” “pass out” and “ghost,” it is a dangerous game where kids choke each other with their hands or by tying something around their neck and then to another object to cut oxygen flow to the brain, hoping to elicit a euphoric state, or high. What many kids do not realize is that this “game” can be deadly. What many parents do not realize is how many kids are doing it.
According to the CDC, there have been at least 82 confirmed deaths among U.S. kids since 1995. The true number is likely higher, because some deaths labeled as suicides could actually have been due to the choking game. Of the reported deaths, 87 percent were males, with the average being 13 years old (www.webMD.com). Almost none of the parents knew anything about the choking game prior to their child’s death. The game is played mostly by kids between the ages of 9 and 14.
The choking game is sometimes played at sleepovers and parties. A concerning number of kids, though, are playing by themselves. Kids have been found using anything laying around their house as a noose, including bed sheets, leashes, ropes, belts or ties. In cases where kids play alone, the risk for death or permanent brain damage may be higher because there is no one to loosen or untie the noose after the child loses consciousness.
It is scary to think that kids are turning to choking each other for fun these days. What happened to playing a game of Life to get some kicks? I would even take TP’ing a house over kids strangling each other. The type of kids playing the game is also scary. The typical kids involved are just typical kids. They aren’t necessarily the stereotypical troubled, rebellious kids. Smart, involved, happy kids also are playing. Some may feel the choking game is a safe way to get a rush because it does not involve pills, drinks or anything illegal, even though it is just as deadly.
So with no unusual paraphernalia to tip parents off, how do we know if our children are playing the game, and how do we prevent them from starting?
Clues that your child may be participating in the choking game include a raspy voice, bloodshot eyes, complaints of frequent headaches, marks on the neck, spending increased time alone or leaving more belts, scarves or sheets lying on his floor than usual. Also, parents should be suspicious if they notice their child has visited Web sites that include the words “space monkey,” “knockout,” “gasp,” “airplaning,” “dreamer” or “flat-liner.” Some kids also watch videos of other kids playing the game on YouTube.
It is important for parents to talk with their kids about the true reality of dangers that can result from participating in risky behaviors. At the same time, parents must use discretion when discussing these activities so as not to introduce the idea to an overly curious child.
As always, though, staying informed of current risks and knowing what to look for will help prevent our kids’ lives from ending up in the wrong hands. For more information, visit www.deadlygameschildrenplay.com.
Ann-Marie Berg is a pediatric nurse practitioner and freelance writer whose work appears in other newspapers. She can be reached at amhberg@mchsi.com.
