The Choking Game
So there I am getting out of my car after another day at M/A/R/C Research. After a quick trip to the bottom of the driveway to get the mail, I enter the house to find the kids and Trish. And of course the kids jump on me with excitement. Most likely I toss the mail down and go with them into the playroom where they have been playing Wii, watching TV and pretty much making a mess of the house. It’s what they do and they are very good at it.
A few minutes go by and I see a letter from my son’s school. I notice the letter is from the principal which usually can’t be a great thing. The principal wants to make parents aware of a game that is sometimes played in schools called "The Choking Game." I think I recall hearing about it but didn’t know much about it. The next day I am reading the local newspaper and read the headline "Youth Choking a Deadly High." As I read the article, it is pretty much describing what the principal’s letter said the prior day.
The article states that people who participate in The Choking Game cut off blood circulation to the brain. They do this by self-induced choking, hanging themselves or having their friends push on their chest. What happens next is when the pressure is released, blood rushes to the brain which in turn can cause a high for the person. This in turn can be something that kids get very addicted to. I did a little research (thanks Google) and apparently this game (to my ignorance) has been around for a while and a number of kids have died across the country.
- Have you heard of this before today?
- Did you also receive a letter from your kid’s principal?
- As a parent, I am very concerned. Any signs we should look for with regard to our kids?
I TRULY HOPE THIS POSTING HELPS AND EDUCATES ONE READER. IF SO THAT WILL REALLY, REALLY MAKE MY DAY
I look forward to your comments being shared.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Merrill,
I had a friend in Elementary/Junior High that would do this in class. As kids, I guess we thought it was funny to see someone choke and pass out. He would regain consciousness a few seconds later and have no idea what happened. We didn’t really consider it a ‘game’, we just thought he was crazy.
He turned out ok i guess, after 2 tours in Iraq he is now working over there as a private contractor (STILL CRAZY!). But I am proud of my idiot friend.
-Bryan
May 5th, 2008 at 11:00 am
This has definitley been around awhile. Actually tried this as a kid in the early 70’s. Lucky for me either it didn’t work on me or we didn’t know what we were doing…though I do recall some kids passing out. Not sure there’s any danger signs you can look for in your kids when it comes to stupid stuff like this. The approach I’ve always taken with my son is just to expose him to this and reinforce what a stupid thing it is to do. About the best you can probably do for something like this where they are probably not going to come home with glazed eyes or the munchies after a round of “choking”.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Simulated choking & hanging have been around for ages. If you continue with your “homework” you will find that in past centuries this practice was common among the upper class in Europe and of course had a sexual component.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Ed,
I never knew or ever heard that there was a sexual aspect of it. You are right I think i need to do more homework - thanks for your comments.
Merrill
May 5th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
My son died from this when he was 14 yrs old. Go to http://www.gaspinfo.com or http://www.thedbfoundation.com for more information. Don’t think it can not happen to your child, most parents are clueless until they find their child dead. Educate your children and yourself. Don’t let your child die. ~Dianna
May 6th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Dianna,
I am so sorry to hear about your son. I really appreciate your comments highlighting websites for our blog readers. I am sure they will find them very appropriate to the subject and educate them a great deal.
Thanks again.
Merrill