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The Choking Game

The Choking Game. Jennifer Carter. What Is The Choking Game?. It’s NOT actually a game at all; it’s an act of suffocation on purpose

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The Choking Game

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  1. The Choking Game Jennifer Carter

  2. What Is The Choking Game? • It’s NOT actually a game at all; it’s an act of suffocation on purpose • Adolescents cut off the flow of blood to the brain, in exchange for a few seconds of feeling lightheaded. Some strangle themselves with a belt, a rope or their bare hands; others push on their chest or hyperventilate. • When they release the pressure, blood that was blocked up floods the brain all at once. This sets off a warm and fuzzy feeling, which is just the brain dying, thousands of cells at a time. Gasp, 2008

  3. Blackout Fainting Game Space Monkey Dream Game Suffocation Roulette Funky Chicken Gasp Tap-out Pass-out Flat-liner California High Airplaning Space Money American Dream Tingling Hangman You May Have Heard It Called… Gasp, 2008

  4. Not to be Confused by… • Autoerotic Asphyxia, which is a sexual practice where the individual strangles themselves while masturbating • Generally, autoerotic asphyxia is engaged in by older adolescents and adults, whereas the choking game is engaged in by preteens and younger adolescents • The choking game is generally asexual • Both however can be fatal, especially when participants engage in these practices alone Cash, 2007

  5. Who Plays The Choking Game? • Both boys & girls • Usually between the ages of 9-16 • Research has found it happens in nearly all countries • Oftentimes, it’s students who are high achieving in academics, activities, and sports, and don’t want to get caught using drugs and/or alcohol Gasp, 2008

  6. Statistics By The Year • 2010: 18 incidents in the U.S., 8 of which recovered (so far…) • 2009: 46 incidents in the U.S., 18 of which recovered • 2008: 83 incidents in the U.S., 5 of which recovered • 2007: 105 incidents in the U.S., 11 of which recovered • Consistently, the U.S. has had the highest statistics on incidents of the choking game, with England and France often being second; however, other influences (i.e. being misreported as a suicide) may have influenced these reports. • It’s estimated that as many as 250-1,000 adolescents die as a result of some form of the choking game/year. Gasp, 2008

  7. Why Do Adolescents Participate? • For the “high,” which can be addictive • It may be considered cool or risky • They think it’s safe - “It’s just like fainting” • It’s “legal” compared to high’s from drugs/alcohol • They don’t think they’ll get in trouble if they get caught • They underestimate their own mortality • Peer pressure • Other ideas? The DB Foundation, 2010

  8. Why Do So Many Adolescents Die? • Adolescents who engage in this activity do so with the plan of releasing the pressure just before passing out. Many pass out before realizing it, which could result in death if no one is around to relieve the pressure. • Oftentimes, adolescents begin doing this as a social activity; however, as some teens become addicted to the high, they begin to do this alone, making it even more dangerous, and even more likely it will be lethal. Gasp, 2008

  9. Short-term memory loss Hemorrhage Harm to the retina Concussions or other injuries from falling Stroke Seizures Permanent brain damage Coma Participating in this activity always results in the permanent loss of a large number of brain cells because of loss of oxygen. By 3 minutes, an individual will suffer noticeable brain damage. Between 4-5 minutes, an individual will die. Many adolescents who die were only alone for less than 15 minutes. What Other Physical Consequences Can Occur? Cash, 2007

  10. What Are The Warning Signs • Any suspicious mark on the side of the neck, sometimes hidden by a turtleneck, scarf or permanently turned-up collar. • Changes in personality, such as overtly aggressive or agitated. • Any kind of strap, rope or belt lying around near the child for no clear reason and attempts to elude questions about such objects. • Headaches (sometimes excruciatingly bad ones), loss of concentration, flushed face. • Bloodshot eyes or any other noticeable signs of eye stress. • A thud in the bedroom or against a wall meaning a fall in cases of solitary practice. • Any questions about the effects, sensations or dangers of strangulation. Gasp, 2008

  11. What Can A Counselor Do? • Educate students on the risks of participating in this activity. • Teach students assertiveness techniques and other ways they can resist peer pressure. • Encourage students to let a responsible adult know if they are aware of another student who participates in this activity. Let them know of the legal implications of being with someone who dies as a result of doing this activity.

  12. What Can A Counselor Do? • Educate parents on what the choking game is, the risks of their children engaging in it, the warning signs, and ways they can talk to their children about the topic. • Educate faculty on warning signs. • Other ideas???

  13. Video • http://www.gaspinfo.com/en/flash_vid.html

  14. Educational Resources • www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/Choking/choking_game.html • http://chokinggame.net/ • www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/The%20Choking%20Game-NASSP%20Nov%2007.pdf • www.gaspinfo.com

  15. Presentation Resources Cash, R. E. (2007). A Dangerous Game. Retrieved from: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/The%20Choking%20Game-NASSP%20Nov%2007.pdf GASP. (2008). FAQs on the Choking Game. Retrieved from: http://www.gaspinfo.com/en/choking.html The DB Foundation. (2010). The Choking Game. Retrieved from: http://chokinggame.net/

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