THE CHOKING GAME

 

I read a newspaper article, today, about how almost a third of U.S. doctors have never heard of the “choking game.” For those reading this who may not know, the “choking game” is a dangerous activity that older children and early adolescents play to get a brief high. They either choke each other, or use a noose to choke themselves. This game is also known by many other names, such as:

  • The blackout game
  • Passout game
  • Scarf game
  • Space monkey
  • Fainting game
  • Flatliner
  • Airplaner
  • Cloud nine

According to the Web site for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ChokingGame), after just a short time, children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death from hanging or strangulation. Horrifying.

The CDC lists some warning signs that a child is playing 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 or 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.
  • Pinpoint bleeding spots under the skin of the face, especially the eyelids or conjunctiva.
The site also states that boys are more likely than girls to die while playing this game and that deaths occur all over the U.S. This game is not limited to one area of the country. There is no research available on the best strategies to prevent children from playing the choking game. However parents, educators, and health-care providers should be made aware of this issue and the warning signs that go with it.

The previously-mentioned newspaper article suggests that this game could be much more prevalent than those in the medical profession know. A scary thought. That means many casualties of the game could have been mistakenly attributed to suicide or unintentional choking.

Is your child playing the choking game?


 
Content © Copyright 2018 Deborah M. Piccurelli
Deborah Piccurelli is an author and deborah piccurelli is a writer of Christian Suspence and Christian Fiction. Deborah Piccurelli writes suspence for Christians who want to read wholesome suspense and thriller writing. Deborah Piccurelli has written and authored in the midst of deceit a suspense novel. In the midst of deceit is a book that deborah m piccurelli has published, but deborah m piccurelli is writing other suspence works as well. Deborah Piccurelli writes thriller novels and has published In the Midst of Deceit. For more information about Deborah M Piccurelli you can visit her site deborahmpiccurelli.com Also, her tag line is Uncovering the Unthinkable. The phrase Uncovering the Unthinkable represents what Debbie Piccurelli writes in the books that she authors, expecially in the suspense novels.