'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.
Definition of the Choking Game

This activity is not a Game!  It's a traditional activity passed on for generations through whispers of typically 9-14 year
old children on playgrounds, at school, camp, and from friends. The Choking Game is played in both in groups and by
a single 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 therefore creating a desired 'floaty', 'tingling', 'high' sensation.  The 'high' are the cells of the brain
seizing and beginning the process of permanent cell death.  When the victim becomes 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.
Wikipedia
On-Line
Encyclopedia
Definition of the
Choking Game

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")

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 or chat rooms mentioning
    asphyxiation or Choking Game

  • Wear marks on furniture (ex: bunk beds, closet rods)
Warning Signs of the Choking Game
*some or none of these signs may be present
What is the best prevention?

Talk about the dangers - They know about the game!

Adolescents feel it's 'just passing out'.   It's free, accessible and not a drug or illegal making the temptation for a
quick thrill tempting.
Tell them that EVERY time they are risking DEATH -either their brain cells or themselves.
Common slang names
  • 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)
  • Hyperventilating
  • Knock-Out (Game)
  • Lions and Tigers
  • Pass(ing) -Out
  • Purple Dragon
  • Natural high

  • 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
What are the results?

  • Bruises/concussions
  • Broken bones
  • Seizures
  • Brain Damage
  • Retinal hemorrhaging
  • Stroke
  • DEATH
IF a YOUTH IS  participating
  • Increase supervision- be aware of your child’s activities and whereabouts
  • Remove any paraphernalia that could be used as a ligature.
  • Alert school personnel. If one student is involved, there are probably 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
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
Slang names, Warning Signs, Who is doing this?
FOR kids BY kids, what do they have to say about it?
Contains Choking Game victims vital information
Are kids in your area playing? Interactive Map of US Choking Game victims
Stats and current numbers happening
Medical reports and Health Dept releases
Families share with you thier child, a victim if the Choking Game, in hopes of bringing to life the reality of the danger!
Get Awareness Tools to shed light on the dangers of the Choking Game in your community
Add your signature to the thousands requiring DARE and Risk Prevention Program to teach the dangers of the Choking Game
Great for handing out to educate!!
There's a survey for everyone - please give your opinion!
Calendar of Seminars and Choking Game awareness events
Contact a Speaker or Advocate in your area!
NEW DVD -
Prevention tips, Interventino help
Families suffering a loss- we can help!
Other dangerous behavior parents need to know about.
Written by families thenselves after The Choking Game entered thier lives.
Where do kids learn it?

  • Friends / Neighbors
  • Siblings
  • THE INTERNET
  • At School
  • Playgrounds
Is this AeA?
(Auto Erotic Asphyxiation)

AeA involves a sexual
aspect; self choking does
not.
Posted 01/01/06 | Updated 07/01/08
" The Choking Game "
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