'Choking game' has killed at least 82 kids in U.S.

[Leo 9]

'Choking game' has killed at least 82 kids in U.S.
Updated Thu. Feb. 14 2008 8:07 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff



At least 82 kids and teens in the U.S. have died over the past 12 years after playing what has been called "the choking game," according to a study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kids playing the game try to choke themselves or a friend in an attempt to achieve a brief "high" by cutting off the supply of oxygen to their brain. But the game can lead to death or serious injury, such as brain damage.

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Signs that a child may be engaging in the "choking game" include:

discussion of the game --including other terms used for it, such as "pass-out game'' or "space monkey";
bloodshot eyes;
marks on the neck;
severe headaches;
disorientation after spending time alone;
ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor;
unexplained presence of things like dog leashes, choke collars and bungee cords

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http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080214/choking_game_080214/20080214?hub=CTVNewsAt11

[Connonym]

1. My daughter's friend was doing this a couple years ago

I think it must have been about 2 or 3 years ago when they just started middle school. I would drive her to school and saw bruises on her neck. My first concern was that she was being abused but it came out that she was doing the choking thing. I hadn't even really heard of it before then. I had heard of sexual auto-asphyxiation but never would have expected something like that in a really very sweet 11 year old girl. Goes to show that you really can never assume a kid is too young to talk to them about stuff. Thankfully she started therapy and she doesn't do that any more. Scary.

[sasquatch]

2. Good thing she stopped she wouldn't want to end up like that preacher in Montgomery, Alabama

http://server2.whiterosesociety.org/content/kincaid/KincaidShow-(10-10-2006).mp3