Whether you call it the Five Second Game, Airplaning, California Dreaming, Flatlining, the Funky Chicken, Space Monkey, Knockout or High Riser (click here for more nicknames)….the Choking Game is some seriously sick and twisted shit. It is the inducement of unconsciousness or near unconsciousness by restricting the supply of oxygen. There are only two ways to achieve this:
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Strangulation-Restricts the blood flow to the brain by compressing the cartoid artery in the neck.
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Self-induced Hypocapnia-No compression, but requires hyperventilation until tingling, light-headedness and/or dizziness are felt, then followed by a breath-hold.
(For a much more detailed explaination check out Wikipedia’s article.)
Long used by some adult males in an attempt to enhance sexual euphoria, the Choking Game has made its way into schools and homes across the country. While some teen females participate, it is mainly the domain of the juvenile male. They may strangle themselves or a "friend" may apply the pressure.
What’s the appeal? Well, it can induce a brief sense of euphoria, it’s reported to enhance erotic feelings, those who lose consciousness report a dream-like state or hallucinations, it’s funny to watch someone lose consciousness, it’s free, it’s legal and it appears harmless to those without a proper understanding of what’s really going on. It’s far from harmless, though. The practice causes many deaths and invalidities every year and brain injuries may not show up right away.
You can find a ton of information and sign up for a newsletter at the Teen Choking Game Newsletter site.
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Today’s public service announcement is brought to you courtesy of the kids on my bus.
In other words, I had to deal with this on my bus this morning. Thank goodness I’d heard of it before and was aware of what was going on. I talked to the kids but I can’t say that it did any good. Rather than seeming concerned about the dangers, they just kept laughing and repeating how watching the kid twitch (they do that) was the "funniest thing ever." I am going to talk with my boss this afternoon to see how to handle it from here. Sitting on it goes against everything this mother and former youth director stands for, but I have to follow company and school district policy…whatever it is.
Mom, Dad….be aware. You just never know.
UPDATE: After speaking to my supervisor and explaining to her what the Choking Game is, we decided to pull the video tape from my bus to see what got recorded this week (it’s a continuous loop so we don’t know) and I wrote the whole incident up and gave not only the names of the two boys directly involved, but also all those sitting nearby and egging them on. Probably the two will be called into the office to be dealt with. As for the others, the likely scenerio is that the principal will come on my bus to speak to all of them at one time. I’ll let you know.
The scariest thing is the kids have gotten so jaded to this deadly game that they are actually doing on the bus, in front of an adult! You’re doing the right thing by telling administration, that’s so dangerous.
Comment by kat campbell — September 21, 2006 @ 5:35 pm
Scary. And here I thought you were talkin about the five second rule. You know, eating stuff you dropped on the floor if it’s been there less than five seconds ( because apparently the g erms can’t jump on that quickly) I am all for the five second rule
Comment by Meredith — September 21, 2006 @ 8:54 pm
What the hell are these kids thinking!!! So not only do you have to concentrate on driving you also have to make sure kids are not passing out in the back of the bus from self-induced strangulation.
I think this calls for a raise!!!
Comment by Sarah Forhan — September 22, 2006 @ 7:59 am
You did well. I know some bus drivers that would have stopped them and that’s all. You are lucky you have a good administration as a lot of those just like to pretend there are no problems. Finally as a granparent the whole thing scares me.
Comment by Dr. John — September 22, 2006 @ 9:54 am
Good for you on reporting it!!
I’d heard of it before and could not believe what I was hearing!!
When I was a kid I was way too chicken to even think of trying things like this…still am even.
Comment by chesneygirl — September 22, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
I agree with kat - how horrible that kids are comfortable even doing this in front of their bus driver, and laughing about it! Good job for taking steps to stop it behavior like that before one of them gets seriously injured or killed. Ugh.
Comment by April-Lyn — September 29, 2006 @ 12:03 pm
Over 135 have fallen victim to the ‘choking game’ since I lost my 13 year old son Gabriel on May 6, 2005. I suspect the number of deaths are actually higher, much higher.
I am including web sites that have information and statistics on this high risk, thrill seeking deadly activity.
Sarah Pacatte, Gabriel Mordecai’s mom
StillLovingMyGabriel.com
DeadlyGamesChildrenPlay.com
NickSerna.com
Comment by sarah pacatte — October 4, 2006 @ 10:25 am
Sarah, please accept my sympathies for your tragic loss. I can’t even begin to imagine what you have had to go through. It may interest you to know that your son’s story is the one that the school principal shared copies of with the students on my bus. I know because one of the girls read it out loud to everyone on the bus. Thank you for the links.
Comment by Stacy — October 15, 2006 @ 9:45 pm
I also lost a son to this “game” almost 2 years ago. Let your kids see his story, and that “real” kids do die from this. Kids think they will never died. 500-1000 die each year from this. It IS scary, and worth scarying them as much as you can.
http://joyinthemorning.clubmom.com/joy_in_the_morning/2006/09/i_am_tucking_th.html
Comment by Loni — October 16, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
…… Thank you Stacy…….
Sarah
Comment by sarah pacatte — October 30, 2006 @ 4:56 am