THE CHOKING GAME
G.A.S.P.
Games
ADOLESCENTS
SHOULDN’T
PLAY
A GAME?
It is not a game
Kids do it for a thrill
It can be deadly
It is self-asphyxiation
Kids do it to themselves or to each other
Deaths occur because the “game” was
carried too far
Some Statistics
75% of 9-14 year olds know about the
“choking game” (even know someone who
has done it, or they have done it)
Boys are much more likely to die from the
choking game than girls (87% of victims
are boys)
Most of those who die are 11-16 years old
(89%)
What is the Choking Game?
A person will use their thumbs against the
carotid arteries which interrupts the blood supply
to the brain (this is usually done when friends
are involved)
A belt, rope, or neck tie is used around the neck
in a pulling or hanging fashion (this is more often
done by a person when alone)
A person pushes on someone’s chest against a
wall or floor limiting the heart’s ability to get
oxygenated blood to the brain.
Choking Game Continued
A person (or another person) is cutting off the
supply of oxygen to their brain for a “rush” or a
“high”
The “rush” occurs when the loss of blood to the
brain causes the person to fall limp
The hands, belt, rope, etc are then released
from the carotid artery and the blood flow is
restored
The resulting rush of blood flow to the brain will
cause tingling and a sense of euphoria for a few
seconds
What Can Go Wrong?
A person who does this alone does not have
anyone to observe them and make sure they
don’t carry it too far
A pro-longed asphyxiation can accidently cause
death
Even when death does not occur, there can be
brain cell death
How much deprivations of Oxygen to the brain is
too much
Death can occur the first time someone does
this or the tenth time or anytime
Warning Signs
Detailed knowledge of the choking game
Bloodshot eyes
Marks on the neck
Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom
furniture
Severe headaches
Disorientation after being alone
What is the Attraction for Teens?
A brief sense of euphoria
An altered state of consciousness
Peer pressure
A dare from a friend
Enhanced erotic feelings
Entertainment when done with a friend
What are Some of the Other
Names?
Space Monkey
Black Hole
Fainting Game
Flat Liner
Funky Chicken
Pass out Game
Cloud Nine
***NO MATTER THE NAME THE RESULTS CAN
BE THE SAME!
Who Would Do This?
9-16 year olds
More males than females
Well adjusted, high achieving students
who are looking to have a sensational
experience that they feel is safer than
drugs and alcohol
Teens not necessarily involved in other
risky behaviors
Death
It is estimated that there are as few as 250
and as many as 1,000 deaths among
adolescents each year
The discrepancy in the numbers is
because it is difficult to track statistics as
many deaths are actually reported as
suicides
What Can You Do?
Be Pro-Active!
Don’t be afraid to talk to your teen. Remember
75% of them already know anyway
Tell them the dangers…this they do not know
Teens feel that it is OK because it is not illegal
like drugs and alcohol
Tell them this is not a game and it can be deadly
SUMMARY
Tell your child if they know of any of their
friends doing this they need to tell an adult
There is a very real danger to the “choking
game” the first time and every time
It is not measurable how much loss of
oxygen is too much