There was recently a story on or local news about a boy who died playing this game. His parents were actually home when it happened, and his father found him when his visiting friend started screaming and crying when he realized he couldn’t revive him. The boy that died was only 11 years old. While this so called game may be more common among the older kids, it is also making its way into the younger crowd.

Teenagers have not always been known for their wise decisions. More often than not, teenagers make rash decisions that have very little conscious thought involved and are more likely spurred on by the crowd. In the past, these “adventures” involved car races or some form of dare that might cause harm (or embarrassment). Today the adventures have turned more deadly. The trend is to play a game - only this game is one of life or death.

The Choking Game (also known as the Blackout Game or the Fainting Game) is when one person shuts off the oxygen to his brain (sometimes by strangulation) in order to get a high from the experience. This intentional deprivation of oxygen to the brain can result in unconsciousness, temporary or even permanent brain damage, or death.

It is important to talk to your teenager about who he (or she) is spending time with or what he is doing with his friends when he is out. These recreational activities that teenagers are participating in are no games. Not only can they cause problems in youth, but they can also lead to more dangerous scenarios as the teenager grows older. Some teenagers who participate in the Choking Game eventually develop an unnatural fixation on erotic asphyxiation.

There are a variety of reasons that people say they participate in the Choking Game - none of which have ever been substantiated. Some claim that it produces a brief high. Others say that cutting off the oxygen produces a more enhanced sense of erotic feelings. Some even suggest that it gives the same feeling of being intoxicated. No matter what the reason, the truth is that no one can be sure just how much damage is being done neurologically each time the “game” is “played”.

It might surprise you to find out that this game has been around for longer than most experts realize. As long as thirty years ago, kids in the school yard were hyperventilating on purpose to get a high or dizzy feeling associated with intoxication. Unfortunately, the teenagers of today have found more effective ways to play the game. Even more unfortunate is that few parents realize it is going on. There are very few documented cases of injury or death from this game.

Make time to talk to your teenager on a regular basis. Talk about things in the news, hobbies and interests or whatever your teenager wants to discuss. When things come up, talk about situations like the Choking Game and how deadly serious they can be. The more open and honest you are with your teenager about little things, the more open he (or she) will be to your opinion about important issues.