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ALERT ALERT ALERT
Is Your Child Playing
The American Dream?
What is the choking game?
The choking game, often called The
American Dream, is a dangerous activity that older children and early
adolescents sometimes play to get a brief high. They either choke each
other or use a noose to choke themselves. After just a short time,
children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death
from hanging or strangulation.
Who is most at risk for death from playing the
choking game?
Since
1995, at least 82 children and adolescents have died as a result of
playing "the choking game," according to a new study by CDC's
Injury Center. Researchers analyzed media reports of deaths of children
and adolescents from the choking game.
· Boys were much more likely to die from the choking
game than girls; 87% of victims were boys.
· Most of the children that died were 11-16 years old
(89%).
· Nearly all of the children who died were playing the
game alone when they died.
· Deaths have occurred all over the United States; the
choking game isn't limited to one area of the country.
What are the warning signs that a child is playing
the choking game?
Parents, educators, health-care
providers, or peers may observe any of the following signs that can indicate
a child has been involved in the choking game:
· Discussion of the game or its aliases
· Bloodshot eyes
· Marks on the neck
· Wearing high-necked shirts, even in warm weather
· Frequent, severe headaches
· Disorientation after spending time alone
· Increased and uncharacteristic irritability or
hostility
· Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture
or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor
· The unexplained presence of dog leashes, choke
collars, bungee cords, etc.
· Petechiae (pinpoint bleeding spots) under the skin
of the face, especially the eyelids, or the conjunctiva (the lining of
the eyelids and eyes)
What are some of the other names used for the choking
game?
·
Pass-out game
·
Space monkey
·
Suffocation roulette
·
Scarf game
·
The American dream
·
Fainting game
·
Something dreaming game
·
Purple hazing
·
Blacking out/blackout
·
Dream game
·
Flat liner
·
California choke
·
Space cowboy
·
Airplaning
·
Purple dragon
·
Cloud nine
How quickly can someone die after playing the choking
game?
Someone can become unconscious in
a matter of seconds. Within three minutes of continued strangulation
(i.e., hanging), basic functions such as memory, balance, and the central
nervous system start to fail. Death occurs shortly after.
Are there non-fatal, long-term consequences of the
choking game?
· Loss of consciousness and death of brain cells due
to oxygen deprivation in the brain; coma and seizures may occur in severe
cases
· Concussions or broken bones (including jaws) from
falls associated with the choking game
· Hemorrhages of the eye
How
can the choking game be prevented?
Research is not available on the
best strategies to prevent the choking game. However, parents, educators,
and health-care providers should be made aware of this public health
threat and the warning signs that adolescents may be playing the game.
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