The choking game, also known as fainting game, black out game, dying game, high riser in between others is now "played" by children for recreation.  Teens and pre-teens have been reported to have practiced it.

The choking "game" is a dangerous activity inducing partial or complete loss of consciousness due to deprivation of oxygen circulation to the brain for a period of time (either by strangulation and/or self-induced hypocapnia.

Depriving the brain from oxygen can cause moderate to severe brain cell death leading to permanent loss of neurological function ranging from difficulty in concentration or loss of short term memory capacity through severe, lifelong mental disability to death.

So why are kids "playing" this dangerous game?  There are several reasons why our kids do it, none very brilliant: a dare, a rite of passage into a social group, curiosity in approximation to a near death experience, curiosity that it may enhance erotic feelings, curiosity that it can induce a brief sense of a rush sensation or high, and others.

Well I say to you, DON'T BE STUPID!  Can't you see your "game" is killing people.  It's killing you, if not at once then little by little with every time you do it.  Your life it much too important to waste it like that, much more important to give in to what others think of you if you do not do it.  This is worse than a bullet in the head.  Don't play with your life, you'll regret it if you do.  Don't make a mistake you will not be able to undo.  Use your head, don't abuse it.

Here are some links to whoever would like more information on this subject.  It is essential that if you know someone who you know is or might think of doing it, help them, don't turn your back on them.  They need you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choking_game

http://www.stop-the-choking-game.com/en/home.asp

http://www.guidancechannel.com/default.aspx?index=1878&cat=13

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=987294

Luna