- How the game is played
- What are the risks of this game
- What signs to watch out for
- How to protect your child
Asphyxiation can cause death or leave serious consequences such as blindness or paraplegia. It is a kind of "faking game" or "choking game", usually practiced by young people and teenagers where intentional asphyxiation is caused, in order to interrupt the passage of blood and oxygen to the brain.
The game looks exciting because it produces adrenaline by depriving the brain of oxygen, which causes fainting, dizziness and euphoria. But those sensations that arise due to the adrenaline spikes that the body produces in response to the dangerous situation are very harmful and can easily kill.
How the game is played
The game can be played using your own hands to squeeze the neck but the "fainting game" can also be played in other ways, which include punching the chest, pressing the chest or practicing a short, rapid breath for a few minutes. in order to get faint.
In addition, it can also be done with other forms of strangulation such as a belt, scarf, scarf or rope around the neck or with heavy accessories, such as a box bag, attached to the ceiling.
The so-called “joke” can be practiced alone or in a group, and the person who suffers from asphyxiation can stand, sit or lie down. The experience is often recorded, to be later seen by friends on social networks.
What are the risks of this game
The practice of this game can have several health risks that most young people are unaware of, being considered by many as an innocent and risk-free “game”. The main risk of this “game” is death, which can arise as a result of the stopping of the body's vital functions, due to oxygen deprivation that happens in the brain.
Other risks of lack of oxygen in the brain include:
- Temporary or permanent blindness; Paraplegia; Loss of sphincter control, no longer controlling when you have a bowel movement or when you pee; Cardiorespiratory arrest, which may appear after 5 minutes without oxygen; Emergence of seizures or epilepsy.
What signs to watch out for
Until a few years ago, many adults and parents did not know this "game", so well known and practiced by teenagers. This is because it is not easy for parents to be able to identify whether their child has also joined the “game”, so it is important to be aware of the following signs:
- Red eyes; Migraines or frequent headaches; Signs of redness or marks on the neck; Bad mood and daily or frequent irritability.
In addition, the most frequent practitioners of this game tend to be more introverted teenagers, who have difficulty integrating or making friends, enjoying isolation or spending many hours locked in their room.
The asphyxiation game is practiced by young people for the most varied reasons, and can be used as a way to integrate themselves in a certain group, to become popular or to know the limits of their own body, being in these cases practiced to kill curiosity.
How to protect your child
The best way to protect your child from this and other risky practices is to be attentive to the signs of their behavior, learning to interpret whether your child is sad, upset, distant, restless or has difficulty making friends or integrating. in school.
In addition, many children and teenagers who play this game are unaware that they put their lives at risk. Therefore, talking to your child and explaining the possible consequences of this game, such as blindness or cardiorespiratory arrest, can also be a good approach.
