Residents recall "pass-out game" from youth
JANESVILLE — What little information there is about the chest-pushing “pass-out game” is lumped together with a similar phenomenon, “the choking game.”
In both practices, someone first breathes in and out rapidly, hyperventilating. In the choking game, someone else then chokes that person until he faints.
Several Janesville residents approached at random said they remember the choking game from their youths.
Descriptions of the practice talk about a “rush” or “high” that participants experience.
The game can produce a euphoric feeling and can become addictive, said Ronald Peters, assistant professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, quoted in that organization’s Web site.
Death or brain damage are among the possible outcomes, Peters said.
A recent article from the National Centers for Disease Control described a survey of choking-game incidents from 1995 to 2007.
Using news reports, the CDC identified 82 choking-game deaths in that time period. Often, death came when the victim tried it alone.
Often, the coroner’s report lists the cause as accidental hanging. Boys accounted for 87 percent of the deaths in the CDC study. Most were ages 11-16.
“Within three minutes of continued strangulation, basic functions such as memory, balance, and the central nervous system start to fail,” according to the CDC. “Death occurs shortly after.”
The CDC says nonlethal consequences can include death of brain cells due to oxygen deprivation, coma, seizures, concussions, hemorrhaging of the eye and broken bones from falls.
Chest compressions also might break ribs, said Dr. Ben Tippets, a pulmonologist with University Hospital in Madison.
Tippets said the hyperventilation decreases carbon dioxide in blood and constricts blood vessels in the brain.
“It’s all about blood and the brain and not having enough blood to support normal brain function,” Tippets said.
The game goes by numerous names, including the knockout, blackout, twitching game, scarf game, airplaning, gasp, space monkey, the American dream, purple haze and flatliner.
At least one organization has formed to combat the phenomenon. Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play—G.A.S.P.—has a Web site at www.stop-the-choking-game.com.
The CDC’s information is at www.cdc.gov/Features/ChokingGame.
Sep 22, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
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Guess you better complain, too, when the paper reports about drinking and driving, because THOSE are basic instructions as well. Or drive-by shootings.
Or kids getting hit by cars riding their bikes in the street.
Give me a break. If the paper DIDN'T publish it, you'd be complaining that you wouldn't know what to look out for.
I am glad that the paper published this. I now will be on the lookout for any of the signs, and will be talking to my kids.
Sep 22, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
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Do kids read the paper? Reading is so 1990's, I was under the impression that kids don't read anymore.
Sep 22, 2008 at 8:36 a.m.
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Oh come on now, you maniacs of Janesville. It is not the fault of the Janesville Gazette for reporting the truly hard facts of our society. And this is most certainly not the fault of Mr. Schultz for printing the "step by step" instructions of "The Choking Game". Anyone who actually thinks that the reportage of "stories of silly import" in a local newspaper is inappropriate...well then, you certainly do not understand the concept of the word "import", nor the word "silly", and you are most certainly an importantly silly Janesvillian. But I don't have to write for the Gazette to be able to tell you who is responsible for this resurgence of "The Choking Game" in Southern Wisconsin. This is clearly the fault of magicians. Yes, yes, ALL magicians. I don't care if the magicians are local, or national, or appear on the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Magicians make a living off of giving kids a false hope of a "high" from magic, and this recent "magician" cultural phenomenon is clear evidence of such. Let's just put the blame where it belongs, people!!!! I remember one time, when I was still young and naive, a magician made a rabbit appear out of his top hat, and I was so blown away by it that I actually spontaneously started to dance an Irish Jig to the tune of "You Can't Touch This" by Mr. M.C. Hammer, and I suddenly decided that I needed to find a constructive way to constrict oxygen from reaching my lungs. I got so "high" from that experience that I went home and tried to hang myself, because I knew both of my parents were out "doin' stuff" (their words) and the babysitter was "studying biology" with her boyfriend on the sofa. Luckily, my "Dukes of Hazzard" commemorative belt buckle broke before my trachea was crushed, and I only lost consciousness for a few minutes, and I was still able to catch the last few minutes of THE DUKES OF HAZZARD that night. And it was a great episode too!! A classic. It had Lulu Hogg in it, and all the best DUKE BOY episodes featured Lulu constantly arguing with Boss Hogg about them Duke Boys!!!!. LOLOLOLOL. So anyway, after sharing my shattered past with you, I would now like to to offer some philosophy into this subject matter. TESTERRIFIC SAYS..."Times Change. People Change. Things Change. But The Only Things That Will Never Change are Times, People, and Things." That is a direct quote from Captain Testerrific. Choke on that nugget of knowledge, why don't ya??????? And buy War Bonds.
Sep 22, 2008 at 7:26 a.m.
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whoops..."the naive one....."
Sep 22, 2008 at 7:26 a.m.
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aparentwhocares: I think you are naive one that JohnDoe was talking about. The child must already have some issues if they read this and attempt it. You would think that if you were indeed "a parent who cares" you would like to know what is going on in the lives or our youth. You might want to actually learn what children are doing so you might be able to prevent it. Children can find anything they want on the internet and most don't even read the paper!
Sep 22, 2008 at 7:22 a.m.
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What is wrong with all of you? If a child tries doing this because they read the paper then they deserve what is coming to them. Don't sit there say the paper is being irresponsible. They are reporting something that more people need to be aware of. I bet you are the same people who blame TV or the movies when your kids do something stupid. Take RESPONSIBILITY for your actions and quit blaming the media!
Sep 22, 2008 at 12:10 a.m.
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Quit blaming the newspaper and talk to your children today, not tomorrow. I am an addictions-certified registered nurse who has worked with adolescent clients (patients). Parents, you would be very surprised (and very frightened) at what your children have learned by word of mouth from peers and via the internet. Another thing, if you really care about your children, find a way to monitor their cell phone usage. Computer use is not the only thing that needs to be watched.
Sep 21, 2008 at 8:21 p.m.
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This has been going on since at least the 60's, and kids back then didn't need to read the instructions in the paper to know how to do it.
.
Your kids are not as naive as many of you parents. They know more than a lot of you care to admit.
Sep 21, 2008 at 8:07 p.m.
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shame on anyone who would go into such detail ..now more kids will be doing this because the gazette is giving them step by step instructions on how to do this .Yes, talk about it...worn parents about ...teach kids not to do it and why...But to go ahead a teach them how too do it. You will be the ones that will have this on your shoulders when a kid goes to far and realy hurts or god forbid dies from doing this....I'm ashamed to say I read this paper
Sep 21, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.
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I guess I am too old (45), to remember a game like this. My oldest daughter is 27 and she never did this or heard of it either. Kids, it is a stupid way to get a "high" feeling. Try doing charity work or something, that gives you a natural "high"!!
Sep 21, 2008 at 10:01 a.m.
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mollyd5~That is very rude and I think you should retract that yourself. Peole in this town need to have a little more compassion. This is the rudest town I have even lived in or been in. Number one reason why my children will not be raised here!
Sep 21, 2008 at 8:28 a.m.
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I can't believe Mr. Schultz was careless enough to print step by step instructions. I highly suggest he remove the instructions from this article. He is passing on useless and dangerous knowledge.
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