LOVELOCK - Blackout games have been around for generations. The games go by many names: "American dream," "California choke out," "California pass out," "flatlining," "airplaning," "black hole," "knock-out game" and others.
These "games" are played by young teenagers and tweens who are unaware of the potentially dangerous consequences. Teens play these "games" to get the euphoric high brought on by the lack of oxygen and blood to the brain.
The games are played two ways: one is when a teen hyperventilates and then holds their breath as someone pushes firmly on their chest. This induces a blackout.
"This is very serious. When they push on the chest they are in effect interrupting the rhythm of the heartbeat. They are also depriving their brain of oxygen. Neither one of these are healthy behaviors. In fact, in the right circumstance the lack of oxygen to the brain and interrupting or stopping the heart could cause death," said Sunny Johnson, Humboldt County coordinator for the Frontier Community Coalition.
Another way they "play" is by choking themselves, either with their own hands or using a tie, belt or some other method of cutting off the blood flow to the brain. This also induces a blackout.
"The high that happens after the release of the choke hold is actually some brain cells dying. Because the brain is being deprived of oxygen, the possible outcomes include permanent brain damage, problems thinking, moving and even death," Pershing County school nurse Deborah Pontius said.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov, results from a 2008 Oregon Healthy Teens survey indicated that nearly one-third of eighth grade students were aware of someone who participated in the choking game and nearly 6 percent acknowledged trying it. Public health experts stress that this high- risk activity is not a game and should not be referred to as such.
The website went on to point out symptoms that may indicate teens are active in this behavior: bloodshot eyes, marks on the neck, frequent, severe headaches, disorientation after spending time alone, and ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor.
Another website, Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play, at www.gaspinfo.com suggests that those most active in these behaviors are high-achieving adolescents who don't use alcohol or drugs. They do this "as a way to get high without the risk of getting caught with drugs or alcohol," the website states.
A Google search of "choking games" "blackout games" or any of the names listed above provides parents with websites to help educate themselves on these dangerous behaviors.
Although these "games" are not illegal, death or injuries could have legal ramifications for those participating.
In the case of a death associated with one of these dangerous behaviors, Pershing County District Attorney Jim Shirley said charges would depend on the facts of the case.
"From a legal standpoint, if a person were to die during these games, what would be charged would depend largely on the circumstances. If we are dealing with children under 18, it would be a delinquent act. If we are dealing with a person over 18, we could probably charge child abuse causing death, depending on the circumstances," Shirley said.
[[In-content Ad]]
