The “choking game” is a deadly trend growing nationwide among youth, and Pasadena ISD officials are doing their part to see that it doesn’t claim the lives of their students.

Pasadena ISD’s Guidance Center is holding its monthly parent meeting Thursday, Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria, which is located at 3010 Bayshore Drive in Pasadena across from Phillips Gym and next to Park View Intermediate. This month, Pasadena ISD parents are invited to listen to Pasadena ISD police officer Cliff O’Quinn’s presentation on the “choking game.”

“This activity is not a game,” said O’Quinn. “This is something that has gotten out of control among our youth, and the best way to put a stop to it is to educate students and their parents about the dangers of this so-called game.”

The “choking game” is played both in groups and by a single child most popular in ages 9-14 with the object of the “game” being to asphyxiate or apply pressure to restrict oxygen and/or blood flow to the brain of the victim. This restriction of oxygen creates a desired tingling or high sensation, which O’Quinn says are the cells of the brain seizing and beginning the process of permanent cell death. Students play the game either by using their hands to choke themselves or one another or by using some type of ligature such as a rope to apply the pressure.

“When the victim becomes unconscious, the pressure is released and the secondary ‘high’ of the oxygen or blood rushing to the brain is achieved,” said O’Quinn. “If the victim is alone upon unconsciousness, there is no one to release the pressure and the victim’s own body weight continues to tighten the ligature usually resulting in death.”

O’Quinn said this “game” is popular among youth because of the brief sense of euphoria they receive when participating in the activity. It offers an altered state of consciousness and enhanced erotic feelings that provide entertainment to students and their peers.

“This activity is free, easily accessible and not a drug or illegal, so it creates the temptation for a quick thrill,” he said. “Adolescents feel as though it’s just ‘passing out,’ when in reality, every time they participate they are risking death.”

Other dangers this activity poses to a child’s health include bruises, concussions, broken bones, seizures, brain damage, retinal hemorrhaging and stroke. Signs parents can look for indicating child participation in this activity are blood shot eyes, increased headaches, markings on the neck and possession of a rope or plastic bag.

Guidance Center counselor Rose Rankin said one objective of this month’s parent meeting is to educate parents and students on how the game is played along with its possible tragic consequences.

“The so-called ‘choking game’ is done when students are alone or not under direct supervision of adults so most parents are not aware of this secretive game,” Rankin said. “Since this game can end in the untimely death of our students, we must make parents aware of what is going on so they can join in our efforts to put an immediate stop to this practice.”

O’Quinn has appeared on KRIV Fox 26 television to warn area parents about the deadly consequences of the “choking game” and ahs been asked to participate in a nationwide documentary to help alert and educate parents about the activity. He said he strongly encourages parents to attend the meeting.

“Parents need to hear about the dangers of this deadly activity, and they need to have the opportunity to ask questions about it,” O’Quinn said. “This meeting will give them the opportunity to see first-hand what the ‘choking game’ is all about and how to prevent their children’s participation as well as to receive facts and information about what to look for and how to help.”