The first Australian victim of the choking game "black-out" or "knock-out" happened on the Gold Coast this month. Abigail Corthals 15, was found dead in her bedroom with a belt around her neck. Her heart-broken parents want to warn everyone about this bizarre Internet craze which has killed hundreds of teenagers around the world. There were no warning signs for Abigail's parents, it was a quiet death - she even left the door of her bedroom open as she was doing it.
The game is popular at teen parties and schoolyards as children choke each other or themselves to achieve a high, a brief feeling of euphoria is experienced by depriving the brain of oxygen. Abigail spent a lot of time on the computer in her bedroom and was a high-achieving private school student. The irony is that she was planning to end the game because she told a friend "We have to stop this now" but couldn't resist one last thrill.
There have been 86 reported cases in the UK and hundreds in America. Other names for the game include "funky chicken" and "space monkey". The game involves hyperventilating or squeezing the carotid artery in the neck for a few seconds to achieve a high. Constricting the artery cuts blood flow to the brain and when the pressure is released, there is a rush of oxygen which causes the high. It's common among high-achieving students who don't want to get into trouble with drugs or alcohol.
The craze is not to be confused with auto-erotic asphyxiation because it's not done for sexual gratification.
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