Twin Falls family tragedy from ‘Choking Game’

Skyler Smith, 12, Twin Falls, was an active, energetic boy until losing his life May 30 to "the choking game."

At about 4 p.m., his mother, thinking he may have fallen asleep, went to wake him for the rest of the days’ fun.

Instead, she found him hanging from his bedpost, dead, victim of “the choking game,” something he’d learned from his friends at school.

“You must know that the kids who are doing this are good kids,” Skyler’s father, Joel, said. “They are into sports and love life and love their families, just like my son, Skyler. He was looking forward to baseball this summer and starting football in the fall. This game can affect any family, anywhere.”

The Twin Falls, Idaho, family says the only thing that keeps them going in the wake of the tragic loss of their son is by spreading the word to others that they may not have to suffer similar tragedy.

The choking game isn’t a game at all, though it’s often called that or other names; “space monkey,” “pass out,” or “the good kids game,” so-called because it offers a “high” without the risk of getting caught with drugs or alcohol. Simply put, these kids choke themselves, some in the company of others, some alone, with their own hands or a rope or belt, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain.

When the pressure is released, the blood floods the brain all at once, setting off a feeling of light-headeness. In actuality, that light-headed feeling is brought about by brain cells dying.

In too many cases, this misguided attempt for a “quick buzz” leads to death.

While accurate numbers are hard to compile, as many deaths are reported as suicides or are not attributed to the choking game, the Dangerous Behaviors Foundation has documented 14 deaths of young people from around the world so far this year, as well as another 17 who needed medical intervention to survive.

“It’s not something you’d think would be going on in a state like Idaho,” Joel said, “but sadly, it is.”

While it’s not easy to know whether your child might be playing this potentially deadly game, there are signs to look out for. Most obvious are suspicious marks on the child’s neck, or their suddenly wearing clothing to cover their neck. Finding ropes, straps or belts laying around in places they don’t belong, or defensive behavior when asked about such things, can be another warning sign.

Bloodshot eyes can be a giveaway, as ocular bleeding can occur from choking. A child’s asking questions about the effects, sensations or dangers of strangulation can mean the child is considering playing the “game.”

Talking to your child or to other children close to you can go a long way toward keeping them from trying the choking game. If you’re not sure what to say or if you want to know more, visit http://www.gaspinfo.com or http://www.chokinggame.net, both sites offer valuable insight.