For many, many years students have participated in a very dangerous activity often referred to as the “Fainting Game”. An incident involving this game recently occurred at one of our elementary schools that resulted in injury. This activity may also be called a number of other things -The Choking Game, Rising Sun, Pass Out, California High, Knock Out, Airplaning, Space Monkey, Funky Chicken, Flatliner, Suffocation, Roulette, Gasp, Blackout, Tingling. The game essentially involves causing one or oneself to faint or lose consciousness. Hypocapnia (or hypocapnea), also known as hypocarbia, is a state of reduced carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypocapnia usually results from deep or rapid breathing (hyperventalation), and has become a popular practice among youth playing the fainting game. The game can cause brain damage, disability, and even death.
There are different ways that children/teens cause themselves to pass out. You may want to take a look at examples posted on YouTube on how kids are making themselves faint.
It is important that parents are aware of the dangers of playing the game and take steps to educate their children to those dangers. Everyone is encouraged to be vigilant in order to ensure that our students are not playing and are not participating in this dangerous activity.