A really deadly and stupid fad among grade schoolers: Two boys

[hedgehog]

ages 6 and 12 have died here in Syracuse this week in sepearte incidents after hanging themselves with belts from a doorknob. The police are describing it as an attempt to imitate wrestling moves, but these are clear cases of autoerotic asphyxiation. I don't know if either boy knew the point of the exercise, but they got dhe hanging part right. I had heard that this was a fad spreading in junior high circles. I have no idea how to stop it without getting more kids interestesd in trying it "just once". It's like telling kids not to sniff bug spray. The ones who won't do it wouldn't do it even if you didn't warn them. The ones who would do it are liable to go out and try it as soon as they hear about it whether the source is an adult with a warning or another kid.

[Greeby]

1. Sadly, tragic cases of Monkey See, Monkey Do

Have been with us since time immemorial :(

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. I'm not so convinced.

A 6 year old? I would sooner believe that someone put him up to it. An older kid, perhaps?

[IndyOp]

2. It is a way to get 'high' - not necessarily autoerotic...

Taking yourself to the point of passing out - you feel woosy and drunk, high...

There was another post here a week or so ago from someone whose co-worker's son had just died doing this.

Stupid and deadly - exactly.

:(

[hedgehog]

5. Thanks, I didn't know about that.

Some friends who are very conservative lost a grown son to autoerotic asphyxiation.

[IndyOp]

6. I am sorry to hear that... It could've been autoerotic for the 12-yr-old, but

I doubt that was the case with the 6-year-old.

Edit: Rather embarrassing error corrected...

[laundry_queen]

3. Back when I was in high school (let's just say more than 10 yrs ago)

a kid in junior high (same small school) died from the same thing. I think the same as with sex ed, education is the key, with a lot of statistics on just how many kids die from this ever year. The numbers are pretty high. It's very sad. I don't think making kids aware of this danger will make them necessarily want to try it. When the tragedy happened at our school, every class had a small education session on it. That is the way to go, IMO.

[kestrel91316]

4. Tragic, each and every time it happens. But it seems to be

a very effective way of reducing inherited tendencies toward excessive risk-taking and failure to think before acting in a population...........

Darwinism in action.........

[Berry Cool]

7. Try telling that to someone who lost their kid that way.

Maybe some compassion would not be out of line.

[Oilwellian]

9. Jaysus H. Christ

What the hell kind of response is that? It's posts like yours that makes me ashamed of being a DU'er sometimes.

[treestar]

8. So pathetically horrible

It's hard to even think about.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Also: "Dusting", inhaling the contents of Dust-Off cans

A warning flag against latest fad 'high' for teens
Abuse of Dust-Off can prove fatal, authorities say
By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff | September 25, 2005

Generations of teenagers have sniffed common household products -- from glue to Whiteout to the propane in cigarette lighters -- for a cheap, easy route to intoxication. But the danger posed by the latest inhalant of choice, a common computer keyboard cleaner called ''Dust-Off," has prompted area police to warn parents and teens that the ''high" could be fatal.

Inhaling the compressed gas can cause brain damage and heart failure by robbing the lungs of oxygen, authorities say.In March, a 14-year-old boy from Ohio was found dead in his bed with a canister beside him. His death has received wide attention after his father, a police sergeant, posted a cautionary letter on the Internet that has caught the notice of police, educators, and parents.

Last summer, three California teenagers died in a car crash, and a can of Dust-Off was found inside the vehicle. In July, a teenager passed out in a West Hartford, Conn., drugstore after inhaling Dust-Off, then arose moments later to do it again, according to newspaper reports.

In response, Falcon Safety Products, the maker of Dust-Off, released a statement citing the dangers of inhalant abuse and highlighting its efforts to combat the problem. Many stores, including Staples and Wal-Mart, have banned sales of the product to minors.
***
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/09/25/a_warning_flag_against_latest_fad_high_for_teens/

The mfgr has taken action:

New Dust-Off® Formula Deters Inhalant Abuse
Proactive efforts reflect Falcon's dedication to making a difference and saving lives.

Branchburg, NJ (October 25, 2006) - Falcon Safety Products®, manufacturer of the Dust?Off® brand of consumer electronics cleaning products, today introduced a new version of its industry leading Dust-Off compressed-gas duster. While entirely safe when used as directed, compressed-gas dusters are one of many aerosol products too often abused by young adults searching for a cheap and sometimes deadly high. In an attempt to discourage this dangerous practice of inhalant abuse, Falcon developed a new formulation for its dusters, incorporating an additive that makes the contents of the can extremely unpalatable to those who attempt to abuse them. The additive was developed to have no adverse effects with normal, recommended use.
***
http://www.falconsafety.com/default.aspx?pageid=277

Note that the gas in Dust-Off is probably harmless, it is the absence of oxygen which is the danger.