Soldiers 'huffing' to get "out of Iraq for two minutes"

[ck4829]

A few cases of “huffing” canned air on base has one command sergeant major banning its presence in barracks rooms for many enlisted soldiers under his command.

Canned air is a family of products called “gas dusters” that are used to blow dust out of electronic equipment.

Canned air is a misnomer of sorts since the cans don’t actually contain air, but inert gasses. These can also be inhaled for a quick high that can get a soldier “out of Iraq for two minutes,” said Command Sgt. Major Dan McCraw of the 1st Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.

But huffing is dangerous and potentially fatal, as the substance deprives the brain of oxygen. In one case, McCraw said, a soldier went into convulsions. Two other cases have cropped up in the last 30 days.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49161

[liberalmuse]

1. Huffing? I'd take heroin..

War, and this war especially, is hell. I'm glad I didn't re-up. They say our military is voluntary, but no one volunteers for this kind of shit. And even those who specifically volunteered for Iraq had no idea what they were getting into.

[tridim]

2. I hope at the very least they're able to get good pot

Because gawd knows they need a break.

[L. Coyote]

3. A good way to commit suicide. Huffing deaths go unreported and undiagnosed.

They appear to be heart failures. It is far more than a lack of oxygen issue if certain chemicals, like solvents, are used. Permanent brain damage can also occur.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

4. Huffing is a poor way to get high, and an easy way to get killed.

Fill up a balloon with the wrong gas, or take it all at once, and you have a nice old way to stop respiratory function, make your heart stop, or destroy your brain. Take your pick, none of them are particularly fun.