A Long The Way.

February 14, 2008, 6:04 pm
Youth ‘Choking Game’ Can Be Deadly
Posted by Sarah Rubenstein
The Health Blog’s adolescent years faded into history long ago. Maybe that’s why we’d never heard of a game that teens today sometimes call Space Monkey, Airplaning, Space Cowboy or Flat Liner.

The names may sound funny, but the game is deadly serious. The nicknames refer to what is more accurately called the “choking game,” in which youngsters wrap everything from dog leashes to bungee cords around their necks to temporarily cut blood flow to their brains, as this AP story explains. The goal is a dreamy, floating-in-space sensation when blood rushes back to the brain.

In a first, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an estimate of the death toll from the choking game that relied on reports in the media and on two Web sites. Death certificates, the researchers wrote, aren’t precise enough for the task. The researchers found 82 probable deaths among youths aged 6–19 years, from 1995 to 2007, due to the choking game. Seventy-one, or 87%, of the victims were male, and the average age was about 13 years. (Deaths ruled to be suicides or from auto-erotic asphyxiation were excluded.)

Through the CDC report, we came across a youth health-risk survey that lists nicknames for the game as well as danger signs for parents to watch for:

Suspicious mark on side of the neck sometimes hidden by wearing turtlenecks, scarves and up-turned collars.
Changes in personality, such as overly aggressive or agitated.
Straps, rope or belt lying around without any reason.
A flushed face or bloodshot eyes.
A thud in the bedroom or against a wall.
For more info and an online forum for discussion, see the Web site Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play.

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While staying or playing in California’s Monterey Bay area, how about taking a Whale Watching tour? Monterey Bay is situated near the mid-section of California’s coastline. The bay not only has a shallow shelf by the shore, it also has an enormous and deep submarine canyon.

These extremes in habitats permit a large variety of marine creatures to dwell there. By taking a whale watching tour, you may be able to see some of the marine life listed below which varies depending on the time of the year that you go.

Marine Life of Monterey Bay: Whales - There are Blue, Gray, Minke, Fin, Humpback, Beaked and Sperm Whales. Dolphins and Porpoises - There are the Common, Bottlenose, Pacific White-sided, Risso’s, Orca (Killer Whale) and Northern Right Whale Dolphins.

Also, the Dall’s and Harbor Porpoises. Pinnipeds - There are the Stellar and California Sea Lions. Also, the Northern Fur, Pacific Harbor and Northern Elephant Seals. Sea Otters - Southern Sea Otter Sea Turtles - Leatherback Sea Turtle Sea Birds - There are Pelicans, Loons, Terns, Black-footed Albatross and Gulls.

There are several tour companies operating in the bay. Besides price, check with each one to see what their particular whale watching tour offers. Ask what time or times of day they go out. Which type and size of vessel will you be on?

Does it have indoor and outdoor seating and heated cabins? Are there ample life jackets? Does it have a live or taped narrated tour? Will there be a marine biologist or naturalist on board to identify animals and answer questions? Can you bring snacks and beverages or are there some available on the boat?

Inquire about the length of the trip because tours can range anywhere from two to four hours. Find out about their cancellation policy. Will they cancel for poor weather conditions or under booked tours? To insure that your outing is a pleasant and comfortable trip it is important to do a little preparation.

Before your excursion, it is a good idea to purchase your tickets. This way you can book the day and time that you want and not have to worry about getting there and the trip being sold out.

Also be certain to arrive at least a half of an hour before departure so you will have enough time to check in. Since out on the ocean it can be breezy and chilly no matter what time of the year, be sure to put on warm garments in several layers.

It is recommended that you dress in long pants and wear flat closed-toed shoes with rubber soles. A wind and waterproof jacket or light raincoat, hat and gloves for the outermost layer is best should it start to rain.

If it gets hot later on, you can always remove a layer. For additional weather protection, remember to bring your sunscreen lotion, lip balm, seasick medication and sunglasses. You may also wish to bring a camera, video camera or binoculars for extra enjoyment.

While there is no guarantee that you will see any whales, the captain and crew with all their experience and knowledge, will do their best to find them.

Should your boat be lucky enough to locate a whale, please realize that you are not allowed to attempt to touch it or any other animal. This is for the animal’s safety as well as yours. Whether or not you see a whale, you surely will view some of the wonderful marine life that makes their home in the bay or just visits at certain seasons of the year.

So make plans for an unforgettable day out at sea and have a whale of a time!

Resource Box: Author James Dodson Email: datasan6@gmail.com

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