Deadly game children are playing.

A good friend of mines nephew died from this recently, he was only 8.

Please tell everyone you know about this deadly game.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=987294&page=2

Choking Game Is Deadly Child's Play

Apparently, it's a popular game with kids around the world and it goes by a lot of names. "They can be known as space monkey, space cowboy, knockout, gasp, rising sun. In Ireland, it's known as the American dream game," said Dr. Thomas Andrew, an expert on the dangers of this high-risk game.

Andrew says children play it by squeezing a friend's chest or neck to cut off the flow of oxygen. "While the brain is deprived of oxygen, you'll get this sensation of light-headedness. Perhaps numbness and tingling. And if all goes as planned, the pressure's then released. Blood goes torrenting up those carotid arteries and it goes into the brain, and you have this big rush," he said.

That rush is what children seem to crave. Some want it so much they're now often playing the game alone, using shoelaces, ropes, dog leashes, bed sheets and belts. Andrew says the result can be fatal — and easily confused with suicide.

Warning Signs and Tips for Parents

There are tip-offs parents and friends may be able to spot. Experts say severe headaches, marks on the neck, bloodshot eyes and closed doors are common signs. Most importantly, experts say, parents should talk to their children about risky behavior.