Erotic Asphyxiation: Breath Play

What Is Breath Control Play?

Breath control play is a complicated issue, as some people enjoy it and continue to do it without adverse effects, while others have suffered brain damage and even death from it. The following article simply provides educational information regarding this topic. We do not recommend such activities, and this is why all of our ball gags are breathable with air holes for safety.

Breath control play is also known as erotic asphyxiation, auto-erotic asphyxiation (if solo), breath games, breath play, hypoxyphilia, scarfing, gaspers, choke chicks, air walkers, and other names. It is the process of limiting or restricting air and/or the supply of oxygen to the brain. Below are more specific examples of it:

Auto-erotic Asphyxiation

The process of limiting or restricting air and/or the supply of oxygen to the brain while alone.

Strangling

This usually involves compression of the carotid arteries to prevent blood from reaching the brain.

Suffocation

This involves somehow reducing the oxygen level in the air available to breathe (usually gradually).

Hanging

This is a type of play that involves being suspended by the neck.

Breathplay

The process of making someone more conscious of, directing, or using breath in play. The process of role-playing or bringing about the psychological state of traditional breath play without using traditional methods.

Why Do People Do It?

The pleasure derived from strangulation during sex can be physical, psychological, or both. Each type of pleasure can be quite compelling on its own but putting them together, and the combination can create the motivation for a dangerous habit.

Oxygen Deprivation

Physical pleasure occurs because the brain's oxygen supply gets reduced. This condition is called hypoxia and can lead to a lucid semi-hallucinogenic state. Couple that state with an orgasm, and some people find the sensation very gripping. The problem is that there's no sure way to know when you are at the point of no return from brain damage and death. When there is no oxygen (anoxia) it can make people feel lightheaded as it is pleasurable to some people. Depending on the person, one can enjoy different levels of this.

Different Restrictions

It is quite powerful to feel restricted in any way that involves the face or throat. People use a variety of techniques to experience this. One example is by using a gas mask or hood. The gasmask or hood makes for a secluded sensation allowing the wearer to feel like they are escaping into their world while experiencing sexual activity. It also provides a feeling of tightness and restriction, which can also turn on some. There are many other examples: using a corset or other restricting device that creates a sense of pain and restriction. Other people simply hold their breath, and some even do this in public as an added deviance factor.

Some people also enjoy the sheer level of panic or risk that comes with such activity, much like people that jump out of an airplane for the thrill. However, most people who claim to enjoy the chance need to have some level of safety to enjoy it. Like those jumping out of an airplane, a parachute is not taken for granted. These people enjoy risk and letting go while knowing precautions have been taken to provide security to do it. However, no amount of precautions will take all the risk out of doing this.

Risk & Danger

The potential for fatal accidents occurring is always present with erotic asphyxiation. It is estimated that between 250 and 1,000 deaths occur yearly in the United States due to asphyxiophilia. This means that there is extreme risk-taking in doing something like this.

Understand that once someone goes unconscious, they cannot use their safe word. Furthermore, you will not be able to undo the damage, and they will most likely die. Playing with asphyxia in a game or consensual environment has significant fatal risks. Below are some of the main ways one can cause damage or death by doing this activity.

Trachea Damage

The trachea is commonly known as the windpipe. Some people who practice breath control put pressure on the trachea during play, leading to the trachea rupturing. This will cause intense pain, gasping for air, and thick secretions in the throat. This is a medical emergency, and proper medical care must be sought immediately.

This kind of pressure can also cause tracheitis, which is an inflammation of the trachea. The signs of tracheitis are thick secretions of the throat, swelling, croup like cough, sore throat, and fever. This may seem minor at first and may correct itself if the throat is rested; however, this can ultimately turn deadly quickly.

Larynx Damage

The larynx is the enlarged upper end of the trachea below the root of the tongue. It is the organ for the voice and consists of nine cartilage bound together by elastic membranes and moved by muscles. It is a very intricate structure and can be easily injured.

A fracture of the larynx is a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention. Some signs of fracture or compression of the larynx are loud breathing, choking and gasping respiration, weak and fast pulse, and blue skin. If left untreated, it will usually lead to death. It can also seriously damage the voice if a person does manage to survive the injury.

Laryngitis is also a complication of any form of compression of the larynx. It is essentially an inflammation of the larynx. Some symptoms of laryngitis are loss of voice, hoarseness, pain, and sometimes coughing.

Blood Vessel Damage

Breathplay often puts stress on the blood vessels of the neck, especially the carotid arteries. Post-traumatic carotid dissection essentially stretches and slightly tearing the artery brought on by trauma such as strangulation. The symptoms of this tearing are vision loss, weakness, numbness, and/or speech difficulties. These events may be temporary or permanent. The only treatment is to get to a doctor and have it evaluated.

Stroke

A stroke is a sudden loss of consciousness and paralysis caused by a hemorrhage in the brain, blockage of a blood vessel with a blood clot / foreign object, or a rupture of an artery in the brain. During strangulation or breath play, plaque (a fatty substance in the blood vessels) is dislodged. It can lodge itself in the blood vessel and lead to a stroke if that happens.

Strokes are unfortunately prevalent, and a few symptoms of one are loss of consciousness, paralysis, unequal pupils (the large one on the side of stroke), paralysis usually on one side, sweating, slightly lowered temperature, and speech disturbances. You are more prone to stroke if you have had one before, have a history of heart or blood pressure problems, are overweight, have poor physical condition, or have a cholesterol problem.

Cervical Spine Damage

A fracture in the cervical spine will usually cause pain, possible paralysis, fainting, and suppression of reflexes. A pinched nerve in the cervical spine area will mimic a lot of the symptoms of a fracture and is also very serious. If left untreated, it can cause constant pain and loss of muscle tone in the long term. Remember, hanging was originally not used to strangle someone but instead used to break their neck.

Airway Obstruction by the Tongue

A simple thing to overlook is that if your partner passes out, their tongue might fall back in their throat and continue to suffocate them.

Aspiration of Vomit, Mucus, Saliva

Sometimes a person can inhale their vomit, mucus, or saliva. This is very dangerous. Usually, a person will not draw the materials entirely into the lungs. The symptoms of aspiration of foreign materials are coughing, unconsciousness, cyanosis, cardiac arrest, and cessation of breathing.

In Conclusion

Breathplay or erotic asphyxiation is risky behavior. It does not necessarily mean that someone who enjoys it is sick or dysfunctional, as many people take significant risks with their health and life and are normal, healthy individuals. The bottom line is that there are other ways to experience sexual pleasure than risking your health and life. While we encourage people to always march to the beat of their drummer, we hope you do it safely.

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