Editor's note: The following story was written by Danielle Hibler, a 15-year-old Canon-McMillan High School sophomore. She researched the article on the Internet and wrote the story for the high school newspaper, the C-M Times, but Canon-McMillan officials blocked its publication. The story is published on the Web with the permission of Danielle and her parents, Dean and Karen Hibler of Cecil, Washington County.

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Why would a fun-loving, popular 15-year-old student want to commit suicide? That is exactly what Kimberly "Kimber" Wilson's mother thought as she found her daughter slumped below her dresser with a plastic bicycle chain attached to the dresser with a belt wrapped around her neck.

The "choking game," also known as the pass-out game, fainting game, dream game, space monkey, American dreaming game, tingle game or simply "blackout," is a dangerous game that is on the rise among teens. Teens looking to get a cheap "high" temporarily deprive themselves of oxygen, forcing themselves to pass out. These teens are alarmingly unafraid of the deadly consequences and will do anything, anywhere, anytime to achieve this high.

These same teens believe that because they are not using illegal or controlled substances to obtain the "high" that they are in no danger and are not doing anything wrong. This is not true at all. In fact, according to connectwithkids.com, Dr. Ashraf Atala, a child psychiatrist, says this behavior is "a very dangerous play where that person deprives his or her brain of oxygen. By reducing the blood pressure the brain basically starts an irreversible process of dying." He also adds that if he or she does survive, they will be left with permanent brain damage.

Teens are participating in the choking game at many places and in various ways. The game, which was once known only as a group activity, has been around for many years and has now become a dangerous practice that teens will try on their own. Though trying the game with friends is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted, trying the game alone is even more dangerous. When teens trying to play the game alone achieve their goal of unconsciousness, they are unable to loosen whatever is blocking their airways. As a result they remain in an unconscious state and, according to wikipedia.com, they may also experience strokes and cardiac arrest.

Though the game is dangerous and alarming, it is not illegal. Because of this, many of the game's participants feel that it is not wrong. In the Post-Gazette article by staff writer Katy Buchanan, "Choking to death as a 'game'," City of Pittsburgh police officials state that they do not believe that the choking game is not a problem around Pittsburgh. However, Tammy Ewin, Pittsburgh Police spokeswoman, stated that deaths related to this activity are not tracked and are often simply ruled as suicides. Because they are not tracked, it is impossible to have any statistics.

Over the past few years, deaths related to the choking game are increasing. Likewise, 15-year-old Kimber Wilson of Lawrence, Kan., was an avid player of the pass-out game. After the summer of 2003, when one of Kimber's friends decided that it would be fun to teach her the game, Kimber was told, "It'll feel like you're falling." The game sounded great to Kimber, Though Kimber was a devout Christian who never drank or partied, she loved taking risks and the feeling she got when she went on roller coasters. Kimber begged her friend to try the game on her. The moment Kimber felt the rush she knew the game was for her. The two girls spent the next few hours making each other pass out. After Kimber learned the game she attempted to teach it to numerous people, including her 12-year-old sister.

One morning as Kimber and her friend Melissa were hanging out in Kimber's room, Melissa pulled the sheets off Kimber's bed and noticed a red bike chain tangled in the sheets. Melissa questioned why Kimber would have a bike chain in her bed. Quickly, Kimber picked up the chain and tossed it across the room, saying, "Oh, it's nothing." When Melissa persisted, Kimber snapped back at her. Not wanting to cause a fight, Melissa quickly changed the subject.

Nine months later, on Aug. 9, 2005 at 11 a.m., Kimber's mom, Carol, went into Kimber's room to wake her up. Carol opened the door only to find that Kimber was not in her bed. Scanning the room, she saw Kimber slumped against her dresser. She appeared to be sitting but a second look revealed that she was not touching the floor. Carol walked over to Kimber and noticed something red around her neck. It was the bike chain, and it was attached to Kimber's dresser. Screaming for her other daughter to dial 911, Carol detached the belt and carried Kimber's lifeless body to her bed.

The paramedics arrived moments later. Because of formalities, the police had to investigate the case as a homicide. Upon questioning Kimber's sister, Susan, they were informed about Kimber's dangerous obsession with the choking game. When Mrs. Wilson found out that the game even existed she was shocked. Even more shocking was the fact that this game killed her daughter. Kimber's friend, Lauren, is filled with regret because she did not notify Kimber's parents about the game.

Lauren told Seventeen Magazine, "If I had [told Kimber's parents] they could've informed Kimber." Lauren also says that she had no idea that the game was so dangerous. "But it is. And now she's gone."

According to Mary Fisher, who published an article, "Thrills That Kill," about 1,000 juveniles die each year because of the choking game. If you or anyone you know is taking part in the choking game, please seek help immediately. The Canon-McMillan Student Support Team and guidance counselors are always willing to assist any student. This is a game that should be taken extremely seriously. There is no time to lose. Another of Kimber's friends urges everyone to stop playing the game saying, "Please tell everyone that this game is dangerous. Please, stop this game now."

For more information about Kimber's story, visit kimberwilson.com.