author, editor
153
edits
Breath play: Difference between revisions
→Known incidents: Add link to incident report
(→Risks and risk mitigation: - Moved specific discussion about risks of carotid compression to separate article.) Tag: 2017 source edit |
(→Known incidents: Add link to incident report) Tag: 2017 source edit |
||
| (8 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
| health_risk = High | | health_risk = High | ||
| legal_risk = Moderate | | legal_risk = Moderate | ||
}}'''Breath | }}'''Breath play''' (also called '''breath control''') is the intentional interference with the natural oxygen-based gas exchange of the human body for the purposes of sexual gratification. When performed specifically to restrict oxygen to the brain, this is called '''erotic asphyxiation''' (or when performed alone, '''autoerotic asphyxiation)'''. Breath control is a high-risk [[kink]] and a common cause of fatalities in kink-related incidents. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
| Line 98: | Line 98: | ||
== Appeal<!-- Describe the reasons why people participate in this kink. --> == | == Appeal<!-- Describe the reasons why people participate in this kink. --> == | ||
=== Euphoria === | |||
Hypoxia with or without hypercarbia commonly causes a sense of euphoria. The causal relationship of this is not clear; it may be related to a release of endogenic endorphins, alteration to the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, or to cerebral vasodilation. The euphoric effect can enhance sexual pleasure. | |||
=== Loss of control === | |||
Especially when combined with [[bondage]], breath control can cause an elevated level of helplessness or panic. This may be a desired goal in a BDSM scene. As breathing is an integral component to staying alive, ceding control of it to another person can be a significant symbol of submission. | |||
== Methods<!-- Describe the techniques and approaches for how this kink is typically performed. --> == | == Methods<!-- Describe the techniques and approaches for how this kink is typically performed. --> == | ||
=== Mouth and/or nose occlusion === | === Mouth and/or nose occlusion === | ||
The blocking of air from reaching the mouth and nose. | |||
For example: | |||
* Hand/Glove over mouth (HOM/GOM) | |||
* Gas masks (Hand over intake, valves, restrictors) | |||
* Swimcap over face/head | |||
* Dedicated breath control hoods | |||
=== Rebreathing === | |||
Rebreathing is the act of breathing in air that has already been exhaled. This is mostly done by means of an air bladder connected to a gas mask or a dedicated breath control mask/hood. | |||
=== Neck compression === | |||
Where pressure is added to the neck to halt breathing or restrict bloodflow to the brain. | |||
For example: | |||
* Choking | |||
* Ligature strangulation | |||
* Hanging | |||
==== Carotid compression ==== | ==== Carotid compression ==== | ||
| Line 111: | Line 135: | ||
==== Nitrous oxide ==== | ==== Nitrous oxide ==== | ||
See main article at [[nitrous oxide]]. | |||
==== Co2 gas addition ==== | ==== Co2 gas addition ==== | ||
== Risks <!-- Describe the risks of this kink. -->== | |||
== Risks | |||
Breath control is an extremely high-risk form of play. The specific risks depend on the details of the scene, but can include: | Breath control is an extremely high-risk form of play. The specific risks depend on the details of the scene, but can include: | ||
| Line 127: | Line 149: | ||
* Lung injury | * Lung injury | ||
== Risk mitigation <!-- Describe the risk mitigation for this kink. --> == | |||
Many forms of breath play cannot be made completely risk-free, so full consent is incomplete without an understanding and acceptance of risk. Risk mitigation involves careful planning of a scene to ensure any method to restrict airflow or blood flow is [[fail-safe]]. | Many forms of breath play cannot be made completely risk-free, so full consent is incomplete without an understanding and acceptance of risk. Risk mitigation involves careful planning of a scene to ensure any method to restrict airflow or blood flow is [[fail-safe]]. | ||
| Line 152: | Line 175: | ||
== Known incidents<!-- Provide a list of links to articles describing incidents involving this kink. --> == | == Known incidents<!-- Provide a list of links to articles describing incidents involving this kink. --> == | ||
=== Medical case reports === | |||
There have been many cases within the kink community of accidental deaths related to breath control, primarily solo breath control. In the Western countries, the incidence of these deaths is of approximately 0.5 deaths per million inhabitants per year. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sauvageau |first=Anny |date=2013-12-01 |title=Current Reports on Autoerotic Deaths—Five Persistent Myths |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0430-z |journal=Current Psychiatry Reports |language=en |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=430 |doi=10.1007/s11920-013-0430-z |issn=1535-1645}}</ref> | |||
=== RACKWiki incident reports === | |||
[[Incident:IR-202308-1:_Fatality_from_nitrous_oxide-induced_hypoxia|IR-202308-1: Fatality from nitrous oxide-induced hypoxia]] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | |||