Can't bi me love: Can David Carradine's death teach us about safe autoerotic asphyxiation?

If David Carradine's untimely and kinky death has taught us anything, it is that one cannot safely practice autoerotic asphyxiation (AEA), which refers to intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. It is also called asphyxiophilia, autoerotic asphyxia, or breath control play. The consensus I've gotten from several Chicago-area Mistresses is that in order to safely practice breath play, one should avoid the neck, and anything that puts pressure on the carotid body or the wind pipe. One Mistress told me, "The idea is that alone, anything you do should immediately release if you black out. I'll play with hands and nose pinching and masks, but I do not use nooses or garrots." And this was when we were talking about Scrabble. The breath play talk came later.

One could, in theory, practice breath play on their own by simply holding their breath while jerking, but studies suggest that it's not simply withholding oxygen that's arousing, but the danger involved. It's similar, I think, to why people jump out of airplanes or watch Martha Stewart - because we are masochists who get off on the rush of near-death experiences.

Just how risky is AEA? According to Slate, statistics on AEA are not that accurate, since they are often reported as suicide. But the FBI estimates that it accounts for 500 to 1,000 deaths a year. Following closely behind is the Jr. High "choking game," commonly practiced by teenagers strangling their friends, which caused 65 deaths in 2007.

In summation, doctor-approved forms of autoerotic asphyxiation include yoga, Lamaze classes and breathalyzer tests. Hot.

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