(from
Greek ''a-'', "without" and ''σφυγμός'' (sphygmos), "pulse, heartbeat") is a condition of severely deficient supply of
Oxygen to the body that arises from being unable to
Breath e normally. Asphyxia causes
Generalized Hypoxia , which primarily affects the tissues and organs most sensitive to
Hypoxia first, such as the
Brain , hence resulting in
Cerebral Hypoxia . Asphyxia is usually characterized by
Air Hunger but this is not always the case; the urge to breathe is triggered by rising
Carbon Dioxide levels in the blood rather than diminishing oxygen levels. Sometimes there is not enough carbon dioxide to cause air hunger, and victims become hypoxic without knowing it. In any case, the absence of effective remedial action will very rapidly lead to
Unconsciousness ,
Brain Damage and
Death . The time to death is dependent on the particular mechanism of asphyxia.
Asphyxia is used to maim or kill in
Capital Punishment ,
Suicide ,
Torture , and
War fare. It is also used non-fatally in
Martial Arts ,
Combat Sport s,
BDSM and during sex as
Erotic Asphyxia . Because the need to breathe is triggered by the level of
Carbon Dioxide in the blood, some victims may not experience an urgent need to breathe and may remain unaware of the onset of
Hypoxia .
Various chemical and physiological situations can interfere with the body's ability to absorb and use oxygen or regulate blood oxygen levels:
refers to the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the mouth and/or nostrils, for instance by covering the mouth and nose with a hand, pillow, or a plastic bag.Ferris, J.A.J.
Asphyxia . ''www.pathology.ubc.ca''. URL's last accessed
March 1 2006 (DOC format) Smothering can be either partial or complete, where partial indicates that the person being smothered is able to inhale some air, although less than required. Normally, smothering requires at least partial obstruction of both the nasal cavities and the mouth to lead to asphyxia. Smothering with the hands or chest is used in some
Combat Sport s to distract the opponent, and create openings for
Transitions , as the opponent is forced to react to the smothering. It is also used in
BDSM as a type of
Facesitting .
In some cases, smothering is combined with simultaneous compressive asphyxia. One example is , in which an adult accidentally rolls over an infant during
2006 .
compresses the chest, making it difficult for the person on the bottom to
Breath e.]]
(also called '''chest compression''') refers to the mechanical limitation of the expansion of the lungs by compressing the torso, hence interfering with breathing. Compressive asphyxia occurs when the chest or abdomen is compressed
2006 . In accidents, the term '''traumatic asphyxia''' or '''crush asphyxia''' is usually used to describe compressive asphyxia resulting from being crushed or pinned under a large weight or force. An example of traumatic asphyxia include cases where an individual has been using a
Car-jack to repair a car from below only to be crushed under the weight of the vehicle when the car-jack slips.
In fatal crowd disasters, contrary to popular belief, it is not the
2006 .
Chest compression is also featured in various
2006 .
Pressing is a form of
Torture or
Execution which works through asphyxia.
