A 2nd ESO student from the Santa Lucía Institute in Cartagena, Murcia, was taken to hospital after fainting and hitting her head during a morning performance with a partner. The incident involved a dangerous online trend where participants attempt to cut off oxygen to the brain for a few seconds without fully suffocating, often labeled as a challenge seen on social platforms.
The events unfolded at nine in the morning in the school courtyard while both students waited to begin an excursion planned for year 2. While waiting, younger students reportedly began to imitate strangulation for amusement. One student lost consciousness, collapsed, struck her head, and began to shake, according to witnesses cited by La Opinión de Murcia, part of the Prensa Ibérica group.
The institute staff immediately notified the regional Emergency Coordination Center, which dispatched an ambulance. When responders arrived, the underage student was conscious. After an initial assessment, doctors decided to transfer the student to a hospital for observation and further testing to ensure safety.
The case has been described as an instance of the so-called Blackout Challenge, a risky activity that involves temporarily interrupting the brain’s oxygen supply.
The challenge is said to document how the body responds to stopping and then restarting oxygen delivery, creating a sudden rush when circulation resumes. Participants may attempt to choke themselves directly or use household items such as ropes or cords to restrict airflow.
Public health authorities warn that such practices carry a high risk of brain injury or death. A US national health agency report from 2008 documented at least 82 young people who died in connection with choking games that year. Early warnings emphasize the danger of prolonged deprivation of oxygen.
In May 2022, a 13-year-old boy nearly choked to death after being assaulted by a classmate while attempting one of these viral challenges in Valencia. Earlier, in January 2021, a ten-year-old girl died in Italy while engaging in similar games.
TikTok issues a warning about the risk of the challenge
The platform, known for the numerous challenges it hosts, has implemented a protective protocol aimed at reducing self-harm prompts. When the search term Blackout Challenge is entered, related content is restricted and the user is directed to a help page that provides contact information for support resources.
From this prevention page, the message is clear: some online challenges can be dangerous, harmful, or even misleading. The page points users toward resources designed to prevent self-harm and encourage safer online behavior.