This is a topic that we've written a lot about here, back in v. 3 of sf. No doubt some may see further discussion too much, but since there isn't anything being written in the forums, I thought I'd contribute a comment that is relevant.

A friend who, like me, is a pilot went for his FAA physical about a month back. Part of the test is a cardio stress test, in most cases carried out by the treadmill test. This is getting more stressful as the years go on and the FAA requires more, but it's no big thing...usually.

Except that this time the stress threw him into atrial fibrillation! (This is a condition where the beating of the heart becomes irregular, can go very fast, and can cause clots to form and be thrown into the blood stream - a potentially lethal thing.) Fortunately the doctor was monitoring the test, rather than a technician, he was taken to hospital and drugs administered and the fibrillation reverted to normal sinus rhythm within a few hours. The cardiologist who consulted said the heart was sound and that the fibrillation was most likely induced by the stress of the treadmill.

His medical certification is being held up temporarily but probably will be granted after Omaha reviews the case.

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What does this have to do with autoerotic asphyxiation? Well, atrial fibrillation is often induced in autoerotic asphyxiation, just by the stress of the experience. And in my friend's situation, it was induced by a simple diagnostic stress test. And it is not noticed by the person having it immediately, though it can result in fainting, congestive heart failure, palpitations. IT CAN BE FATAL, though not necessarily.

Just one of the possible consequences of a popular kinque which we all love...but which I have ceased to perform with my subs and slaves.

Alan