A new viral challenge sees people climb inside bin bags and then suck all the air out of them with a vacuum, but while their reactions are often funny the craze could actually be dangerous.
It seems things have been quiet on the viral trend front for the past few months, but of course once a new, funny activity makes its way on to the internet it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world catches on.
The latest trend is an incredibly simple one – much less taxing than the In My Feelings dance challenge that had people throwing shapes alongside moving cars – but it’s probably just as, if not more, dangerous.
Convinced one of my mates to do the #Vacuumchallenge 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/p1sbsG45nU
— TGboii 🏴 (@TGboiiGaming) June 2, 2019
By sucking the air out of the bag, the people inside become ‘vacuum packed’, with the bin bag clinging around their bodies so tightly that they often fall over. I can’t really see the appeal of the craze; I imagine I’d start to feel claustrophobic, but maybe it’s actually like being secured in a tight embrace?
Whatever the reason, people across the globe are getting involved, but experts have warned of the potentially extreme consequences of sealing yourself in a plastic bag.
According to Yahoo News, experts are concerned the trend has the potential to be dangerous as restricting the body in the way seen in the viral videos could lead to cerebral hypoxia.
@tjjackson @francesdjackson As summer break is looming. There's a new challenge for the kids to try. Believe me it's hilarious. Alesha is infectious. Have a go. They'll love it!! lool #trashbagchallenge #Vacuumchallenge pic.twitter.com/38RsKyLWE6
— Donna Williams (@aleshajae3t) June 4, 2019
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains cerebral hypoxia is a condition in which there is a decrease of oxygen supply to the brain even though there is adequate blood flow.
Drowning, strangling, choking and suffocation can all cause cerebral hypoxia, and symptoms of mild cerebral hypoxia include inattentiveness, poor judgment, memory loss, and a decrease in motor coordination.
Please DON'T do the vacuum challenge
— MARBLEYEZ (@marbleyez_cc) May 29, 2019
The site adds:
Brain cells are extremely sensitive to oxygen deprivation and can begin to die within five minutes after oxygen supply has been cut off.
Another risk is that of injury due to the inability to move your limbs. Many people are seen falling over in the trend videos, and it would be easy for someone to hurt themselves.
Pls beware of this deadly game named as "Vacuum challenge". Many stupid group of people are performing this task & passing on the challenge further. It demands one to pack himself in polythene bag & then suck it using vacuum pressure. It can choke your breath.#Vacuumchallenge pic.twitter.com/wSPN2MRXQm
— Sudhanshu Saxena (@sid_heartruler) June 4, 2019
Many people take part in the trend with the help of another person who operates the vacuum, but according to Latestly one teenager did the vacuum challenge by himself and ended up trapped for two hours while he waited for his parents to come and rescue him.
The challenge might seem entertaining, but I think it’s one of those trends we should leave behind before anyone gets hurt!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.