Hunting Blogs

20-Year-Old Dies From Gaming Overdose

By: Mark Kayser

Aug 01

I stumbled across an article about a 20-year-old who recently died in the U.K. from—get this—gaming. An autopsy revealed the young man died from a pulmonary embolism that occurs from sitting in one place too long without stretching one's legs. It's the same threat you and I face when we fly for extended periods. When we're cramped and can't move, one or more arteries can get blocked in our lungs.

My kids recently received their first Xbox, and I can guarantee you their time on it is strictly limited. I don't worry about the "gaming overdose" phenomenon occurring with my kids because they keep busy with sports, outdoor activities and ranch chores, but this is a real threat to kids and adults who get hooked on the addiction of gaming.

Just wait, sooner than later there will be warning labels on gaming systems highlighting their dangers. I can see it now: "WARNING: This product can cause both sudden and gradual death. Long periods of inactivity can lead to pulmonary embolism or obesity-related dangers. Please exercise regularly before and after use."

It should be common sense, but that seems to be as dated as my old-fashion flip phone. I'm sticking to my "dumb" phone and away from video games. I'll take my chances in the outdoor arena, where rattlesnakes and heatstroke provide real—not virtual—threats.

9 comments

# jwize
Monday, August 01, 2011 8:59 PM
20 years is not long enough. That Kid will never get to experience the joy of hiking through the rockies on a cold November morning or the thrill of the hunt on opening day. It is definatly time for parents to pay attention and get their children up and out of the house. My 3 kids are limited to the amount of time they can spend in front of the computer ,TV, and game systems.
# jkisamore2
Tuesday, August 02, 2011 11:08 AM
Too much gaming and too much tv. Sports, hunting, chores, how about yard clean up! Kids don't have enough responsibility these days and they don't know how to work!
# grangerboys
Wednesday, August 03, 2011 1:33 PM
the kid died doing what he loved,but i do not let my kids spend hours on the games. some people just cannot see how great the outdoors life is in all seasons .
# rhartsell2
Wednesday, August 03, 2011 2:53 PM
I'm 25....... so its a sad thought of what he'll miss out on. I'm outdoors as much as i can, and always look forward to an opportunity to take someone unfamiliar with the outdoors either hunting or fishing. A 20 year old will do what they want, but it should be a rude awakening to the parents of the younger generations. Take the time to get outdoors and make memories that will last forever, not to mention move towards a healthier lifestyle.
# npaul
Wednesday, August 03, 2011 3:53 PM
In my mind the worst part is that at the end of the day, there is nothing to show for a day of gaming. I have been guilty of allowing more time then I should slip by while I was playing some ridiculous video game and I have never been any better for it.
At the end of a day in the woods I am, at the least, a little healthier and I will have memories that will last a lot longer than my new "high score".
Life is a terrible thing to waste.
# AMARSH
Thursday, August 04, 2011 7:58 AM
Left up for my kids to see.
# josharp777
Thursday, August 04, 2011 12:15 PM
I agree with not "Living on video games", however I think its funny that so many of you put that you should hunt more instead for two reasons. First, not all hunting but most of it involves you Sitting in a blind or a stand for long periods of time, and is the same as sitting to long at a TV. Use common sense and stretch, in one case you are worried of getting a high score the other spooking the trophy. Same difference. Second, you are far more likely to die outdoors doing all of the above mentioned recommendations so don't think you are safer just because you outside. I love to be outdoors and game, I just do both responsibly.
# npaul
Thursday, August 04, 2011 1:40 PM
josharp777
I don't think it is an issue of safety. It is an issue of "too much of anything is bad." In order for you to suffer the same fate as this young man you would need to sit in one place for a LONG time. If you sat in a tree stand perfectly still for 10hrs you might run the risk of "death by sitting", but it's not likely.
You say you do both (hunting and gaming) responsibly and that is the way you should do it. The concern is not what is safer but what is more ridiculous. Sitting on your butt in front of the Xbox so long that it kills you is ridiculous.
The point is to be active and go outside. You could hunt, fish, throw a ball around or mow the lawn. Just getting up and walking out the front door would have saved this guy.
Just wondering, has anyone ever sat so long in a tree stand that they died?
# josharp777
Friday, August 05, 2011 5:55 PM
Agreed.

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