It is something that I prefer to keep in my r/w relations when I decide to indulge in it ... but let me tell you a story...
it was a long long time ago in a place not far from here.
There was this woman who was exploring her sexual needs/desires/appetites fresh from too many years being "good and monogamous".
She'd met a man via common "friends", they'd spent a long time conversing about their various desires, experiences and frustrations.
This led to them seeing more of each other and eventually going to a local bdsm event. She had a wonderful time, experienced things she'd not even known possible.
The evening found her soaking in a tub of warm water, her new lover came to help bath her, running his hands over her warm wet skin he let his fingers linger over her throat but then went on to other areas. But as she slid herself down under the water he once again allowed his hand to roam to her throat. His grip was strong but not overpowering, he'd remembered her particular interest in a story that involved breath play and also how wet she'd gotten earlier when watching a couple do a small demonstration of erotic breath play.
At first fear and panic flitted thru her mind as she realized he was not going to let her up ... just yet. But she also trusted this person immensely he had already taken her body and mind places she'd barely even allowed herself to imagine (and there were others who knew where she was and that she was with him
)
He held her there under the water, watching her face, her eyes as they began to open wide, was it fear or was it the most amazing moment of trust? For her it was both, for him it was the greatest "Gift" anyone had ever given him. This one brief moment led to other deeper conversations and further strengthened the foundation of their relationship.
BUT:
Trust is not only a gift, it is a treasure and can be, unfortunately broken, sometimes to never be forged whole again other times creating a newer and stronger bond.
So erotic asphyxiation has its time, place and proper preparation but then most things that we find titillating and deeply stimulating all have those aspects as well.