You might know breath play already by way of its more popular cousin autoerotic asphyxiation, i.e. "the kind of jacking off that kills people" (see the lists of celebrities who died from it). It seems like there's no question that if this is your thing, it's safer with a partner, and safer still if you've learned from an expert how to do it. See what I mean? This is a subject you'd be nervous to bring up around the responsible adults in your life, and that fear of getting kink-shamed could get you killed. They're doing the Lord's work here.
Not that Kinky Kollege is the only place that will teach you about safely choking yourself off. Sex-focused workshops and classes aren't entirely uncommon if you go looking for them. Signing up for something like that may be awkward, but not as awkward as an emergency room visit or accidental death. Speaking of which ...