WARNING: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK; USE TO YOUR OWN DETRIMENT! IN MY PERSONAL OPINION IT SHOULD BE OUTLAWED IN BOTH SPORT AND DEFENSE!!!
As evidenced by the use of this method in a wide variety of cases it has become apparent it may be best to avoid using it in a self defense event. As you will see in the following a person has to be extreamly proficient in its application and must consider that in its use one must deal with considerable uncontrollable variables far and above other methods better suited for self-defense. In short, use at your own extremely dangerous risk!
Using a choke hold as a self-defense technique carries significant risks, both physically for the person being choked and legally for the person applying it.
Here’s an in-depth look at the dangers associated with choke holds:
1. Physical Risks
• Risk of Asphyxiation and Death: Choke holds restricts blood flow and air to the brain. If improperly applied or held for too long, they can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or even death. This is especially true with “vascular chokes” like the rear naked choke, which compresses the carotid arteries.
• Nerve Damage: Compression on the neck can cause damage to the vagus nerve or other nerves, potentially leading to long-term medical issues like paralysis, difficulty swallowing, or nerve pain.
• Neck and Spinal Injury: The neck is particularly vulnerable, and even slight misalignment during a choke can lead to cervical spine injuries, which could result in paralysis or even death.
• Respiratory Injury: Choke holds that compress the trachea, such as the “air choke,” can cause trauma to the windpipe, potentially resulting in life-threatening swelling or asphyxiation after release.
2. Psychological and Ethical Considerations
• Intense Fear Response: When choked, people often experience extreme fear and panic, which can escalate a self-defense situation unnecessarily. The psychological trauma of being choked can have lasting effects on both the victim and the individual applying the choke hold.
• Excessive Force: Choke holds are often viewed as excessive force in self-defense. Using them requires careful consideration of the specific threat level, as they are often seen as an escalation rather than a de-escalation tactic.
3. Legal Implications
• Misuse and Liability: Choke holds are often deemed as potentially lethal force and are sometimes banned by law enforcement agencies due to the risk of fatal outcomes. Courts often see their use as excessive, especially in situations where alternative control techniques could have been used. (Count on this being used excessively to put you away)
• Standards of Proportionality and Imminence: Self-defense laws typically require that any force used be proportionate to the threat faced. Because choke holds are inherently dangerous, their use can be difficult to justify legally unless it’s a last-resort measure in an immediate life-threatening situation. (Good luck with that)
• Risk of Criminal Charges: In self-defense cases, if a choke hold causes severe injury or death, the person who applied it may face criminal charges, particularly if it can be argued that less dangerous techniques were available. (And there are many other options and I personally believe the glorification of this method by the entertainment use of it promotes its use and practice!)
4. Practical Challenges in Application
• High Skill Requirement: Choke holds require precise application to be both effective and safe. Without proper training, there’s a higher chance of causing unintended harm, which increases both physical and legal risks.
• Difficult to Control: Unlike other restraint methods, choke holds can be difficult to disengage from once they’re applied. This can make it challenging to safely assess the effect of the hold and may lead to unintentional harm.
References
1. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Police Training Standards: The DOJ has set guidelines to restrict choke holds due to the high risk of fatal outcomes and has pushed for alternative restraint techniques in law enforcement.
2. Medical Research on Carotid Restraints: Studies from medical journals, such as those published in Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, highlight the risks associated with vascular restraints and their impact on brain and neck health.
3. Legal Case Studies and Self-Defense Law Analysis: Review of legal precedents in self-defense cases involving choke holds, as well as guidelines set by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has highlighted the dangers of choke holds in both civilian and law enforcement contexts.
If you’re considering using choke holds as part of your self-defense training (DON'T), seeking expert instruction and understanding the associated risks and legal restrictions is essential.
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