|
Chokes
May 11, 2005 19:10:33 GMT -5
Post by chamcham on May 11, 2005 19:10:33 GMT -5
I've always wondered about a couple of things.
1)What does "blood choke" mean? I often hear the term "blood choke" passed around, but it seems like every choke is in some way a blood choke.
2)Is there any difference in applying a choke to make someone pass out versus choking someone to strangle them to death?
I've often wondered how MMA fighters have no problem choking people without worrying that the other person will die. Also, it would seem that choking someone till they pass out is a very safe and bloodless way to end a real fight.
Thanks.
|
|
|
Chokes
May 11, 2005 20:44:36 GMT -5
Post by Randall Jones on May 11, 2005 20:44:36 GMT -5
This is a great question. A lot of people are somewhat confused about the difference between an "air choke" and a "blood choke," so hopefully I will be able to clear up any confusion.
A blood choke operates by directing disrupting the supply of blood to the brain. Examples of blood chokes would be rear naked chokes, triangle chokes, and anaconda chokes. Pressure is applied to the cartoid areas on both sides of the neck to achieve the desired disrupting effect. Unconsciousness typically results in ten seconds or less.
An air choke operates by disrupting the supply of air to the lungs. This is of course indirectly deprives the blood of air as well, and thus ultimately has the same effect as a blood choke of depriving the brain of oxygen. Pressure is applied to the trachea to disrupt breathing. A good example of an air choke would be the type of choke that Homer uses on Bart in the Simpsons. Unconsciousness typically results in thirty seconds or more.
Blood chokes are preferred to air chokes for two reasons. First, the blood choke is quite a bit safer to apply than the air choke. Since air chokes involve direct pressure on the trachea, there is the possiblity of inadvertently collapsing the windpipe. This of course is undesirable because the person will not be able to continue breathing even after the choke is released. Most choke related deaths fall into this category.
Second, blood chokes are significantly more effective than air chokes. Whereas air chokes may require thirty seconds or more until unconsciousness, blood chokes do the job in approximately ten seconds. This is because the effect of the air choke is essentially the same as holding one's breath, while the blood choke directly disrupts the flow of blood to the brain.
One of the most common misconceptions about blood chokes is that they directly cut off the flow of blood to the brain. Actually, this is not the case. If the arteries were obstructed, a person would turn ghostly pale and white. However, when these chokes are applied, the person instead turns red and eventually purple. This is because the veins that transport used blood out of the brain are instead obstructed. Blood is being pumped into the brain but cannot circulate out. This results in a significant pressure buildup in the brain that eventually prevents the flow of additional blood through the arteries. So although the blood choke directly disrupts blood flow to the brain, it does not actually cut off blood flow to the brain directly.
To answer your second question, there is really no difference in applying a choke to make someone pass out versus choking someone to kill them. The only difference is the length of time the choke is held.
It is safe to choke someone unconscious with a blood choke because the choke is released immediately. Although the brain has shut down, there is still a period of time, perhaps a minute or so, that the brain is capable of going without oxygen without permanent brain damage. Since the choke is released immediately upon unconsciousness, there is no brain damage and the choke is safe.
A blood choke held continously after unconsciousness is extremely dangerous. It will cause permanent brain damage and eventually death. This is the lethal form of the blood choke.
It is safe and humane to choke someone out in MMA or as a bloodless way to end a fight. Your opponent's body will go limp immediately upon unconsciousness and the choke should also be immediately released. A person choked unconscious in this matter will typically recover with no ill effects in 10-30 seconds or so.
Thanks for your question. I know my answer is long, but this is an important topic that I wanted to clear up.
|
|
|
Chokes
May 11, 2005 22:53:54 GMT -5
Post by Quantum Jim on May 11, 2005 22:53:54 GMT -5
That's kinda scary. Are there a lot of injuries/deaths in grappling practices from that? Is there a higher rate of brain damage?
|
|
|
Chokes
May 12, 2005 8:45:52 GMT -5
Post by Xander on May 12, 2005 8:45:52 GMT -5
Not really. The amount of time between unconsciousness and damage is at least 30 seconds. Most people can figure out that they won in that amount of time.
|
|