Neck Holds

Abstract

The neck hold is a restraint technique in which a person is restrained by use of a hold that employs manipulation of the neck. Neck holds have been used extensively by law enforcement personnel for physically restraining and gaining control of violent subjects. Choke holds and carotid sleeper holds are types of neck holds that have been employed by law enforcement. Neck holds utilize the mechanism of temporarily disrupting the blood flow to the brain and rendering the subject unconscious. Additionally, neck holds have been used for decades in the sport of judo with tremendous safety. Occasionally, deaths have occurred during or just after the application of a neck hold and the etiology of the death is often attributed to the actual maneuver itself. In these cases, careful examination must be given to the type of hold, the application, surrounding circumstances, and the associated physical findings. This chapter reviews the history and types of neck holds, safety, deaths, and clinical research associated with neck holds. The anatomy of the neck is defined to offer a better understanding of the effects these holds can potentially have on an individual. The different types of neck holds, including their applications, the potential risks, and complications, are discussed. Finally, there is a discussion about the management strategies for patients who are placed in neck holds and the potential need for medical assessment.