# How does manual strangulation work?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 13, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336 "2014-05-13T12:13:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Tarcek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarcek)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/1 "2014-05-13T12:13:25Z")
Now slow down! This is for a book im trying to write, and i cant find any information anywhere on this specifically. I thought id try asking here đ
This is specifically manual with the hand or hands, not with the arms, strangulation (so blood, not air. everything i can find talks about air chokes).
Can it be done with one hand or wouldnât that apply enough pressure? If i place a hand over the front of my own neck it seems like it should be possible because i can feel my pulse on both sides, so squeezing would have that effect, right?
And what exactly happens when the blood flow is cut off like that? What would the recipient feel?
Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/2 "2014-05-13T12:24:47Z")
The carotid artery on the side of the neck is an obvious weak point, the Master speaks on what trauma to it is likely to cause;
> [@Cecil](#):
>
> Pressure on the carotid sinus, an especially sensitive area where the artery divides into two branches, can damage the blood vessel walls, leading to stroke followed by partial paralysis, other neurological problems, and, once in a while, death. The precipitating event can be surprisingly trivialâa karate chop has been known to do it, but so has the strain of playing the French horn.
> **[Is the âninja death touchâ real?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343643/is-the-ninja-death-touch-real)**
---
### Author:  [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/3 "2014-05-13T12:46:35Z")
Someone properly strangled simply passes out. It occurs when you compress the carotid artery enough to occlude blood flow. People will pass out when only one side is occluded. In Judo we perform a range of strangles (shimi-wasa), but typically they involve either using the collar of the judogi, or your arm (naked strangle), as a brace - to enable enough force to be applied. (There are also ones using the legs.) Trying to strangle someone with a hand grip is not likely to work if they are uncooperative - which we assume they will be.
It isnât trivial, and learning exactly the right spot to apply pressure, and how to apply enough pressure for long enough takes practice. It is easy to apply pressure in the wrong spot and get no result. Done right a strangle can have an opponent unconscious before they realise the technique is being applied - although that is unusual. One does feel a light-headed wooziness when a strangle is being applied effectively - a sign to tap out right away.
I do notice that there is confusion about the terminology of chokes versus strangles in a lot of judo descriptions. Technically actual chokes (ie attacking the air supply) are not legal in judo - although this is sometimes hard to referee. Proper strangles are quite legal. But somehow some sources call Judo strangles âchokesâ - which they emphatically are not.
---
### Author:  [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/4 "2014-05-13T13:10:18Z")
> [@Tarcek](#):
>
> Can it be done with one hand or wouldnât that apply enough pressure?
Itâs possible to do it with two thumbs - one on each artery (on either side of trachea). You have to press pretty firmly, but itâs possible to do so without restricting the flow of air in the trachea. With a compliant subject, you could even do it with one hand: thumb on one side, index finger on the other. Itâs not so much a pinching/clamping action. Instead, itâs about applying pressure, pushing the arteries against the underlying flesh.
> [@Tarcek](#):
>
> And what exactly happens when the blood flow is cut off like that? What would the recipient feel?
**Francis Vaughan** mentions âlight-headed wooziness,â which I think doesnât quite cover it. âAltered consciousnessâ seems more accurate. I used to do something similar when I was a kid: I would stand next to a desk or countertop and (with straight arms) put my weight on my palms, letting my shoulders relax and slump up firmly against my chin. I didnât realize it at the time, but this actually was constricting my carotid arteries and altering my consciousness. Itâs more complicated than just dizziness; thereâs a sense of detachment, disconnection. When blood flow is restored, thereâs a weird sense of disbelief as you come back to normal, thinking âwow, is this my life? Iâm really _here_?â
:dubious: Sorry, hard to describe if you havenât experienced anything similar.
---
### Author:  [@Tarcek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarcek)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/5 "2014-05-14T10:19:53Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#):
>
> The carotid artery on the side of the neck is an obvious weak point, the Master speaks on what trauma to it is likely to cause;
> [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2509/is-the-ninja-death-touch-real](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2509/is-the-ninja-death-touch-real)
Well, that was certainly interesting đ
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#):
>
> Someone properly strangled simply passes out. It occurs when you compress the carotid artery enough to occlude blood flow. People will pass out when only one side is occluded. In Judo we perform a range of strangles (shimi-wasa), but typically they involve either using the collar of the judogi, or your arm (naked strangle), as a brace - to enable enough force to be applied. (There are also ones using the legs.) Trying to strangle someone with a hand grip is not likely to work if they are uncooperative - which we assume they will be.
> It isnât trivial, and learning exactly the right spot to apply pressure, and how to apply enough pressure for long enough takes practice. It is easy to apply pressure in the wrong spot and get no result. Done right a strangle can have an opponent unconscious before they realise the technique is being applied - although that is unusual. One does feel a light-headed wooziness when a strangle is being applied effectively - a sign to tap out right away.
>
> I do notice that there is confusion about the terminology of chokes versus strangles in a lot of judo descriptions. Technically actual chokes (ie attacking the air supply) are not legal in judo - although this is sometimes hard to referee. Proper strangles are quite legal. But somehow some sources call Judo strangles âchokesâ - which they emphatically are not.
Thats all helpful, thankyou! I wish i could think of more to say because i feel kinda bad about replying to paragraphs or information with just a sentence. đ
> [@Machine\_Elf](#):
>
> Itâs possible to do it with two thumbs - one on each artery (on either side of trachea). You have to press pretty firmly, but itâs possible to do so without restricting the flow of air in the trachea. With a compliant subject, you could even do it with one hand: thumb on one side, index finger on the other. Itâs not so much a pinching/clamping action. Instead, itâs about applying pressure, pushing the arteries against the underlying flesh.
>
> **Francis Vaughan** mentions âlight-headed wooziness,â which I think doesnât quite cover it. âAltered consciousnessâ seems more accurate. I used to do something similar when I was a kid: I would stand next to a desk or countertop and (with straight arms) put my weight on my palms, letting my shoulders relax and slump up firmly against my chin. I didnât realize it at the time, but this actually was constricting my carotid arteries and altering my consciousness. Itâs more complicated than just dizziness; thereâs a sense of detachment, disconnection. When blood flow is restored, thereâs a weird sense of disbelief as you come back to normal, thinking âwow, is this my life? Iâm really _here_?â
>
> :dubious: Sorry, hard to describe if you havenât experienced anything similar.
No need to be sorry, this is alot more than i had before. đ
How on earth did i stumble upon this haven of information. Youre all glorious.
---
### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/6 "2014-05-14T13:51:51Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#):
>
> One does feel a light-headed wooziness when a strangle is being applied effectively - a sign to tap out right away.
If you donât tap out right away, if you think they donât _quite_ have the hold good enough, and you may still fight your way out, you go from feeling light-headed to waking up with everyone looking at you.
The aftermath is not particularly unpleasant, more embarrassing than anything else, though itâs probably smart to rest up a bit.
---
### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/7 "2014-05-14T14:03:03Z")
**How does manual strangulation work?**
Hold still and I will demonstrate.
---
### Author:  [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/8 "2014-05-14T16:07:49Z")
> [@Tarcek](#):
>
> This is for a book im trying to write âŚ
The Manual Strangulation Manual?
---
### Author:  [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/9 "2014-05-14T16:14:11Z")
> [@Bozuit](#):
>
> The Manual Strangulation Manual?
The Spanish translation is Manuelâs Manual Strangulation ManualâŚ
---
### Author:  [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/10 "2014-05-14T16:21:49Z")
> [@jayjay](#):
>
> The Spanish translation is Manuelâs Manual Strangulation ManualâŚ
which he wrote by hand, thereby making it Manuelâs Manual Manual Strangulation Manual.
---
### Author:  [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/11 "2014-05-14T16:29:24Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#):
>
> which he wrote by hand, thereby making it Manuelâs Manual Manual Strangulation Manual.
Actually the full title is _Strangling A Man Well: Manuelâs Manual Manual Strangulation Manual._
---
### Author:  [@Tarcek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarcek)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-manual-strangulation-work/688336/12 "2014-05-14T20:44:13Z")
Why would i write a manual on strangulation? Its a manual on erotic breathplay! (not really)