Strangulation

Stranglation is death by compressing the neck until the supply of oxygen is cut off. The process is called strangling.

A cheetah strangling an impala, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa

The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen. Strangling leads first to unconsciousness, then to death.[1] Fatal strangling may occurs in accidents, and other causes of violence. Strangling does not have to be fatal; limited or interrupted strangling is practised in erotic asphyxiation, in the so-called "choking game".

Choking yourself during masturbarion (the so-called choke wank) is dangerous because it is easy to lose control or consciousness doing it alone, and someone (usually a parent or carer, or significant other) needs to find them within minutes before permanent damage is done. They would also need medical training and to call emergency services.

Strangling is a technique in many combat sports and self-defence systems. It is a method of winning a judo bout. Usually the opponent submits; if not, he is "strangled out", that is, the hold is continued until he passes out and is then immediately released. Shime-waza, the judo term for this technique, has scored 97 times in World Judo events. No fatalities have resulted from it.[2]

There have been some deaths of suspects in police custody, where officers have used a "choke hold". Investigation suggested that this was because the officers' training had been inadequate. [2]

Strangling can be divided into three general types according to the mechanism used:[3]

• Hanging—Suspension from a cord wound around the neck
• Ligature strangulation—Strangulation without suspension using some form of cord-like object called a garrotte
• Manual strangulation—Strangulation using the fingers or other extremity