officers are to use the choke holds to subdue violent suspects as a last resort, they should be properly trained and supervised by trained certified judo instructors. Then possibly there will be less misuse or abuse of the techniques of choking which, when used improperly, result in fatalities.
The number of fatalities resulting from the use of choke holds will decrease if the following procedures are followed:
1. Choke holds to be taught by trained and certified instructors:
• to be familiar with the anatomical structures of the neck and where the pressure is to be applied (carotid triangle)
• to know the physiology of choking, that only a small amount of pressure is needed to cause unconsciousness
• to recognize immediately the state of unconsciousness and to release the pressure immediately.
• to learn proper resuscitation methods if unconsciousness is prolonged
• to prevent aspiration of vomitus and not to place the restrained suspect face down. Keep the suspect under constant observation.
2. To revise the police training manuals to emphasize the above procedures. These are the procedures and principles taught by judo instructors which have prevented deaths caused by shime-waza in the sport of judo for over 100 years.