Types of neck holds:
(1) carotid sleeper
(2) choker hold with forearm
(3) choker hold with baton or nightstick
Major complications:
(1) death, often from cardiac arrhythmias
(2) stroke
(3) asphyxia
(4) pulmonary edema
Risk factors for complications:
(1) male over the age of 40 (associated with underlying cardiovascular disease)
(2) atherosclerosis of carotid and/or vertebral arteries and/or circle of Willis
(3) cardiac disease with susceptibility to arrhythmias
(4) mentally disturbed, especially psychotic and/or manic
(5) intoxication with street drugs and/or alcohol
(6) prescription drugs that predispose to cardiac arrhythmias
(7) struggling and combative
(8) sensitive carotid sinus
(9) seizure disorder
If a person dies following application of a neck hold, then attention should be paid to:
(1) carotid arteries
(2) vertebral arteries
(3) circle of Willis
(4) cerebral cortex
(5) thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone
(6) larynx
(7) trachea
(8) cardiac conduction system
(9) coronary arteries
(10) lungs for signs of pulmonary edema or aspiration
(11) toxicology
