Self Defense When A Choking Attack Happens …

A choking attack can happen in three ways, for the most part. The assailant may be behind you, in front of you, or on top of you if you are on the ground. No matter how big or how strong your assailant is, there are ways to get out of a choke hold, no matter which direction it comes from.

First note that if your attacker has his hands or arms around your throat, your legs are most likely free. If he is in front of you, obviously, your best defense is to first knee him in the groin as hard as you possibly can. Also, come down hard on the top of his instep with the heel of your foot immediately after kneeing him in the groin, if possible. Just be careful not to put yourself off balance.

If your attacker is behind you, first turn your head, if possible, so that your chin is in line with the elbow of the arm being used to choke you. This will protect your windpipe, but you need to keep your chin tucked downwards as well, so that your assailant cannot render you unconscious with a choke hold that affects the side of your neck.

Once your windpipe is protected, you must act quickly. Again, you can use the method of stomping as hard as possible with your heel on his top instep. If you can move your arms, try an elbow to the solar plexis, using as much force as possible. You can also reach around with your hands and grab or hit him in the groin.

If your assailant is sitting on you and choking you, with you in a prone position, the first thing you want to do is to try to reverse the positioning. Your attacker won't have very good balance at this point, because his hands are choking you, and cannot be used to aid his balance.

Instead of trying to buck him off, first start to roll your body in one direction, and as soon as he starts adjusting his body weight to prevent it, quickly roll in the other direction as far as you can. In order to break his fall, he will have to let go of your throat to catch himself with his hands.

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