{"id":20225,"date":"2023-09-10T09:14:25","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T14:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=20225"},"modified":"2023-09-10T09:14:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T14:14:28","slug":"is-getting-choked-out-dangerous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/is-getting-choked-out-dangerous\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Getting Choked Out Dangerous?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
A grappler’s most dangerous weapons are his strangulations. While strikes and joint locks can be endured with strong enough will and determination, choking someone out of consciousness brings finality to a conflict like few other things can. Getting choked out is not rare in BJJ and MMA competitions, but how dangerous is it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Losing consciousness due to strangulation is called getting choked out in martial arts; for most people, it is not too dangerous. Studies and analyses show that if the choke is held for less than one minute, it has no lasting damage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Does this mean you are left only with the bad sensations that go hand in hand with chokes? For the most part, yes, but there are situations, conditions, and details every BJJ practitioner should know and be fully aware of the dangers of strangulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting choked out means losing consciousness due to strangulation or a choke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technically speaking, a choke is a technique restricting the airflow to the lungs, while strangulation is the action of closing the carotid arteries in the neck, thus stopping the blood and airflow to the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In reality, both chokes and strangulation are commonly referred to as chokes in jiu-jitsu but are divided into two main categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air chokes consist of compression to the neck, which blocks the trachea, larynx, or laryngopharynx. They are extremely unpleasant and often excruciatingly painful and can lead to a sore throat<\/a>, changes in voice, gagging, and other similar pleasant conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But the windpipe is rigid enough that it’s difficult to be completely shut off, and getting choked out by an air choke requires minutes of pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, blood chokes cause you to be “choked out” and lose consciousness. Blood flow to the brain is supplied by two major pathways: the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The internal carotid artery lies at the angle formed where the back of the jaw meets the neck and is very susceptible to compression. Compressing these arteries is the goal of a well-executed blood chokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A tight blood choke restricts the blood and oxygen flow to the brain and renders a person unconscious. This process takes only about 8 to 14 seconds, so blood chokes are considered the most effective submission type. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike air chokes and painful submission holds, which can be endured by the sheer power of will or even by sacrificing a limb, a blood choke will put you to sleep regardless of your mental fortitude and desire to win. It’s simple biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am sure you’ve seen a lot of people get choked out in competition and even in the gym; perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself. Once the pressure on the neck is relieved, consciousness is quickly regained without needing outside help. But this begs the very important question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How safe is getting choked out?<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Anatomy Of Being Choked Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Does Getting Choked Out Cause Permanent Damage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n