How to Escape a Choke Hold

Many people believe if someone has you in a choke hold, you should grab their hands from around your neck and try to pry them off. There is actually a much more effective and easier way to remove yourself from a choke hold that can be used for either a front choke hold or a rear one.

Instructions

1. Raise both of your hands in the air when someone has grabbed you around the neck with their hands. As you do this, your shoulders naturally move up, thus loosening your attacker's grip on your neck and allowing you to breathe.

2. Turn your upper body towards the direction that you want to run. As you do this, take one arm and bend it at the elbow, twisting your body and bending your arm at the same time.

3. Bend your elbow and take a step with the leg that is the closest to the direction you will want to escape. While doing this, take your bent arm and hit the attacker's arms, knocking them out of the way, while stepping and turning your upper body.

4. Hit the attacker's arm, take a step and twist your body all at the same time, your neck should be free from the choke hold. Continue stepping away from the attacker, running if needed to escape to the nearest exit or to safety.

Tips & Warnings

• When someone has you in a choke hold, it's essential that you stay calm to get your bearings before trying to remove yourself from it.