DEFENSE AGAINST CHOKE AND BODY HOLDS

Contact attacks have the largest variety of applications, but also require the least degree of skill to overcome. The most common are: front and rear hold, front and rear chokes, and headlocks.

The most sensible technique of self-defense is to retreat in the face of an attack. However, the responsibilities of your duty will not allow this. Neither can you limit your action against an attack. Instead of merely defending yourself against an attack you must become the aggressor when attacked.

When placed in the role of the aggressor, however, your objective is NOT to destroy or maim your opponent; it is to overcome resistance to your lawful actions and to secure custody of the offender. The need to apply unarmed defense techniques when attacked at close quarters requires no further explanation or qualification. It would be as difficult a task to present here all known defenses for attacks as it would be for you to learn them. The following defenses are some of those you may be able to use in the situations described

Front Choke Hold

The offender has grabbed you around the throat and has started to choke you. With your hands at your side, bring them together, clasping your fingers to form a fist, bringing them straight up. With a powerful upward thrust, you should have broken the choking hold. Once the hold is broken, bring your clasped hands in a downward motion, striking the bridge of the nose. (NOTE: When doing this as practice, be careful with your partner. This can be very painful.) Another method of variation to this defense, is basically the same as previously mentioned, but instead of coming through the middle of the offender's arms, raise your arms overhead and clasp your hands together. With a powerful downward motion, smash your clasped hands into the offender's face and forearms. Follow up this move with a swift kick to the groin area. This will stop any aggressive move from the offender and give you a chance to regain your breath.

Rear Choke Hold

The offender has approached you from behind and has put his or her right arm (forearm) around your throat and is starting to crush your windpipe. The first thing you MUST do is turn your head into the crutch of that elbow. This prevents the person from crushing your windpipe and allows you to continue breathing. Next, twist slightly into that person (left to right) and reach up with your left hand and grab that person's shirt or coat. Take your right hand and do the same, but somewhat higher up. Now that you are somewhat sideways to the

offender, throw your hip into the offender's stomach, and give a powerful forward and right to left twisting motion. With this motion, you have not only broken the hold, but the person is now flat on the ground.

Front Body Hold

If you are grabbed from the front under your arm,

you can do several things since your arms are free. However, if an offender grabs you from the front and pins your arms down, immediately slide your right foot to the rear and flex your knees to maintain your balance.

Then strike the offender in the groin to make the offender break his or her grip. Encircle your left arm under and over the top of the offender's right arm with the palm of your left hand on top of his or her triceps muscle. Break the offender's balance by gripping the back of your left hand with your right hand and pull him or her forward and down into you. Place your left elbow in the offender's back then follow through with a rear arm lock.

Rear Body Hold

If an offender grabs you from the rear, immediately lower your weight by flexing your knees, shift your hips to the left and control the offender's arms by encircling your arms up and over the top of his or her arm. Stomp the instep of the offender's right foot with your right foot. Strike the offender in the groin with your right elbow. Grip the offender's right wrist with your right hand, sidestep to the right rotating his or her arm up and over your head as you sidestep. Twist the right wrist clockwise into your right hip; at the same time, grip the elbow with your left hand. With pressure on the elbow, sidestep to the right and take the offender to the ground; then drop your left knee in his or her back. Follow through with a rear arm lock.

Unarmed self defense is also presently being taught at MA training school at Lackland Air Force Base. Marine cadres attached to security departments are also available to provide proper training.

TECHNIQUES OF SEARCHING

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the various types of searches and the procedures and techniques used.

It is necessary to have a practical, working knowledge of the techniques of searching an offender.

Normally, three types of searches are used-standing, kneeling, and prone. We will discuss when and how a complete search of a suspect is done. Also covered will be simple and complete vehicle searches and premises searches.

When you believe a person to be armed or when you consider the person to be dangerous, proceed with the utmost caution. 'The following list of DON'Ts provides practical advise for the Master-at-Arms.

1. Don't be unnecessarily rough. Be firm and let the offender know you are in command of the situation.

2. Don't let the offender delay or make excuses. Insist that your orders be obeyed immediately.

3. Don't grant any requests until the search is completed.

4. Don't stand too close to an offender when you are armed-the offender may grab your gun.

5. Don't talk too much. Make your orders clear and concise.

6. Don't permit anyone to come between you and the offender. Keep away from pedestrians when streets are crowded and remove the offender from the street as soon as possible. While on a sidewalk, keep the offender between you and the buildings. If no better place is available, take the offender into a doorway.

7. Don't allow offenders to separate; keep them together. Keep the offenders between you and your partner.

8. Don't permit the offender to face you. If you think he or she is dangerous, make the offender turn away from you. Never place a gun against an offender even from behind, because he or she may attempt to take it away from you. Never go within kicking or striking distance of an offender when you have a gun in your hand.

9. Don't let an offender get the upper hand during the apprehension.

Now we will discuss and walk you step by step through the different types of Handcuffing/search positions.

STANDING REAR CUFF AND SEARCH POSITION

1. With subject facing you, identify yourself and explain that subject is under apprehension. Have subject put his arms straight out, parallel to the deck palms up, feet shoulder width apart. Instruct subject to turn slowly until he is told to stop (approximately 180). You are

looking for telltale signs or bulges that could reveal concealed weapons.

2. Instruct subject to stop turning when he is facing away from you. Have subject put his palms together behind his back with his fingers interlaced backs of his hands against his back.

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3. Instruct subject to move his hands (still interlaced) slightly away from his back toward you. Step in with your offhand ready to grab, strong hand up ready to protect you if necessary.

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5. Grip cuffs in the middle with both single bars facing forward. Move subject's hands over to the right side of his body, maintaining enough torque backwards on his hands to maintain control.

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4. Grab subject's interlaced fingers with your off hand from the top. Make sure to grab deep enough so that all of your fingernails are showing to the rear and your thumb is over his. Next grip subject's hands and torque them backwards.

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6. Place the bottom cuff on the subject's right wrist and push it on. After cuffing the right wrist, relax the torque enough so you can slowly separate the subject's hands.

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7. As the hands separate, maintain control of the right wrist with the handcuffs. Position the cuff on his left hand and push it on. Check the gap (tip of the index finger tight and double lock them).

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8. Have subject move his feet apart as far as possible. Grasp the handcuffs with your left hand and pull the subject's hands and arms slightly away and down from his body. Place your left knee behind subject's right knee, instep of your left foot beside subject's right instep. Search the small of the back first.

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9. Divide subject's body in half lengthwise. Start at subject's head and work down to his feet on half of his body. Use crushing and squeezing method to search every area of his body. Pay particular attention to his waist and groin area. If you think you forgot to search an area, research the entire side again. Be consistent and thorough throughout your search.

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10. When you complete the right side of his body switch your hands on the handcuffs. Then place your right knee behind subject's left knee, your right instep should be on the inside of his left instep. Repeat the above steps to complete the search of the subject.