For the "chokers"...

[Szczepankiewicz]

Three questions I would like your opinion on:


1) What is your personal definition of self defense?


2) In the context of your definition, is choking truly an act of self-defense?


3) Have you ever used a choke in a self-defense situation?

[DIRE WOLF]

Self defense to me means to protect yourself at any cost from being hurt by another. Choking is a form of self defense just like punching or even shooting some one under certain circumstances.
No I have never used a choke in a fight.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Cool

Good answer. Why haven't you used a choke? No opportunity or just not chosing to?

[Mukozune]

èouking a èiken

èouking a èiken iz selfdefence from females

[Mako]

I would define self-defense as; while in fear for your life or well-being, you inflict the minimal amount of damage onto your attacker in order to stop him.

In this context, I think chokes would be very easily defended (legally). No bruises, no broken bones, yet the ability to render an attacker completely helpless. It also looks FAR more benign to on-lookers, who probably wouldn't even spot a choke, rather than punching or kicking which is far more "offensive".

And no, thankfully, i've never had to use a choke for self-defense.

[edro]

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[iamdoomsday]

You might like this one. When I was 18 my dad asked me to go out in the yard, we had some sort of arguement and my dad is really hot headed, his temples were throbbing and he was red. anyway we started clinching and then somehow i got behind him and choked him out, my step mom was hollering at me so i let him go after i asked if he had enough. this was before i knew anything about self defense. and when i say that i mean literally i was a complete wuss, the nerds could beat me up. that was the last time i fought my dad but it proved to me the effects of a choke.

[dan downard]

Yes,a choke can be used in self defence.Chokes that are applied from the front while the aggressor is in your guard because he was way bigger than you, and thats where you had to go to keep from being mounted and beat on.Tee shirt chokes when you are the small guy in a losing position work well if the opportunity is there.Chokes with the legs are definatly a form of self defense.
You may get a rear naked eventually if you are trained and endure.If you are very good and can get it easily,it is a very good way to control and stop an aggressor.
To assume that one has to use a choke only as a form of offence is limiting to your defence.Sometimes using the immediate offence as a defence can end quickly what may have gotten out of your control.Isnt that what self defence is?Taking control of,or taking away the control of an aggressor?

[Dio]

I think Rickson Gracie said in an interview somewhere that he prefered to end fights with chokes becuase they don't hurt your opponent.

If you arm lock them, then you have to break their arm. If you heel hook them, you could break their knee and they will never walk right again. But that's their problem if they were trying to hurt you.

But if you choke them with a cartiod choke they will go unconsious without any damage done to their body.

My defenition of self defense is protecting yourself. And ending a fight is protecting yourself. To answer your second question. "is choking an act of self defense?" Yes it is. It is a very safe techniqe that stops the fight without doing any damage to your opponent. Now if you do a throat choke and cruch their wind pipe then that would hurt them. But as long as you make sure you turn it into a Cartiod choke then it will be safe.

I have never used a choke before in a self defense situation.

Choking is definatley the most humane and safe way to end a fight.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Excellent Answers by all

Thanks for the different perspectives.

I have been looking for "legal definitions" of self defence and haven't found anything useful. I truly believe that legislatures leave if vague on purpose.

In truth, I believe if a situation escalates to certain levels, any act can be explained as self-defense.

edro - Good examples. Most people only consider strikes as violent acts, while leaving the world of grappling wide open. Little do they know that grappling can be just as, if not more effective.