Strangling

"Strangulation" redirects here. For bowel strangulation, see Strangulation (bowel). For domestic violence strangulation, see Strangulation in domestic violence.
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A cheetah strangling an impala, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa

Strangling or strangulation is compression of the neck that may lead to unconsciousness or death by causing an increasingly hypoxic state in the brain by restricting the flow of oxygen through the trachea.[1] Fatal strangulation typically occurs in cases of violence, accidents, and is one of two main ways that hanging causes death (alongside breaking the victim's neck).

Strangling does not have to be fatal; limited or interrupted strangling is practised in erotic asphyxia, in the choking game, and is an important technique in many combat sports and self-defense systems. Strangling can be divided into three general types according to the mechanism used:[2]

  • Hanging — Suspension from a cord wound around the neck
  • Ligature strangulation — Strangulation without suspension using some form of cord-like object (ligature) called a garrote
  • Manual strangulation — Strangulation using the fingers (hands) or other extremity
  1. ^ Ernoehazy, William; Ernoehazy, WS. "Hanging Injuries and Strangulation". emedicine.com. Retrieved 3 March 2006.
  2. ^ Strack, Gael; McClane, George. "How to Improve Investigation and Prosecution of Strangulation Cases". polaroid.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2006.