Chokeholds and Children

Whether children are mature enough to learn chokeholds is complex and requires consideration of multiple factors. On the one hand, children may be physically capable of executing a chokehold. Still, on the other hand, they may not have the necessary emotional or cognitive development to handle the consequences of using such a technique in a high-stress violent confrontation.

In terms of physical capability, children may be able to execute a chokehold if they are adequately trained in martial arts. However, it is essential to note that chokeholds can be extremely dangerous and lead to severe injury or death if misapplied. Therefore, any child learning a chokehold should be thoroughly trained by a qualified martial arts instructor and only use a chokehold as a last resort in life-threatening self-defense situations.

When it comes to emotional and cognitive development, children may not have the maturity to handle the consequences of using a chokehold in a high-stress violent confrontation. As a result, children may not fully understand the severity of the situation or the potential consequences of their actions, and they may not have the necessary judgment or decision-making skills to handle the situation appropriately.

In terms of a martial arts instructor's potential liability, if a child kills or severely injures someone with a chokehold that was taught in their martial arts class, it is possible that the instructor could be held vicariously liable if it is determined that they were negligent in their training or supervision of the child. For example, the instructor failed to teach the child the proper technique, inadequately assessed the child's readiness to learn the technique or the child misinterpreted a seizure that resulted from being strangled too long as a continued struggle to fight against the chokehold, subsequently killing their opponent. In that case, the instructor could potentially be held responsible for any injuries or damages that result.

In conclusion, while children may be physically capable of executing a chokehold, they may not have the necessary emotional or cognitive development to handle the consequences of using such a technique in a high-stress violent confrontation. Furthermore, martial arts instructors are responsible for adequately teaching and supervising their students, and they could be held vicariously liable if they fail to do so. Therefore, children and instructors must understand the potential risks and consequences of learning and using chokeholds in martial arts training.

Facts instructors, parents, and students of chokeholds should know: An average adult male can go into an anoxic seizure from being placed in a chokehold for only 11-14 seconds, loss of bowel control can occur in about 15 and death/ceasing of respiration begins at 62 seconds. Imagine a chokehold being placed on another child in a schoolyard fight; things can go from bad to worse in seconds and have life-changing consequences.

When brain cells die for lack of oxygen, they don't grow back.

Written by,

Alex Smith, Just Tactics LLC