People who are mentally ill or under the influence of drugs or alcohol are often impervious to pain. Extremely drunk people are frequently unaffected by the pain because alcohol will dull that portion of the brain where pain is registered. Carotid restraint is very effective in handling people with high resistance levels due to drugs, alcohol or mental rage.
Pressure is applied against the sides of the neck. The two common carotid arteries travel from the large aorta of the heart along both sides of the trachea to about the level of the Adam’s apple. At this point they divide into internal and external carotid arteries, both of which supply blood to the brain, face, eyes, and scalp. The slight enlargement of the arteries at this division is known as the carotid sinuses.
When pressure is applied against the carotid sinuses the heart slows down due to a stimulation of various nerves in the brain. This stimulation and slowing down of the heartbeat causes a drop in the blood pressure, which deprives the brain of an adequate supply of oxidised blood, the result is a loss of consciousness.
There is a risk in using this technique on people who are over sixty years of age, because they often have build-up of plaque on the interior walls of their blood vessels. Compression of these blood vessels may cause the plaque to break loose, which can cause a permanent stroke or blockage of an artery to the brain.
If the arteries are constricted for four or more minute, irreparable brain damage may result. A person can be rendered unconscious within four to fifteen seconds. Once the constriction is released and blood is allowed to again flow freely, the person will regain consciousness in 20 – 30 seconds.
The hold is applied by pressing your bicep against one side of the neck and the thumb side of your wrist on the other. Always keep your palm facing down so the hard portion of wrist is pressed against the artery. When the opponent regains consciousness he should be mentally subdued. Elevating the rear elbow, and pushing the front elbow down into his sternum exert control of the offender. The side of your head is against the back of their head forcing the head into a locked position. This pressure on the sternum restricts their breathing.
A nice advantage of the carotid artery hold over the chokehold is that there is very little fight once the hold is in place. This is because there is no pain involved, and it takes only a few seconds before the opponent becomes groggy and loses consciousness. The chokehold, on the other hand, causes pain, choking and panic and takes longer for loss of consciousness. The proper application of the carotid sleeper causes the persons airway to rest in the crook of the arm, eliminating damage to the trachea and larynx.
The carotid can be felt lying on front of the cervical spine by pushing aside the sterno-mastoid muscle. In strangling, you are squashing the carotid against the cervical spine, not allowing the blood to get through; the lack of oxygen to the brain is called hypoxia. In Jujitsu competition, if the referee sees strangulation is well applied, the referee has official jurisdiction to award the fight as they see fit before the choke out or strangulation is completed.

Expected Affects:
1 Mental Disorientation
2 Low levels of unconsciousness lasting up to 30 seconds.
3 Cessation of all motor activity

Veinous Compression – is applied to jugular vein. As veins are of a thinner consistency than arteries they are easier to compress.

Vagas Stimulation – the vagus runs parallel to the carotid artery, compression of this nerve can slow the heart rate.
The carotid arteries supply 70-80% of the blood to the brain. Vertebral arteries supplies 20 –30%of the blood that runs up the back of the neck.

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