KNOCKOUT METHODOLOGY

The knockout. The climax of fighting. One punch… BAM! He’s down and out for the count!

How is it done? How does it happen? How does it feel to knock someone out?

To be or not to be…KNOCKED OUT!

3 General Rules of the Knockout

Rule 1: Always look out for, feel for and seize the opportunity to knockout the adversary.

Rule 2: If they wake up, they will wake up fighting or apologizing.

Rule 3: Never trust the unconscious…

Maybe they wake up, maybe they don’t. Either way, it could be bad.

          The physical interaction required to knock someone out has serious implications and must be looked at as a tool to be used when the situation has reached a point that requires potentially lethal force, although more lethal or weapon based means may not be appropriate or available. Rendering an individual unconscious from a choke or strike always has the potential of causing death.

This warning is likened to a surgeon informing a patient that the risk of death always exists, even for minor surgery. If you put someone under, they may not wake up. That being said, knockout methodology can be used as part of a measured response to violent encounters. Knockout methodology gives the fighter a strategic, surgical method for targeting an opponent’s central nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems; along with medical based solutions for the observation, control, restraint and reliable post knockout resuscitation of the adversary. 

Numerous cases of post knockout death and of Sudden In-Custody Death Syndrome (SICDS) are related to positional asphyxia due to either long term restraint by the officer/s or the restrained person’s own body weight blocking the airway or blood flow to the brain. Drug induced cardiac arrest is also a common symptom of SICDS. Not the initial knockout.

The 5 Methods

          A knockout can be reliably induced by 4 unarmed methods. (These methods easily translate to weapon based encounters). The 5^th method is concerned with the observation, control, and post knockout resuscitation of the unconscious adversary.

Method 1. A shock to the central nervous system. Some of the most effective means for causing a shock to the CNS are strikes to the nasal bone, chin, jaw line, temples, occipital area, carotid sheath, brachial plexus and vagus nerve. Incapacitation can be nearly instant. A CNS stun can last a very short time, without causing full incapacitation and ambulatory failure, or it can last many minutes with full unconsciousness and anywhere in-between. The goal is to “rattle” the brain, the spine and the nerve centers that control motor function. This is the fastest way to incapacitate an adversary with knockout methodology. 

Method 2. Interrupting the circulatory system by constricting the blood flow to the brain. Some of the most effective means of interrupting the CS are chokes focused to the side of the throat. Incapacitation can be a lengthy process.

Method 3. Interrupting the respiratory system by constricting the airway. One of the most effective means for interrupting the respiratory system is the choke with a focus toward the front of the throat. Incapacitation can be a lengthy process.

Method 4. The Multi-Point Knockout, or a combination of the above. For instance, a headlock can be thrown with enough force to jar the central nervous system. The fighter follows up by sinking the headlock into a choke that interrupts both the respiratory and circulatory systems of the adversary. Thus, a 3-point knockout. 

One should never execute a knockout technique and then stand back to look at one’s handiwork. Either ESCAPE THE AREA or follow up until the attack is nullified. Always maintain situational awareness. Turn your head and scan for threats...

Method 5. Resuscitation of an unconscious adversary. Situations may arise that require the fighter to nullify the adversary through the application of one of the above knockout methods and then maintain the welfare and custody of the subject. For instance, a special operations unit may have the need to render a target unconscious for the initial phase of a military interdiction; only to resuscitate the subject after being restrained for evacuation and interrogation. A police officer or security professional may have the need to knockout a combative subject in order to effect arrest and restraint during a fight, yet maintain the safe custody and transportation of the prisoner.

A)  Maintain situational awareness. If danger is still present, evacuate or escape the area.

B)  Assume the adversary is faking it.

C)  Call for help. (EMS, police backup, etc.)

D)  Observe the adversary and search for weapons.

E)  Restrain the adversary’s hands behind the back if possible or appropriate. (This can induce positional asphyxia, especially in obese individuals and individuals with cardiac illness). Maintain safety and security. Individuals may snore, gag and convulse in this unconscious condition. 

*NOTE: IF SPINAL INJURY HAS OCCURRED DURING THE COURSE OF THE FIGHT, FURTHER MOVEMENT OF THE SUBJECT AT THIS POINT COULD WORSEN THE INJURY. 

F)  Maintain C-Spine. Control the head and neck with your hands. Turn the adversary's body in unison with the head to clear the airway. ABC (Airway Breathing Circulation) Open the adversary’s airway by rolling them to their back and performing the Head-Tilt-Chin-Lift Maneuver. Ensure the airway is unobstructed. Verbally stimulate and influence the subject by telling them to “wake up & stay calm”. 

G)  Check for circulation/ pulse. If no pulse is found, begin CPR and treat for shock. Call for a medic.

TURN YOUR HEAD AND SCAN FOR THREATS...

DISCLAIMER: Consult a medical professional for further information. This is not to be construed as medical advice. 

Gonkafied

Bryan M. Seaver

COPYRIGHT JULY, 2012 INSTITUTE OF MODERN COMBATIVE SCIENCES

 Bryan Seaver, Nashville, TN.