Choking – Arterial
Applying pressure to the carotid arteries to restrict blood flow to the brain, extremely dangerous and only for experienced individuals. Short Explanation: "Receiving" means you experience arterial choking; "Giving" means you administer it with extreme caution.
Interested in exploring Choking – Arterial with your partner?
Start Your ChecklistArterial restriction (often called "blood chokes") targets the carotid arteries on the sides of the neck, reducing blood flow to the brain. This approach is sometimes claimed to be "safer" than windpipe restriction, but this claim is dangerously misleading. Arterial restriction carries severe risks including death, stroke, and brain damage.
This guide provides information about arterial restriction while emphasizing that no choking technique is safe. Deaths occur regularly from arterial restriction. Anyone engaging in this practice accepts the possibility of killing their partner or dying themselves.
The information below is provided for harm reduction, not as endorsement of the practice.
Understanding Arterial Restriction
How It Works
Pressure on the carotid arteries reduces blood flow to the brain. Unconsciousness can occur within 10-15 seconds of effective restriction. The carotid bodies (pressure receptors in the neck) also respond to this pressure, potentially triggering dangerous cardiac responses.
Why It's Dangerous
Arterial restriction can cause: cardiac arrhythmia triggered by carotid body pressure (this can be fatal even after pressure is released), stroke from blood flow disruption, brain damage from oxygen deprivation, and death during or after the restriction. These outcomes can occur with brief, "controlled" restriction.
The "Safer Than Windpipe" Myth
Arterial restriction is sometimes marketed as safer because it doesn't damage the trachea. However, the mechanisms that cause death—cardiac events and stroke—operate regardless of whether the airway is restricted. Both approaches carry serious risk of death.
Critical Information
Speed of Unconsciousness
Effective arterial restriction causes unconsciousness in seconds—faster than most people realize. Once unconscious, the person cannot signal distress. The person applying pressure may not immediately realize their partner has lost consciousness. These seconds can be the difference between release and death.
Post-Release Risks
Risks don't end when pressure is released. Cardiac arrhythmias can occur or continue after release. Stroke symptoms might not appear immediately. Deaths have occurred hours after arterial restriction, without warning during the activity itself.
If You Choose to Proceed
Despite all risks, some people will practice arterial restriction. Harm reduction principles include: never use ligatures, keep all restriction to absolute minimum (seconds), release at the first sign of any change, watch for any symptoms afterward, and be prepared for emergency response.
Context and Considerations
Why People Practice This
The appeal of arterial restriction often includes: the power dynamic of controlling blood to the brain, the altered consciousness state before unconsciousness, the extreme vulnerability and trust involved, or the intensity of the practice itself. Understanding the specific appeal may help identify safer alternatives.
Alternatives to Consider
Hand placement on the neck without pressure provides visual and positional intensity without arterial restriction. Other extreme activities might fulfill similar psychological needs without the specific risks of neck restriction. Consider whether the appeal requires actual blood flow restriction or whether alternatives could satisfy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn to do this safely?
No technique makes arterial restriction safe. Martial artists with decades of experience have killed or been killed during practice. Training may reduce some risks but cannot eliminate the physiological mechanisms that cause death.
What are the warning signs during restriction?
Loss of consciousness, eyes rolling back, slumping, color changes, or any change in responsiveness require immediate release. However, cardiac events can occur without external warning signs. Monitoring doesn't prevent the dangers.
Is there a safe duration?
There is no proven safe duration. Deaths have occurred from brief restriction. The physiological triggers for cardiac events aren't reliably related to duration. "Just a few seconds" can still be fatal.
What should I tell emergency responders?
Be completely honest about what happened. They need accurate information to provide appropriate treatment. Delaying or obscuring information can prevent life-saving treatment. Medical professionals are bound by confidentiality.
Discover What You Both Desire
Create your personal checklist and compare with your partner to find activities you'll both enjoy exploring together.
Get Started FreeNo credit card required