During the years I’ve spent researching, updating, and performing my Restraint Asphyxia – Silent Killer presentation (since 1993), I’ve developed TWO EXERCISES to SAFELY give presentation participants a “teeny, tiny, taste” of how INAPPROPRIATE restraint positioning can INTERFERE WITH BREATHING.
Although significantly less-restrictive than the “REAL THING”, these two exercises allow participants to personally experience how very difficult breathing becomes if they are put in a position that interferes with their BELLY’s ability to move – even though the participant is RELATIVELY HEALTHY and WELL-RESTED prior to performing the exercises!
EXERCISE # ONE affords participants a teeny, tiny, TASTE of the respiratory
EXERCISE # TWO allows participants to experience how respiratory interference
BOTH these exercises are vitally important to participants recognizing the serious
interference that is caused merely by PRONE-positioning.
can be caused even when an individual is restrained in a SUPINE position,
IF the excursion of their ABDOMEN is interfered with.
DANGER of ANY kind of restraint that causes ABDOMINAL RESTRICTION.
[Exercise #2 also assists participants in their physical “RECOVERY” from the performance of Exercise #1!]
This webpage contains a “SCRIPT” that is interspersed with my RULES and DIRECTIONS for leading participants through these two exercises. It is also interspersed with explanation of the REASONS I came up with my rules and directions.
Once you have STUDIED the information provided on this page (reading this page at least two, three, or four times!), once YOU UNDERSTAND the reasons for my rules and directions, you can PRINT the SCRIPT ONLY version, and simply READ ALOUD from the SCRIPT in order to safely and effectively lead your participants through the exercises.
When you can OBSERVE your participants’ performance of the exercises as you lead them, you’ll be far better able to help them achieve the BEST possible experience WHILE they perform the exercises.
AFTER you’ve become well-acquainted with the reasons for my exercise rules and directions, as well as EXPERIENCED in leading these exercises, feel free to alter the “scripted” phrases to better fit your own personal teaching style or service needs.
HOWEVER! Do NOT EVER alter the basic “content” of the exercise directions,
and do NOT EVER alter ANY of the exercise performance “RULES”!
When reading this page for the first time, you may recognize a “DRILL SERGEANT”
quality to the script. If you do so, you are absolutely CORRECT!
Since a restraint asphyxia program is rarely allowed 2 to 3 hours for its delivery, participants MUST accomplish the exercises QUICKLY, so that the Instructor has as much time as possible to RUSH through the DIDACTIC PORTION of the restraint asphyxia presentation.
The MINIMUM amount of time required to provide the fastest possible RESTRAINT ASPHYXIA – SILENT KILLER program (including the exercises) is 1 hour and 45 minutes! If an RASK presentation is allotted any LESS THAN that amount of time, participants will NOT be “effectively” educated! In fact, I refuse to provide my RASK program in less than 1 hour and 45 minutes!The only way to QUICKLY get through these two exercises is to CONDITION your students to respond to your directional cues IMMEDIATELY and WITHOUT HESITATION, at the very BEGINNING of your direction delivery! Hence, the necessity for adopting a “DRILL SERGEANT” manner of direction provision.
PLZ NOTE: When teaching in the UK (December of 2004), I noticed that UK participants did NOT require aggressive “orders” to QUICKLY ASSUME THE POSITION(s) and perform these exercises. In each city, UK participants universally followed my cues without a moment’s hesitation.
(It really is FUN for both participants and the instructor. LOL!)]
The Dark Navy Colored TEXT within the “script” below indicates
NOTES about the Exercise Rules & Directions, and the REASONS for same.
Those NOTES are not intended to be read aloud to participants!
And, NOW … HERE WE GO!!!
QUICKLY spread out about the room!
Come on, People! QUICK, LIKE BUNNIES!
Lets go! Move it! Move it! Move it! …
People MUST move QUICKLY, especially at the beginning of the exercises! It is safe for them to move quickly while they’re rested. So, this is the ONLY place where you can minimize the amount of time it takes to perform these two exercises.
please return to your chair and SIT BACK DOWN NOW!
From your chair, you will OBSERVE those performing the exercises.
This always gets a great LAUGH because at least ONE GUY (sometimes more) will begin heading back to his chair! But, this also is a very important SAFETY PRECAUTION!
Women in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy SHOULD NOT perform these exercises!
Come on, People! QUICK, LIKE BUNNIES!
Lets go! Move it! Move it! Move it! … DOWN ON YOUR BELLIES!
BACK INJURY … HIP INJURY … or KNEE INJURY,
your TASK during this first exercise is to
STAY on your BELLY,
PRESS YOUR SHOULDERS TO THE FLOOR,
and KEEP your SHOULDERS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR.
OBESE INDIVIDUALS often will include themselves in this “JOINT-INJURED” group, even when they DO NOT have any kind of joint injury.
to KEEP THEIR SHOULDERS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR.
It will be uncomfortable for them to do so, even under “normal” circumstances.
AT LEAST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EXERCISE!
BACK INJURY … HIP INJURY … or KNEE INJURY,
BEND YOUR KNEES! …
REACH BEHIND YOUR BACK and GRAB YOUR ANKLES!
If you can’t reach your ankles, grab the back edge of your shoes …
or, grab your socks … or, grab your pant legs.
When participants are attempting it, but are having TROUBLE grasping their ankles (or shoes, or socks, or pant legs); gently ASSIST them to grab something near their ankles.
BTW:
or a UNIFORM; she/he is NOT exempt from exercise participation!!!
By “LOUDLY” I mean that EVERYONE will be YELLING
I’ll get you started … Yelling and Counting with you until we reach
During my wandering, if I discover ANY INDIVIDUAL
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS
While maintaining this position we are going to LOUDLY and SLOWLY,
all together – IN UNISON – count from
ONE–ONE–THOUSAND, to TWENTY–ONE–THOUSAND.
– as LOUDLY as possible – while counting together, as a group!
THREE–ONE–THOUSAND.
After that, I will STOP yelling and counting with you.
At that time, YOU will CONTINUE YELLING AND COUNTING,
as a group, while I wander around the room assessing
the VIGOR! … and the VOLUME! …
with which EACH INDIVIDUAL is yelling and counting.
who isn’t yelling and counting with sufficient VIGOR & VOLUME,
EVERYONE will have to START OVER
at ONE–ONE–THOUSAND!
AS I HAVE PROVIDED THEM TO YOU?!?!!!
If the ENTIRE GROUP does not LOUDLY respond with
Apparently, only THREE (“5” – “9” – whatever!) PEOPLE
have understood these instructions!
Since I don’t want to repeat all these instructions unnecessarily,
I’ll ask AGAIN; DO YOU UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS
AS I HAVE PROVIDED THEM TO YOU?!?!!!
At this point, ALL participants should WAKE UP and yell out, “YES!”
CADENCE NOTE:
The count of “ONE–ONE–THOU–SAND” should be performed so as to take at least ONE SECOND.
Additionally, there should be NO LONG PAUSE (to allow for “comfortable” breathing) between yelling
“ONE– THOU–SAND” and yelling the next number.
The count should be regularly rhythmic, and should FLOW TOGETHER without more than a VERY BRIEF PAUSE (a quick GASP for breath) between the numbers:
“ONE–ONE–THOU–SAND (and)TWO–ONE–THOU–SAND (and)THREE–ONE–THOU–SAND” and so on.
“ONE–ONE–THOUSAND!” …
“TWO–ONE–THOUSAND!” …
“THREE–ONE–THOUSAND!” …
Thereafter, you can stop counting with them, and commence your
wandering about the room, listening and observing.
As needed: Remind people to
Once the Counting is DONE, keep them in the position!:
a teeny, tiny TASTE of the effort required to breathe
when someone is simply placed in a PRONE position –
even when that person is healthy and rested,
like YOU were when we started.
while in this position lasted ONLY about 30 SECONDS!
Imagine how you’d feel right now if this prone-positioned
yelling and counting exercise had lasted ONE MINUTE …
or THREE MINUTES … or EVEN LONGER!
the majority of your ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT was focused onto your torso.
Your arms and legs were NOT extended OUT from your body,
thus your extremities were not allowed to distribute portions of your
body weight AWAY FROM your torso.
But, while in this position, only YOUR OWN BODY WEIGHT
was being focused on your prone torso.
had been applying portions of THEIR body weight on top of your torso,
during your 30 seconds of YELLING exertion.
had been applying portions of THEIR body weight on top of your torso,
while you were exerting yourself to YELL and to
STRUGGLE AGAINST their weight and force application
for ONE, or THREE, or MORE minutes!
By keeping participants in this position while you explain THE REASONS FOR THIS EXERCISE, participants have an opportunity to truly FEEL how tired they became after only 30 seconds of “loud-recitation” performance while in the prone position – also allowing them to physically experience how difficult it is to “recover” from even extremely MINOR exertion, while STILL in the prone position.
CAREFULLY roll onto your BACK –
Please don’t roll into your neighbor or the furniture!
Everyone bring your knees up toward your torso.
Reach BENEATH your knees and grasp your own wrists.
BENEATH your knees and grasp your own wrists.
BENEATH your knees and grasp your own wrists.
As you repeat the cue about grasping “BENEATH” the knees, walk around and make sure everyone is holding their legs up from BENEATH their knees. Some participants may be slightly confused, and it may take a while before they get it right.
You will KEEP pulling your knees in tightly toward your torso
Part Two will consist of, everybody, all together as a group,
We will perform our breathing exercise in this position
Do you understand these instructions as I have provided them to you?
Slow, Deep Breath INNNNNNNN …
Slow, Deep Breath INNNNNNNN …
Slow, Deep Breath INNNNNNNN …
Well done, everyone!
NO! It was NOT!
If a participant cannot grasp their own WRISTS beneath their knees (many will NOT be able to!), just make sure they are grasping the UNDERSIDE of their knees.
– something I am NOT cuing you to do at this moment –
You will PULL your knees UP and IN toward your torso,
pulling your knees as CLOSE to your torso as you can get them,
and then you will HOLD THEM THERE.
as we perform Part Two of the exercise.
taking a SLOW, DEEP breath INNNNNNNNN,
holding it for a moment,
and then letting it OUT,
while STILL KEEPING your knees pulled in,
TIGHTLY toward your torso.
for at least three slow, deep breaths.If EVERYONE doesn’t immediately reply with some form of, “YES!”,
just repeat the Drill Sergeant “Do you understand” question to re-focus folkz.
Usually, by now, a repeat of that question it is NOT required!
Begin Part One!:
Pull your knees UP and IN toward your torso,
TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT toward your torso,
and HOLD them there!
TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT toward your torso,
and KEEP them there!
And let it OUT – Keeping those knees in
TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT toward your torso!
And let it OUT – Keeping those knees in
TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT toward your torso!
And let it OUT – Keeping those knees in
TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT toward your torso!
Let go of your knees. Let your feet fall to the floor.PLZ NOTE!: YOU need to take a VERY QUICK, deep breath in after EACH TIME
you’ve yelled, “Keeping those knees in TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT toward your torso!”
You don’t breathe WITH the participants, because you are cuing them during their breaths.
Some of you are more limber than others!
BUT!
Was anyone COMPRESSING their CHEST with their KNEES?Usually, at least ONE person will indicate an opinion that they were “COMPRESSING” their CHEST with their knees. However, even the most LIMBER person is physically incapable of “COMPRESSING” their own CHEST with their knees.
YES. Your knees are VERY close to your chest.
SO! HAVE THAT INDIVIDUAL SHOW YOU (demonstrate) the position they were in during this second exercise.
But, NO, your knees are NOT actually “COMPRESSING” your chest.
At his time, I grasp the soles of the shoes of the person who is demonstrating how they think they were “compressing” their own chest with their knees, and then I BRIEFLY (just a quick “push”) apply a TINY bit of force to the soles of their shoes, causing their knees to ACTUALLY compress their chest!
Be CAREFUL! Only a TINY bit of force is required during that quick push!
And be sure that you do not HOLD THE FORCE THERE – release the force immediately!
[Thankfully, no one for whom this brief “push” of light chest compression MIGHT be “dangerous” is limber enough to get their knees TO their chest!]
“THIS is what chest COMPRESSION feels like.”
Then I ask the participant,
“Were you compressing your CHEST with your knees?”
The answer is always, “NO.”
Next, I ask, “Does anyone ELSE think they were compressing
their CHEST with their KNEES during our second exercise?”
Usually, no one else will claim to have done so.
If someone DOES, just repeat the same Quick Light Push & Release maneuver (and questions) with them. Then, ask again, “Anyone ELSE?”
COMPRESSING their CHEST with their knees.
But, was it easy to BREATHE in that second exercise position?
Why not? Your chest wasn’t being compressed while you were in that position.
So, WHY was it so DIFFICULT to BREATHE while in that position?
Ad lib for a bit, if you need to!
“What was the ONLY part of your body being restricted?” …
“Exactly! ONLY your abdomen!” …
“Yes! Your BELLY was restricted by your in-drawn KNEES!”
… and so forth and so on.
Whether performed on someone in a prone position,
OR a SUPINE position,
ANY form of forceful restraint that interferes with
ABDOMINAL EXPANSION,
will INTERFERE with BREATHING!
Take a DEEP BREATH INNNNN …
Now, everyone SIT UP.
and let it OUT. [pause]
This deep breathing pause is to prevent participants from getting up too quickly!Now. Carefully Stand Up and Return to Your Seat.
If, at ANY time, you begin to feel Queasy or Light-Headed,
STOP where you are and SIT BACK DOWN on the floor!!!
SAFETY NOTE:
Because no one is ever actually “restrained” from discontinuing either exercise position if they become too uncomfortable – and no one participating in these exercises is pregnant … or “ill” (“unhealthy”) … or has engaged in any extreme physical exertion prior to participation – NO ONE is at risk for dying due to RESTRAINT ASPHYXIA during performance of these two exercises!
If performed (led) correctly, the only time there is a potential “danger” for INJURY during these exercises, is when participants are RETURNING TO THEIR SEATS! If they get up and start walking too quickly, individuals who vigorously participated may become lightheaded, and may even FALL OVER! This problem can be entirely avoided if you adhere to the following TWO RULES:
SPECIAL NOTE:
Recently, it was suggested that participants would experience an even more dramatic – even more kinesthetically impressive – sense of how seriously forceful-prone-restraint (or supine abdominal restraint) interferes with breathing, if they were PHYSICALLY EXERTED BEFORE they performed the “Assume The Position” Exercises.
I spent a great deal of time thinking about that entirely “VALID” suggestion.
SUCH THOUGHTS WOULD BE VERY, VERY WRONG!!!
MY CONCLUSION:
Brief and controlled methods of PRE-EXERTION were suggested – such as several laps of “brisk-walking” around the classroom’s perimeter … or, one minute of “Jumping-Jacks” performance … or, performing 50 Fast Sit-ups … and, the like.
Here are the things I considered, and the CONCLUSION that I came to:
Should any participant become seriously uncomfortable (or “distressed”) during either exercise, she/he could simply roll to a lateral (side) position, or release his/her hold on her knees, immediately FREEING her/his BELLY from any form of restriction – immediately being ABLE TO BREATHE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY!
CERTAINLY WOULD experience a significantly GREATER degree of breathing difficulty.
HOWEVER!
I seriously worry that prefacing the “Assume The Position” exercises with any kind of “EXERTIONAL ACTIVITIES” might encourage participants to Entirely BLAME the PRE-EXERTION Phase for the breathing difficulty they experienced during their performance of the “ASSUME THE POSITION” exercises.
After all, many of us “breathe hard” after doing only a few Jumping-Jacks, even when we are comfortably positioned afterwards!
altered-level-of-consciousness victim “running amuck”, they MIGHT be inclined to think,
“We JUST got this call ...
So, this person probably hasn’t been exerting himself (herself) for ‘very long’ …
Prone positioning didn’t kill ME after a LITTLE bit of exertion ...
So, it’s probably safe to use forceful-prone-restraint on this person – at least for a few minutes.”
an individual’s entire body within as few as 2 to 5 minutes after the SEIZURE ONSET!
is a “Diabetic” – will suffer ENTIRE BODY EXHAUSTION within as few as 2 to 5 minutes
after the ONSET of violent hypoglycemic physical exertion activity!
of the ACTUAL amount of time that the altered-level-of-consciousness-victim has
engaged in extreme exertional activity PRIOR TO the 911 CALL being made!
I believe that the “Assume The Position” exercises MOST DRAMATICALLY effect participants
when they begin the exercises while COMPLETELY RESTED.
WORSE it would feel if they HAD “exerted themselves” BEFORE or DURING
performance of these very simple “Assume The Position” exercises.
with ANY method of PRE-EXERTION!
DETRIMENTAL to the “LESSON” that needs to be learned!
Email Charly at: c-d-miller@neb.rr.com