FACTS ABOUT STRANGULATION YOU WERE STRANGLED. NOW WHAT?

Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of violence.

It takes only about 10 seconds to lose consciousness.

It takes only 4 — 5 minutes to death.

You can die within 36 hours after being strangled due to internal injuries.

Strangulation occurs when blood vessels and air passages are closed by external pressure on the neck.

Strangulation stops oxygen to the brain and blocks the airway.

Strangulation is not choking — choking is having a piece of food lodged in your throat.

Strangulation is caused by manual force (like one hand around your neck, two hands around your neck, a forearm pressed on your neck or wrapped around your neck, kneeling on your neck).

Strangulation is also caused by a ligature (like a rope, phone cord, electrical cord, shoelace) or hanging.

Remember ... Seconds to unconsciousness, minutes to death.

Seek medical care immediately! You could die within 36 hours if your injuries are not treated.

Make a report to law enforcement (city police, sheriff’s deputy, or campus police).

Be aware of what you were feeling and thinking during the attack and share those with a victim advocate or law enforcement officer.

Keep a log of signs and symptoms you experience, especially in the weeks following the attack.

It cannot be stressed enough: GET MEDICAL ATTENTION as soon as possible. Go to the emergency room, a walk-in medical clinic, or your private doctor, but just do it. Your life depends upon it.

You were not choked.

You were strangled.

And you could die.

Signs, Symptoms, and

Facts about Strangulation Emergency 911 Missoula City Police Department 552-6300

YWCA 24 hour crisis line 542-1944

Missoula County Sheriff’s Department 258-4810

Crime Victim Advocate program 830-3830

U of MT Police 243-4000

U of MT SARC 243-6559 Student Assault Resource Center

First Step 329-5776 St. Patrick Hospital sexual

assault resource center

CONTACTS

LOG YOUR SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Take photos and record your voice (cell phone works fine). Do this right after your attack and during the next few days. Signs and symptoms may not show up immediately. Documentation over time is important.

SIGNS OF STRANGULATION

Face — Red or flushed, tiny pinpoint red spots (petechiae), scratch marks

Eyes and Eyelids — Bloodshot eyes, tiny pinpoint red spots

Nose — Bloody nose, broken nose, petechiae

Finger tips — Numbness or tingling

Ear — Petechiae around and behind the ear, bleeding from the ear canal

Mouth — Bruising, swollen tongue, swollen lips, cuts/abrasions

Under the chin — Redness, scratch marks, bruises, abrasions

Chest — Redness, scratch marks, bruises, abrasions

Neck — Redness, scratch marks, finger nail impressions, swelling, ligature mark(s), single finger or thumb-size bruise, other bruises

Head — Petechiae on the scalp

Urinary/Bowels — Incontinence, wetting oneself, defecating

SYMPTOMS OF STRANGULATION HEENT* — Changes in vision,

blurriness, ringing in ears, sore throat, coughing, hard to swallow, voice change (hoarseness, change in sound of voice, difficulty speaking)

Respiratory — Hard to breathe, chest pain, uncomfortable to lie down flat

Gastrointestinal — Heartburn, acid reflux, vomiting, nausea

Neurological — Dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, headache

Psychiatric — Memory loss, depression, suicidal, insomnia/can’t sleep, nightmares, anxious

Behavior — “Wild” or combative, restless, manic, agitated, highly emotional, confused

* HEENT = Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

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There may be no external signs of strangulation. However, there may be

life-threatening internal damage to your thyroid, larynx, and throat tissue that can

lead to death within 24 to 36 hours.

You may be in danger. Nearly 9 out of 10 women who have

been strangled have also experienced other types of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

If the abuse has accelerated to strangulation, there is a greater likelihood of the victim being killed at some point in the relationship.

As strangulation attempts continue over the length of a relationship, adverse health conditions like strokes and cardio-vascular conditions are more likely to occur, too.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2008-WE-AX-0018 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this brochure are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Brochure content was compiled by JUST Response, Missoula’s coordinated criminal justice system response to domestic violence, administered by the Office of Planning and Grants, Missoula, Montana, with grateful acknowledgement to the National Family Justice Center Alliance, CVA advocates and their clients, and First Step.