Understanding Excited Delirium & Positional Asphyxia: A Life-Saving Guide for Guards
In Advanced Security Training, we don't just teach you how to put handcuffs on. We teach you how to ensure the person survives the arrest.
The most dangerous moment in a security guard's career is not the fight—it is the moments immediately after the fight. Once a subject is restrained, they are your responsibility. If they stop breathing while in your care, you can be held criminally negligent.
At RupIELTS Institute in Surrey, our AST curriculum places a heavy emphasis on medical safety. There are two major risks every guard must know: Excited Delirium and Positional Asphyxia.
This is a state of extreme mental and physiological excitement. It is often caused by drug use (cocaine, methamphetamines) or severe mental health episodes. The body goes into "overdrive," and the heart is pushed to its limit.
The Warning Signs (Hot/Crazy/Strong):
- 🥵 Profuse Sweating / High Body Heat
- 💪 Superhuman Strength
- 😡 Extreme Aggression
- 🚫 High Tolerance to Pain
- 🗣️ Incoherent Shouting
- 👕 Removal of Clothing (due to overheating)
The Danger: If you fight someone in this state, their heart may simply stop (cardiac arrest) due to the adrenaline dump. You must recognize this and call 911 (Ambulance) immediately.
This occurs when a person's position prevents them from breathing adequately. This often happens during an arrest when a subject is pinned face-down on the ground.
How it happens:
- You apply weight to the subject's back while they are prone (face down).
- This compresses the diaphragm, preventing the lungs from expanding.
- The subject is exhausted from the fight and needs oxygen, but cannot get it.
- They suffocate silently.
How RupIELTS Training Saves Lives
This sounds scary, but training mitigates the risk. In our 24-hour AST course on 120th Street, we drill the following safety protocols until they are instinct:
The Recovery Position
Once handcuffs are applied, immediately roll the subject onto their side or sit them up. Never leave a subject face-down longer than necessary to secure the cuffs.
Monitor the "ABCs"
Airway, Breathing, Circulation. We teach you to constantly talk to the subject. If they are talking to you, they are breathing. If they go silent, you must check them immediately.
No "Pile-Ons"
We teach team arrest tactics where weight is applied to the limbs (arms/legs) and hips, never the upper back or neck.
⚖️ Legal Reality Check
"I didn't know" is not a defense in court. If you use force, you are expected to know the medical risks. Get certified so you know how to protect your community and yourself.
Train With Experts Who Care
Learn the safe, legal, and professional way to handle high-risk situations.
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