Comparing Air Choke Vs Blood Choke: Safer, Easier & How To

With a blood choke, the attacker wraps their arm around the opponent’s neck and squeezes the artery – cutting off oxygen to the brain. This can quickly lead to submission (or consciousness if long enough).

An air choke is similar to a blood choke but instead of squeezing the artery, an air choke applies pressure on the opponent’s windpipe, but it does not result in as much damage because it’s difficult to to completely stop airflow.

Depending on how experienced you are, both blood choke and air choke submissions can be effective in martial arts like BJJ or MMA. To the regular spectator (including me), all chokes may look the same – but if you go into the details, there are many types of chokes in martial arts. 

In this article, I will discuss blood choke vs air choke submission in detail – so you are aware of both submission techniques and can even focus on learning one over the other. 

Here’s a summary table comparing blood choke vs air choke.

	Blood Choke	Air Choke
Pressure applied	Jugular vein	Windpipe
Time for submission	5s	30s
Legal	Yes	Yes
Safety	Can be deadly	Safe
Pressure required	Higher	Lower
Difficulty	Difficult	Easier

 

What Is It: Blood Choke Vs Air Choke

A blood choke is when one applies pressure to a person’s jugular vein (on the neck), which causes a loss of blood flow to the brain – and in turn leads to unconsciousness. This can be done by using one or both hands. 

An air choke on the other hand, is when one applies pressure to the windpipe, cutting off oxygen supply to the lungs. This can also be done by either arm or by using both hands. 

An air choke should be easier to apply than a blood choke because you don’t need as much pressure and it’s easier to locate the windpipe during fights. 

That said, positioning in fights can be very unpredictable. I recommend you learn both blood and air chokes because the opportunities often come separately. 

Which Is Quicker For Submission: Blood Choke Vs Air Choke

Blood choke is a more efficient and quicker way to submit someone during a martial arts match than air choke. When prolonged for some time, an opponent can get unconscious much faster through a blood choke than air choke. Typically, 5 seconds for blood choke and 30 seconds for air choke.

This is because stopping blood flow is much easier than completely stopping airflow. The human arteries are very small and can be completely gripped much more easily than a windpipe. 

Take note that there are 2  jugular veins on the neck , meaning you need to apply pressure on both veins to perform a blood choke – making it harder.

 

Is It Legal: Blood Choke Vs Air Choke

Both blood choke and air choke are legal under the US Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) ruleset, as long as they are used in accordance with the other fighter’s safety. However, some jurisdictions have banned blood chokes altogether because of their potential to cause death. 

It may sound scary but most of the submission wins you watch in UFC are done through blood choke.   

 

Which Is Safer: Blood Choke Vs Air Choke

Air choke is safer on the opponent because it only stops breathing and may only result in a feeling of breathlessness and unconsciousness (less damage). Whereas blood choke stops blood flow to the brain could potentially cause brain damage or even death.

Air chokes may cause intense pain and eventually asphyxiation (more painful than blood choke), but it’s not fatal. Air choke restricts air flow into their lungs, which can quickly lead to suffocation. However, an air choke is less likely to cause death than a blood choke because it requires direct pressure on the windpipe, which can take some time to achieve.

 

Which Is Easier To Perform: Blood Choke Vs Air Choke

It is generally agreed that the air choke is easier to perform than the blood choke. The difference in difficulty between the two holds comes from the pressure required and positioning.

An air choke does not need as much pressure to apply. This is because the windpipe is a bigger organ – allowing it to be located easily and have much more surface area to be choked easily. Whereas the  jugular veins are small and require much more pressure to choke. 

Additionally, with the air choke, one can slide their hand behind their back to help guide their opponent’s neck into position.

The blood choke, on the other hand, requires more muscle strength and flexibility since one has to find and squeeze their opponent’s jugular vein (on the neck), in order to stop or slow his/her blood flow.

 

How To Perform: Blood Choke Vs Air Choke

Steps To Perform Blood Choke Submission:

To perform a blood choke, you need to wrap your arms around the opponent’s neck and apply pressure to both sides of the neck (where the jugular veins are located). Sufficient pressure is required – which is usually achieved by specific techniques. Here are the steps to apply blood choke submission:

1. Wrap your arms around your opponent’s neck.
2. Apply pressure to both sides of the neck using your biceps and forearm.
3. Use the hand of your wrapping arm to grab your other biceps and tighten the grip
4. Hold for a few seconds until the opponent taps out or loses consciousness. 

Blood chokes are hard to get right at first because you need sufficient pressure to make it work. Don’t give up and keep practising. Once you master it, blood chokes can be very effective. 

 

Steps To Perform Air Choke Submission:

1. Place your forearm or wrist around your opponent’s windpipe (front of neck).
2. Pull the opponent back to you and apply opposing force using your shoulders.
3. To increase pressure grab both of your hands together and pull back.
4. Hold until the opponent taps or panics and gasps for air.

Air choke is easier to get right because the windpipe is a larger organ and easier to locate. An opponent can hold air choke much longer than blood chokes – so you may want to hold this position for longer.

 

Great YouTube video that shows you how to apply Blood Choke and Air Choke: 

There are several ways to get out of a chokehold, depending on the position you find yourself in. If you’re in a dominant position, such as being on top of your opponent, you can use your body weight to force them to release your neck.

If they’re holding onto your neck with their hands and their legs are trapping yours, you can use your free arm to push against their elbow or shoulder, forcing them to let go.

Finally, if all else fails and you find yourself in an air choke hold with no way out, try tapping your opponent on the shoulder or jaw once or twice to get their attention and then using the force of your own body weight to pull yourself free.

As you can see, blood choke and air choke are vastly different techniques but may look the same to the average person. 

For the best effectiveness, I recommend going for the blood choke every chance you get. They are harder to master but can put your opponent to tap (or sleep) within 5-10 seconds. 

But keep in mind the blood choke is dangerous and should be done under supervision (be it referee or your coach). Blood choke can be fatal when done for an extended period of time – which is why it’s important to know when to stop, even if your opponent doesn’t tap.

With great power comes great responsibility – right?