In the Winter 1999 issue of the HPSO Risk Advisor, you learned how to handle the angry patient. Here we describe some basic techniques you can use if a patient loses control and assaults you.

Blocking punches to the head, face, and torso
Hold your arms up with your fists clenched and your palms toward you. Move away from your attacker, maintaining eye contact. Be ready to shift your arms and body to block blows coming from different directions.

Blocking kicks
Simultaneously lift your knee and turn your hip so it is facing outward, protecting the groin area and abdomen. This can be done with either leg.

Breaking a choke hold
Quickly raise your arms above your head, keeping them outside your attacker's arms, and turn sharply to one side. The force created by this sudden motion will release you from the attacker's choke hold and leave you facing away from him. Once you are free, move away from him.

When an attacker grabs your hair
Link your fingers together and press down hard on your attacker's knuckles. When you feel his grip loosen, bend at the knees and turn, twisting your head out of his hold.

When an assailant grabs your wrist
Grab your attacker's wrist with your free hand. Then, spread the fingers on your captured hand and, with a sudden, swift movement, snap it free of your attacker's grasp while pulling his hand in the opposite direction.

Breaking out of a two-handed hold
Make a fist with your trapped hand and grasp it tightly with your free hand. Then, with a quick, smooth motion, take a step backward and raise your arm. This should release it from your attacker's grasp.