I saw this thread a few times and ignored and because I still can't sleep since the last time my laptop told me it was 12/12, I decided to respond, but only under the condition that I read the OP. I know nothing of this incident, and usually I'd use RF to find out what the story involved. Here I thought I'd try something new. I have something of an advantage in this case, or this would certainly be pointless. It may be anyway, as another might have already stated what I am about to. In comvatives and martial arts there are sometimes very distinct differences between what seem to be the same thing. This is so with strangle/choke holds. We can all hold our breath for a fairly long period of time. That's because when we can't breathe the blood that circulates in our bodies and to our brains continues to circulate, our brains continue to receive enough "fuel" to continue to be conscious and after losing consciousness to continue to live. Stopping the breath in this fashion will ensure unconsciousness, but it can take half a minute or more.
Other holds do not stop the breath. They "pinch" the arteries that feed the brain. Such strangle/choke holds don't take half a minute to a minute. They take anywhere from 3 to 8 seconds.
Common holds (or a few holds that are common) do both. But it is possible for a hold to prevent the blood from reaching the brain but allow breath. Of course, in such cases one can't usually speak, but some minimal speak is I suppose possible (I haven't seen it).
More importantly, anybody with asthma, panic disorders, or other conditions which can result in rapid breath and the experience of of lack of air will tell you that one can say "I can't breath" when one is being strangled to death.
