People die suddenly in custody everyday. We watch it on TV. We read it in the paper. We view it on the Internet. The bottom line is that they die. Over the years, these sudden custody deaths have been attributed to such things as positional asphyxia, cocaine psychosis, and excited delirium to name just a few. Lately these life threatening conditions have been bundled under the term of Significant Medical Behavior. Early recognition is the key.
Bill Devane, the president of RIPP Restraints (www.RippRest.com) created a list of these signs and symptoms of life threatening behavior over fifteen years ago when he became one of the first national recognized trainers to acknowledge the dangers of these types of behaviors.
His list of Identifiable Symptoms & Behavioral Patterns is copied below:
1. Bizarre & aggressive behavior
2. Dilated pupils
3. Fear
4. High body temperatures (as high as 104 – 108)
5. Hiding behind cars, trees, and bushes
6. Irrational or incoherent speech
7. Jumping into water
8. Panic
9. Paranoia
10. Profuse sweating
11. Public disrobing
12. Self-inflicted wounds
13. Shivering
14. Shouting (frequently irrationally)
15. Seizures
16. Unexpected physical strength
17. Violent behavior (general)
18. Violence towards others
19. Violence towards objects (especially glass)
Source RIPP™ Restraint, Inc. Sudden Custody Death Syndrome Instructor’s Certification Workbook by Bill Devane Copyright©1994 Revised 9/2000
This list is a comprehensive but easy-to-use compilation of what an officer needs to know.
It can be used train officers in what to look for when dealing with subjects on the street or in correctional facilities.
It is amazing how many of these signs and symptoms are present in persons exhibiting Significant Medical Behavior. You can look at videos of these incidents or read the reports and see them repeat these indicators described again and again. Know them. Use them. Respond quickly activating both backup officers and medical response.
