NationStates Jolt Archive


How to escape from straitjackets.

Lunatic Goofballs
13-08-2004, 07:44
Numerous months ago, I posted these useful tips. But there are so many new folks, that I feel it prudent to revisit these tips and suggestions.

First, it is important to understand that there are many different kinds of straitjackets. The first kind is the escape artist's straitjacket. This is identical to a normal straitjacket except for a few details that only someone very familiar with straitjackets would notice. Those details greatly ease the escape. But standard straitjackets CAN be slipped out of, too.

THe first, and probably most important step is when you are being put into the straitjacket. Hopefully, you are not sedated when this happens. Puff your body up. Take a deep breath and hold it, or breathe very shallowly with only the tops of your lungs. Tense every muscle in your body. If the jacket has wrist restraints, try to keep your wrists as far from your torso as possible. It's vital you make yourself as puffed out as you can. When you relax, it'll provide much-needed slack. The more slack you have, the better your chances of wriggling free.

You have two major obstacles when escaping your jacket. The first are the sleeves themselves. A proper jacket has sleeves that have very little room to slide your arm out. The canvas fabric pulled tight makes this arm opening even tighter. As you work up a sweat, and if you have enough slack, you can begin to work your arm out of the sleeve. This is very difficult, but if you puffed yourself up properly, it should be possible to get your shoulder out of the sleeve. This is when the next obstacle presents itself. The crotch strap. As you pull and twist the jacket, the slack is taken up, and this strap begins to dig rather cruelly into your...er... boys. (females have an advantage here) You basically have to tolerate this, until you get your arm out to the elbow. It won't be easy, and you will be in quite a bit of pain, but once you reach the elbow, and slide your arm into the jacket proper, you should get some crotch slack back.

Now your arm is in the jacket. What now? Time to undo that nasty crotch strap! slide your arm to your side, and to the back. your hand will emerge from the bottom of the jacket near the straps. With careful manipulation and frustrating amounts of time, you can work the crotch strap out of it's buckle(hopefully, it's not equpped with locks). Then, undo one or more of the other straps at your rear until you have enough slack to slip the jacket over your head.

Now you're free!!! :)

There are many things that could stop you: High security jackets, locable straps, sedation, etc.

If this happens, remember that mental health hospitals can only keep you in a jacket for a limited amount of time. Once they remove it, it should be possible to talk your way out of the higher security areas and into lower security wings. Look for your opportunities. Wait for them to underestimate you.

The price of freedom is constant vigilance! :D
Unfree People
13-08-2004, 08:06
Interesting. You've had experience with this then?

:p
Northern Gimpland
13-08-2004, 08:10
Obviously he has. Just look at his username. ;)

I thought that to get out of a straightjacket you had to dislocate your arm? Or is this another kind of straightjacket? I need to know because the future could be crazy :D
The Island of Rose
13-08-2004, 08:11
You shouldn't be helping the crazies...
Mezzaluna
13-08-2004, 08:23
Obviously he has. Just look at his username. ;)

I thought that to get out of a straightjacket you had to dislocate your arm? Or is this another kind of straightjacket? I need to know because the future could be crazy :D

I used to date a magician/juggler guy who did his escapes this way. Apparently it's not necessary, but if you have the dislocate-at-will knack, it makes it that much easier.

He used to dislocate his shoulder when I was rubbing his back, just to creep me out. Good heavens, I miss that boy. ;)
Findecano Calaelen
13-08-2004, 11:56
*takes notes*
next time they wont get me so easy
Lunatic Goofballs
14-08-2004, 02:32
Obviously he has. Just look at his username. ;)

I thought that to get out of a straightjacket you had to dislocate your arm? Or is this another kind of straightjacket? I need to know because the future could be crazy :D

It does, indeed help. It actually helps the step of getting your arm out from shoulder to elbow...which is the hardest part of the process. *nod* But it isn't the sort of trick I endorse learning. If you can, more power to yuo. ;)
Lunatic Goofballs
14-08-2004, 02:33
You shouldn't be helping the crazies...

We crazies stick together. :D
Ashmoria
14-08-2004, 02:43
i understand that its not difficult to get out of a straight jacket

IF YOU ARE SANE

or in control of yourself

its hard for those people who have been restrained because they are physically uncontrollable.
Lunatic Goofballs
14-08-2004, 20:19
i understand that its not difficult to get out of a straight jacket

IF YOU ARE SANE

or in control of yourself

its hard for those people who have been restrained because they are physically uncontrollable.

Actually, I think sanity is a handicap. Most sane people would struggle and fight so hard to avoid the application of the jacket, they wouldn't take the opportunity to plan for their eventual escape. Most psychopaths have the same problem, because they tend to think they're sane too. It's the proud and wiley wackos like me that have taken the time to learn the tricks of the trade. I've been practicing escape techniques from handcuffs, straitjackets, etc. since I was fourteen. :D