"I have had the privilege of testifying as an expert in over 100 cases
involving restraint-related deaths. After thoroughly reviewing the
SafeWrap restraint system, I found no evidence of adverse effects on
either the respiratory or vascular systems during its use. Not only
does the system significantly reduce issues surrounding the negative
public perception of prone restraint, but it also allows restrainers
continuous visibility of the subject’s face—critical for both medical
monitoring and effective de-escalation. Given these benefits, I strongly
recommend SafeWrap adoption at any organization where physical
restraint is required."
- Gary Vilke, M.D.
It’s vital that law enforcement agencies do their due diligence and
thoroughly vet those whom they trust to train their personnel. This is
especially true when it comes to defensive tactics and use-of-force training.
We understand maintaining the trust, that communities place in their police
agencies, is of utmost importance. Loss of this trust can negatively impact
both the agency and community, resulting in a loss of safety for its officers
and citizens. Central to this trust, citizens rightfully demand that their
agencies’ training ensures that their officers use-of-force is legal and
prioritizes safety for both citizens and officers.
Over the years, GST has endeavored to help agencies maintain and augment
this sacred trust. Therefore, to ensure that the GST system exceeds best
practices as they relate to legal standards, liability, and safety pertaining
to law enforcement, we have had the course reviewed by medical professionals
and attorneys who attended the actual course.
Dr. Geoffrey Desmoulin, Ph.D., is a forensic biomechanical engineer specializing in injury biomechanics, human performance, and use-of-force analysis. He reviewed the SafeWrap System from a biomechanical perspective, evaluating its positioning, force dynamics, and potential injury mechanisms to assess how the system affects subject control and physical risk during restraint.
Peer-Reviewed Study: Crossover Arm Control (CAC)
Because the Crossover Arm Control (CAC), the upper body control
component of SafeWrap, can resemble a vascular neck restraint to
the untrained eye, a peer-reviewed study was conducted to determine
whether the technique impairs breathing or restricts blood flow
to the brain.
Researchers evaluated physiological responses during resisted CAC
application while monitoring breathing, oxygen saturation, vital
signs, and carotid artery blood flow. Findings demonstrated no
evidence of carotid artery occlusion, impaired oxygenation, or
respiratory compromise when CAC was properly applied. Participants’
physiological responses were consistent with normal physical
exertion rather than a choke or vascular neck restraint.
“Throughout CAC application, oxygen saturation and tissue
perfusion were maintained. The technique does not impede
blood flow nor cause carotid artery constriction.”
Study Citation
Scuderi, G.J., Fernandez, C.R., Scuderi, G.S.,
McCurdy, M.A., Tarawneh, O.H., & Vaccaro, A.R. (2026).
Crossover arm control: A safe restraining technique
in resisting subjects? The Police Journal: Theory,
Practice and Principles.
DOI: 10.1177/0032258X261444917
Click
here
to access the full study