The most widely used and popular type of hand restraint is the cuff. In this article I will tell you about the 2 most common handcuffs; the chain sleeve and the hinge sleeve. I will explore how they work, advantages and disadvantages.
chain sleeve:
The chain handcuff is the most popular type of handcuff on the market today, used by a wide range of consumers; staff, military, corrections, police and security guards.
· Consists of two halves joined by a chain approximately 2″ long that holds the restrained person’s wrists together to help the retainer control them.
· Each sleeve has a rotating side that fits into the stationary side. With the cuff open, place your wrist in the middle and close the rotating side on the stationary side, thus locking the cuff. The bracelet will not go back without the key.
When both wrists are handcuffed, the person has limited movement.
advantages:
· Double lock to avoid excessive tightening during transport.
· Durable and rust resistant.
· Most wives use the same type of key.
Store and retrieve in and out of the case with one hand.
· Very little instruction or training is needed to operate them effectively.
Disadvantages:
The chain allows more movement than other types of hand restraints.
· Without a double lock, it allows the cuff to be over-tightened, in some cases creating too much force.
· If not applied correctly, the sleeve may break.
Hinge cuffs:
Fixed officers prefer these handcuffs over the chain type because it gives them better control over the inmate.
· They work in the same way as the chain ones, but they are connected by a hinge that makes them more grooved.
Unlike the chain, where the hands and wrists have some movement, the hinge does not allow the wrists to move together or apart.
advantages:
The hinge makes any movement of the hands virtually impossible.
· Ease of manipulation of the handcuffed person by turning the cuff.
With a double lock and the cuff positioned correctly, the cuff cannot be bypassed.
· Most wives use the same type of key.
Disadvantages:
· Storage and retrieval is difficult.
Harder to apply.
· Adequate training and instruction is required to effectively use this type of manual clamping.
· It can cause a lot of pain to the handcuffed person.
Conclusion:
· Handcuffs are the perfect tool to immobilize a person’s hands and give them control. Most handcuffs come in different finishes such as blued, chrome, or powder coated. As with any personal safety and self defense product, be sure to train and practice with them. Remember that the best time to learn your personal safety and self-defense lesson is before anything happens.
