Which of the following is listed as an example of an active countermeasure?

• A. Vertical Stuns
• B. Restraint hold
• C. Negotiation
• D. Verbal de-escalation

Answer: (A)

Active countermeasures are direct actions that interrupt or stop threatening behavior through physical means. Vertical stuns fit this idea because they involve a controlled intervention aimed at immediately disrupting the subject’s ability to continue the aggression. Verbal de-escalation and negotiation rely on communication to reduce risk and do not physically interrupt the threat, so they aren’t considered active countermeasures. A restraint hold is a physical technique used to maintain control after the immediate risk has been addressed, rather than to actively interrupt the threat in the moment.