Australian Nurse Uses Jiu-Jitsu to Subdue Attacking Patient
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 11 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Registered nurse Daniel Nelson, who also serves in the Australian Army, was assaulted while escorting an intoxicated patient out of Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Emergency and Trauma Centre in October 2024. Nelson used over 10 years of Brazilian jiu-jitsu training to dodge the attack, flip the patient to the ground, and apply a chokehold until security arrived. CCTV footage of the incident has since garnered more than 1.3 million views online after Nelson posted it on LinkedIn to raise awareness about workplace violence against healthcare workers .
Key Points
- The incident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. in October 2024 at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Emergency and Trauma Centre .
- The patient had previously exhibited abusive behavior, including insulting staff, spitting, and acting aggressively .
- Nelson swiftly dodged an object thrown at him before the patient charged forward to attack .
- The nurse applied his decade-plus of Brazilian jiu-jitsu training to flip and chokehold the assailant while calling for help .
- The attacker later pleaded guilty to common assault and was fined AUD 450 (approximately HK$3,529) .
Why It Matters
Nelson's case highlights the alarming frequency of violence against healthcare workers in Queensland, where over 16,000 incidents were recorded in one year—averaging about 45 per day . An Australian Workers' Union survey found that 69% of over 1,200 healthcare workers had witnessed or experienced assault, while 70% believed hospital security staffing was inadequate .
Nelson's case highlights the alarming frequency of violence against healthcare workers in Queensland, where over 16,000 incidents were recorded in one year—averaging about 45 per day . An Australian Workers' Union survey found that 69% of over 1,200 healthcare workers had witnessed or experienced assault, while 70% believed hospital security staffing was inadequate .