Which of the following options is a deadly force option for life-threatening situations?

Impacting vital areas is recognized as a deadly force option in life-threatening situations due to its potential to cause serious injury or death to an assailant. This technique targets specific parts of the body where a strike could incapacitate an individual quickly. In situations where an officer's life or the lives of others are at imminent risk, the use of deadly force can be justified as a necessary response to neutralize the threat posed by an aggressor.

In contrast, the other options presented do not meet the threshold of deadly force. Handcuffs are a restraint method used to limit an individual's movement and ensure compliance, not a means to apply force intended to cause harm. Pressure points, while they can be effective for compliance and control, are generally non-lethal techniques. Verbal commands serve as a means of communication intended to de-escalate situations rather than forceful action. Thus, only impacting vital areas aligns with the definition of a deadly force option in life-threatening scenarios.