Side control escape inside arm preference

[100xobm]

Wondering what the higher level fellas find more effective in terms of escaping.

Imagine being in someone's side control whereby they are lying across your left hand side (so their legs would be near your left arm, their head would be closer to your right arm). In terms of escaping, is it better to use one's left (i.e. inside) arm on the hip like so:
http://youtu.be/Hr86GYFrPvc?t=5m5s


or to put priority on breaking that head control like so (done with right arm):
http://youtu.be/4l9tP2gRuOo?t=2m10s

I understand sometimes x is better than y and vice versa, but in terms of control, which should I prioritize, freeing my head or blocking their hips?

[DKJr]

Your head always. IMO

[WhiteShark]

I don't feel the need to use my inside arm to free my head but I do prioritize relieving head pressure.

[DKJr]

I don't feel the need to use my inside arm to free my head but I do prioritize relieving head pressure.

Then you use your underhook arm to block the cross face?