The Taser is intended to disrupt “normal” electrical activity in the muscles which end up between the Taser's probes. Individual responses to the pain and shock involved can induce unconsciousness, but the specific response to the Taser's shock is not supposed to cause unconsciousness.
Loss of consciousness, abnormal brain function, and even seizures can result from being hit by a taser. In addition, a victim may suffer permanent damage from falling. Also, a taser can cause permanent damage in the form of scarring at the place of impact of the taser.
A stun gun can take a few seconds to work and must make contact with the attacker in order to be effective. Pepper spray affects the attacker for around 30 minutes or so. By comparison, being hit with a taser can incapacitate an attacker for 5 to 60 minutes.
No, a stun gun, even a police-grade stun gun, cannot knock you out. Instead, it delivers an electric shock that disrupts muscle control, causing temporary paralysis, but it will not render you unconscious. It will not cause any permanent damage.
Tasers, AKA stun guns, cause your muscles to seize up, which can make them sore for days after. Puncture wounds, cuts, and bruises are common injuries following a shock from a Taser or stun gun. In rare cases, Tasers can damage kidney function or cause testicular torsion.
Because electricity is being used, tasers can indeed cause serious injury or even death. The electrical currents may disrupt brain or heart function, leading to seizures, abnormal brain function and even a potentially fatal heart irregularity.
It is a brand of conducted electroshock weapon sold by Axon, formerly TASER International. Axon has identified increased risk in repeated, extended, or continuous exposure to the weapon; the Police Executive Research Forum says that total exposure should not exceed 15 seconds.
The probes are connected to the Taser by thin wires, and when they make contact with the target, the Taser delivers a high-voltage shock. Tasers are designed to be used from a distance, and they do not require direct contact with the target's body to be effective.
Tasers work from point to point, meaning the electrical charge runs through the body from one probe to the other. You can actually touch someone being Tased without getting shocked at all (during Taser training there are usually two students holding the “victim” to assist them to the floor).
It hurts, as every muscle in your body locks up in a tight contraction. Once the electricity stops (5 seconds), the pain immediately goes away and you can get up. A TASER does not knock you out like it does in the movies.
The Taser delivers a five-second shock for each trigger pull. Taser says the weapons are designed to deliver a charge that will induce incapacitating muscle contractions while minimizing risk of injury. Replacement cartridges cost about $35 each.
Experts said there are a variety of factors that can influence whether a Taser works as desired. Baggy clothing or sudden movement can rip the wires away. The drive-stun mode may not have the same effect on some people, particularly those who are under the influence of drugs or who are mentally ill.
Key Differences Between Stun Guns and TASERs™
Stun guns require you to be within arm's reach of the potential assailant as they are not effective unless they are touching the assailant's body. The TASER™ is designed to be fired from a distance; however, some models can also be used as drive-stun devices.
Tasers, also known as stun guns, can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death, researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine reported in the journal Circulation. The author explained that applying an electric shock with an electronic control device to the chest can be deadly.
An electric 'stun gun' causes loss of muscle control but does not directly cause unconsciousness.
This report shows that a taser shot to the head may result in a brain-specific complication such as generalized tonic-clonic seizure. It also suggests that seizure should be considered an adverse event related to taser use.
New research finds that stun guns can create short-term cognitive impairment comparable to dementia — which can lead to unreliable statements to cops.
Police stun guns can typically deliver a voltage of 50,000 volts. However, this high voltage shouldn't be confused with lethality.
It is illegal for civilians to own a Taser anywhere in Australia unless you are the holder of a Category R Weapons Licence (Weapons Categories Regulation 1997 Qld). It is a highly restricted item and not even all police officers can carry a Taser.
Most stun guns will work through light clothing, but keep in mind that heavy or bulky clothing or jackets will reduce their effectiveness.
The darts can penetrate clothing and, once they make contact with the target, deliver the electric shock, which disrupts the target's nervous system, resulting in temporary incapacitation. The Taser is not considered a firearm, because it uses compressed nitrogen to launch the darts.
And electric charge will only ground itself when it has nowhere else to go. But with a taser, your body forms part of a closed circuit. So the electricity doesn't ground itself, it passes through you and back to the taser.
Removal of Probe:
Place gloved hand on the patient in the area where the probe is embedded and stabilize the skin surrounding the puncture site. Place your other gloved hand firmly around the probe. In one fluid motion pull the probe straight out from the puncture site. Repeat procedure with second probe.