Taser Use & Injuries: Considerations for medical treatment
John Rei
Outline TASER(r) Awareness ADHB
(May 2010)
TASER: Voltage + Amperage
- 50,000 V Peak (open circuit)
- - Low average current 0.0021
- Joules delivered 0.07
- Pulses per second 19
" It's not the volts that are dangerous, it's the amperes"
Shaped Pulse Technology
Shaped Pulse technology
Arcing Through Clothing
Neuro Muscular Incapacitation
(NMI)
Common Effects of NMI
? May fall
? Yell or scream
? Involuntary muscle contractions
? Freeze in place with legs locked
? May feel dazed for several seconds/minutes
? Potential vertigo
? Temporary tingling sensation
? May experience critical stress amnesia
? May not remember any pain
Bi-Metal Probe Assembly
Hand In Front of TASER Cartridge
During Firing
Use of Force
Restrictions on Use
? Passive resistance
? Armed subjects
? Demonstrations
? Crowd situations
? Pregnancy
? Flammable situations
? Elevated positions
? Water
? Vehicles & machinery
? Multiple 'uses'
Definitions
? Assaultive
? This is identified as actively hostile behaviour accompanied by physical
actions or an intent, expressed either verbally and/or through body language, to
cause physical harm. Examples include kicking, punching or aggressive body
language signaling an intent to assault
? Death or GBH
? The subject exhibits actions that the officer believes are intended to, or
likely to, cause grievous bodily harm or death to any person. Examples include
assaults with a knife, blunt instrument or firearm, or other actions that may
result in a grievous injury/death to an officer or member of the public
Discharges
Effecting the Arrest
Deployment
Methods of Deployment
? Presentation
? Laser Painting
? Arcing
? Discharge
? Follow-up Contact Stun
? Contact Stun
Preferred Contact Stun
locations
? For maximum effectiveness in stun mode, contact the
TASER onto the highlighted areas.
? Carotid (sides of neck) (see warning below)
? Brachial plexus tie-in (upper chest)
? Radial (forearm)
? Pelvic triangle (see warning below)
? Common peronial (outside of thigh)
? Tibial (calf muscle)
? Contact Stun field use success: 94%
WARNING: The head, neck, face and groin should not be targeted unless the
appropriate level of force can be justified. These areas are sensitive to
mechanical injury (such as crushing to the trachea or testicles if applied
forcefully). (Refer to Police Instructions / TASER Instructions)
Post Deployment Procedures
Probe Removal
? By consent at earliest opportunity
? Only qualified personnel
? Only females remove probe from female subjects (clothing only excluded)
? Only medical personnel will remove if:
? Lodged in bone
? Difficult to remove
? Neck
? Head
? Groin
? Breasts (female)
Probe Removal Procedure
? Use gloves
? Break wires
? Pull straight out
? Check probe and barb
? Secure probe in container
? Mark as bio- hazard
? Treat wound
? Photograph impact sites
Medical Attention
? All persons subjected to a TASER must be examined by a registered medical
doctor as soon as practicable
? Medical attention provided immediately if:
? Does not recover within reasonable time
? Complains of medical condition
? Asks for medical attention
? The subject has an implanted medical device
? In members opinion appears to be suffering from medical condition
Medical Studies
? TASER Devices are among the most extensively studied less-lethal weapons
Excited Delirium
? Definition
? "A state of extreme mental and physiological excitement, characterized by
extreme agitation, hyperthermia, hostility, exceptional strength and endurance
without apparent fatigue"
(Morrison & Sadler, 2001)
Avoid Extended or Repeated Applications
? The application of the TASER device is a physically stressful event
? Especially when dealing with persons in a health crisis such as excited
delirium, it is advisable to minimize the physical and psychological stress to
the subject to the greatest degree possible
? Officers must only apply the number of cycles reasonably necessary to allow
them to safely restrain the subject
Excited Delirium (Example)
Excited Delirium (Example 2)
When dealing with those in an Excited Delirium State:
"There can be no medical treatment without restraint"
Dr. Denmark, Pathologist, Calgary, Alta.
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Ministry of Health
