Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs), commonly known as Tasers, are designed to temporarily override voluntary muscle control. The weapon fires two small probes connected by insulated wires, which deliver a pulsed electrical current into the target. The fundamental goal of this electrical discharge is to achieve Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI), which stops a person’s ability to coordinate movement.
How Taser Technology Affects the Body
The electrical pulses delivered by a Taser are specifically tuned to mimic the signals transmitted by the motor nervous system. When the probes establish a circuit, the electrical energy floods the motor nerves between the two points of contact, overwhelming the body’s natural command system.
This results in a rapid, involuntary, and sustained contraction of the skeletal muscles in the affected area. This uncontrolled muscle action is the mechanism of NMI, causing the person to fall or become temporarily immobilized.
The effectiveness of the incapacitation is strongly linked to the spread between the two probes. A wider spread across large muscle groups, such as the back or torso, recruits more motor nerves, maximizing the involuntary muscle lock-up and the duration of temporary paralysis.
Anatomical Risks of Targeting the Neck
Targeting the neck is hazardous due to the concentration of structures regulating the body’s basic functions within a small, unprotected area. The neck contains the carotid arteries, the trachea, the larynx, and the main trunk of the vagus nerve, all positioned superficially. The proximity of these structures means that an electrical discharge or the mechanical trauma of the probes can cause severe injury.
The carotid arteries, which supply blood directly to the brain, are highly vulnerable to damage. Intense muscle contraction or direct mechanical impact can result in a tear in the artery wall, known as a dissection. This dissection can lead to a clot that may travel to the brain, causing an ischemic stroke.
The vagus nerve (Cranial Nerve X) runs down the side of the neck and plays a central role in the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating heart rate and breathing. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can inappropriately activate these autonomic responses, leading to dangerous physiological changes.
The anterior structures of the neck, including the trachea and larynx, are also at risk. Direct stimulation or severe, involuntary contraction of the surrounding neck muscles can injure the delicate laryngeal structures, potentially leading to a sudden obstruction of the airway.
Immediate Medical Complications
The anatomical vulnerabilities of the neck translate into several specific, immediate medical complications. One cardiovascular risk is vagal-mediated bradycardia, or a dangerously slow heart rate. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can trigger an excessive parasympathetic response, slowing the heart rate to the point of collapse or cardiac arrest.
Airway complications present an acute threat to life. Electrical interference with the nerves controlling the vocal cords can precipitate a laryngospasm, which is the involuntary, sustained closure of the vocal cords. This results in partial or complete airway obstruction, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs and causing rapid hypoxia.
Vascular injuries primarily involve carotid artery dissection. This internal tear can cause immediate or delayed stroke symptoms as blood flow to the brain is compromised by a hematoma or an embolizing blood clot. A stroke resulting from this injury can occur hours or even days after the initial Taser application.
The probes themselves can cause direct trauma to the larynx or trachea, leading to swelling or hematoma formation that mechanically obstructs the airway. These complications can quickly compound, turning a temporary incapacitation event into a medical emergency.
Safety Protocols for Taser Use
Due to the significant risks of severe injury or death, the neck, head, and chest are designated as “areas to avoid” in official guidance for Taser use. Manufacturer warnings and police training protocols explicitly prohibit intentional targeting of these sensitive areas. This prohibition minimizes the risk of causing cardiac dysrhythmia, vascular injury, or airway compromise.
The preferred target area for deployment is the lower center mass, or the back, to maximize NMI by engaging the largest muscle groups. Aiming for this area achieves temporary incapacitation while avoiding the high concentration of vital organs and nerves. When probes inadvertently strike the neck or head, immediate medical monitoring is required to detect any delayed complications.