A Taser, also known as a conducted energy weapon (CEW), is a handheld device designed to incapacitate an individual through the delivery of an electrical current. It typically fires two small barbed darts connected by thin wires to the main unit. This device serves as a less-lethal force option for law enforcement and is also available for civilian self-defense in some regions.
The Immediate Experience
When a Taser is activated, it delivers a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical current, usually around 50,000 volts, to the body. This current overrides the body’s nervous system, causing neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). The electrical pulses induce intense, involuntary muscle contractions, making voluntary movement difficult or impossible. This results in immediate incapacitation and considerable pain, described as severe muscle spasms. The incapacitation and pain typically cease as soon as the electrical cycle, which usually lasts about 5 seconds, is deactivated.
Physical Aftermath and Recovery
Immediately after a Taser discharge, individuals often experience a range of physical effects. Muscle soreness and fatigue are common due to the intense, involuntary contractions. Disorientation and temporary memory loss can also occur, particularly if the Taser probes made contact with the head. These cognitive effects are generally short-lived.
The Taser darts can leave small puncture wounds where they penetrated the skin. These sites may also show localized superficial burns or redness due to the passage of the electrical current. While these marks typically resolve within a few days, it is important to monitor them for any signs of infection. Most discomfort, including muscle soreness, usually subsides within hours, though some soreness might persist for a day or two.
Potential Health Risks and Complications
Despite being considered a less-lethal option, Taser exposure carries potential health risks and complications. Injury from falls is a risk, as involuntary muscle contractions can cause an individual to lose balance and fall, potentially leading to head injuries, fractures, or other musculoskeletal trauma. Vertebral compression fractures have been reported as a direct result of Taser discharge.
Cardiac events are a concern, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or those under the influence of stimulants. While Taser exposure typically does not cause a heart attack, it can induce heart rhythm disturbances, such as ventricular arrhythmias or even sudden cardiac arrest, particularly if the darts land near the chest. Respiratory distress can occur if probes impact the chest or diaphragm, affecting breathing. Rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue, is another potential complication, particularly with repeated or prolonged exposure, which can lead to kidney issues. Improper probe removal or inadequate wound care can also lead to skin infections at the puncture sites.
When to Seek Medical Care
Prompt medical evaluation is advisable for anyone who has been tased, even if initial symptoms appear minor. Immediate medical attention should be sought if an individual experiences persistent pain, difficulty breathing, or chest pain after Taser exposure. Loss of consciousness at any point following the event also warrants immediate professional assessment.
Individuals should seek medical care if they show signs of severe injury from a fall, such as head trauma or suspected fractures. If the puncture wounds from the probes develop increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, pus drainage, or red streaks, these indicate a potential infection requiring medical intervention. People with pre-existing medical conditions, especially cardiac issues, or those under the influence of substances when tased, should also be evaluated by a healthcare professional due to increased risk of complications. Additionally, proper removal of embedded probes by trained personnel is important, and wound sites should be monitored for infection.