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1.
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HOW
DOES A TASER® device WORK?
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Upon
firing, compressed nitrogen projects two TASER probes up
to 15 feet (depending on cartridge) at a speed of 180 feet
per second. The probes are connected by thin insulated
wire back to the TASER device. An electrical signal
transmits throughout the region where the probes make
contact with the body or clothing. The result is an
instant impairment of the attacker’s neuromuscular
control and severely impaired to perform coordinated
action. The ADVANCED TASER M18 series uses an automatic
timing mechanism to apply the electric charge for 5
seconds. The X26C system discharges bursts of 10 seconds,
and can be increased up to a maximum of 30 seconds –
enough time for you to flee the area and get to safety.
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2.
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HOW
CAN THE TASER SYSTEM BE SO EFFECTIVE YET BE GENERALLY
SAFE?
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TASER
technology does not depend upon impact or body penetration
to achieve its effect. Its pulsating electrical output
interferes with communication between the brain and the
muscular system,resulting in loss of muscular control. The
electrical pulse from TASER devices It overstimulates the
nerves that control muscle movement it affects them in
their natural mode. The TASER is like a remote control
that takes away the ability of the target to control his
own body – but it does so with minimum violence or
injury because it uses a communication mechanism rather
than relying on physical injury.
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3.
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DOES
THE TASER DEVICE AFFECT THE HEART OR A CARDIAC PACEMAKER?
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The
electrical output from TASER devices is well below the
levels required to cause cardiac arrest, or to physically
damage an implantable cardiac device. A recent study
published in Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
(“PACE” a leading medical journal) indicated that it
takes over 15 times the electrical charge from the X26
before ventricular fibrillation can occur, even in
subjects as low as 60 pounds body weight. Further, a
recent study of TASER devices published by Defense
Scientific and Medical Laboratories, (Ministry of Defense
of the United Kingdom) found that “The threshold peak
current density for generation of ventricular fibrillation
for the simulated M26 waveform was greater than 70-fold
the modelled current density predicted to occur at the
heart during Taser discharge. In the case of the simulated
X26 waveform, the threshold peak current density was
greater than 240-fold the modelled current density.”
Further validating a significant safety margin for these
devices.
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4.
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ISN’T
HIGH VOLTAGE LETHAL?
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High
voltage, in itself, is not dangerous. One can receive a
25,000-volt shock of static electricity from a doorknob on
a dry day without harm. The physiological effect of
electrical shock is determined by: the current, its
duration, and the power source that produces the shock.
The typical household current of 110 volts is dangerous
because it can pump many amperes of current throughout the
body indefinitely. Remember that the household wall outlet
is connected to massive power plants with virtually
unlimited power output capability. By contrast, the
ADVANCED TASER power supply consists of 8 AA alkaline
batteries capable of supplying 26 watts of electrical
power for a few seconds. The TASER X26 operates on two
small lithium batteries similar to those used in digital
cameras – batteries that cannot generate large amounts
of electrical power.
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5.
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WILL
THE TASER DEVICE CAUSE ELECTROCUTION?
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No.
The output is metered by the electronics and the
electrical energy in each pulse is always the same,
regardless of the target condition. Rick Smith, Co-founder
and CEO of TASER International was even shot with a TASER
while standing in water to prove this point. The
electrical output will not be transferred from one person
to another even if they touch – unless you touch between
the two probes and become part of the circuit.
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6.
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WHAT
ARE THE AFTEREFFECTS?
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A
person hit with a TASER device will usually fall to the
ground and may feel dazed for several seconds. Generally,
recovery is fast and the effects stop the very instant
that the M26 TASER device shuts off. Some will experience
critical response amnesia and others will experience
tingling sensations afterwards. The pulsating electrical
output causes involuntary muscle contractions and a
resulting sense of vertigo. It can momentarily stun or
render immobilized. Some individuals have experienced
athletic type injuries and injuries from falls. Although
designed to maximize safety, the TASER is not risk free
and should not be used lightly. For full product warnings
please click here.
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7.
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MUST
THE PROBES PENETRATE THE BODY TO BE EFFECTIVE?
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No.
The electrical current will “jump” up to 2 inches as
long as both probes are attached to clothing or skin. At
most, only the 3/8-inch needlepoint will penetrate the
skin. Both probes need to be within a cumulative 2 inches
of the body to stop an attacker (e.g. if one probe is
touching, the other can be up to 2 inches away, or each
probe can be one inch away – the total spark distance is
a maximum of 2 inches for both probes together).
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8.
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WHAT
IF THE PROBES MISS?
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The
TASER system can work if one probe hits a human and the
second falls on grass or dirt as the power may connect
through the ground. However, the results depreciate
substantially if the second probe lands on concrete,
asphalt or not all on wood floors. If the probes miss, the
M26 TASER device can be used in a touch-stun mode by
aggressively touching the front of the device to the
target. The user is thus provided with two backups. A
secondary Cartridge holder is available that holds a
backup cartridge below the TASER’s handgrip. A final
backup if the probes miss the target is the touch stun
feature. Should the user miss or engage a second attacker,
the ADVANCED TASER device can applied directly to the
target and it will work like a powerful touch-stun device.
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9.
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CAN
TASER SYSTEMS CAUSE FIRE?
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The
TASER systems will not ignite standard solids, clothing,
or other common materials. However, the spark from a TASER
device can ignite some flammable liquids, vapors,
chemicals such as would be found in methamphetamine labs
or sensitive explosives. The TASER device should not be
used anywhere that cigarettes are forbidden for fire
safety reasons. TASER use should be avoided on anyone who
has been sprayed with an alcohol-based chemical spray –
including some alcohol-based pepper sprays — which could
ignite.
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10.
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WHAT
ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF EYE INJURY?
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The
TASER system can cause serious eye injuries if the probe
strikes the eye area. The TASER device should always be
aimed at the attacker’s chest or back, since both probes
need to hit some part of the body to be effective. The
torso provides the largest surface area to hit. The TASER
device should never be aimed toward an attacker’s face.
This is a serious self-defense device and should be
treated as such.
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11.
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HOW
WILL THE ADVANCED TASER PREVENT CRIMINAL USE?
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Our
mission is to ensure technology can play a positive role
in our society. To that end, an Anti-Felon Identification
(AFID) system is used so criminal use of the TASER device
can be traced from evidence dispersed by the device itself
to provide the exact identification of the Air Cartridge
purchaser. No other self-protection device in the world
not guns, chemical and pepper sprays, touch-stun devices
nor batons can be traced from evidence at the scene of the
crime directly to the registration of the user.
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12.
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WHAT
IS THE BEST-SHOT AT MAXIMUM RANGE?
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As
long as the spread of the probes is at least four inches,
the TASER device should be extremely effective. To ensure
that the spread is greater than four inches, the ADVANCED
TASER should be fired at a target several feet away. The
optimum shot is from seven to ten feet away form the
target to achieve maximum effect using a 15-foot cartridge
and 12-18 for a 25-foot cartridge. Although the TASER has
been found to have a high degree of effectiveness, it is
not a “magic bullet.” You should always have a backup
plan and be prepared to use the touch-stun capability in
case you miss the target or do not get both probes within
the required 2-inch cumulative arc limitation.
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13.
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DOES
TEMPERATURE HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT?
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Yes.
For the ADVANCED TASER M18, the batteries limit the
effectiveness in cold and extremely hot temperatures.
Alkaline batteries perform poorly at freezing
temperatures. However, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
rechargeable batteries can be substituted in a freezing
climate, as their performances are better suited in colder
climates. The heat issue is only an issue if the ADVANCED
TASER were left sitting in the sun, once again adversely
affecting the batteries. The TASER X26C uses lithium
batteries that provide superior cold weather performance.
However, the batteries will drain faster in cold
environments – so you will get fewer total discharges in
cold environments. The X26C has a built-in digital battery
indicator that is calibrated to account for the effects of
cold weather on battery condition. As for the Air
Cartridge, it utilizes compressed nitrogen (an inert gas).
The TASER compressed air capsules have successfully held
their charges at temperatures of minus 20º F and up to
160º F. Moreover, altitude will not adversely effect the
firing of a TASER device. In addition, the normal
environmental temperatures will not effect TASER system
itself. However, as with any product containing
polycarbonates and other thermoplastics, the ADVANCED
TASER device and Air Cartridges should not be left in
direct sunlight in hot climates for extended periods of
time.
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*
Prohibited citizen use in DC, MA, RI, NY, NJ, WI, MI, HI
& certain cities & counties. CT and IL legal with
restrictions. Check local laws on carrying electronic
control devices.
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