ABSTRACT

Objectives: TASER electronic control devices (ECDs) are used by law enforcement to subdue aggressive persons. Some deaths temporally proximate to their use have occurred. There is speculation that these devices can cause dangerous cardiac rhythms. Swine research supports this hypothesis and has reported significant tachyarrhythmias. It is not known if this occurs in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of tachyarrhythmias in human subjects subjected to an ECD application.

Methods: This was a prospective, nonblinded study. Human volunteers underwent limited echocardiography before, during, and after a 10-second TASER X26 ECD application with preplaced thoracic electrodes positioned in the upper right sternal border and the cardiac apex. Images were analyzed using M-mode through the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve for evidence of arrhythmia. Heart rate (HR) and the presence of sinus rhythm were determined. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: A total of 34 subjects were enrolled. There were no adverse events reported. The mean HR prior to starting the event was 108.7 beats min (range 65 to 146 beats min, 95% CI = 101.0 to 116.4 beats min). During the ECD exposure, the mean HR was 120.1 beats min (range 70 to 158 beats - min, 95% CI = 112.2 to 128.0 beats min) and a mean of 94.1 beats min (range 55 to 121 beats min, 95% CI = 88.4 to 99.7 beats min) at 1 minute after ECD exposure. Sinus rhythm was clearly demonstrated in 21 (61.7%) subjects during ECD exposure (mean HR 121.4 beats min; range 75 to 158 beats min, 95% CI = 111.5 to 131.4). Sinus rhythm was not clearly demonstrated in 12 subjects due to movement artifact (mean HR 117.8 beats min, range 70 to 152 beats min, 95% CI = 102.8 to 132.8 beats min).

Conclusions: A 10-second ECD exposure in an ideal cardiac axis application did not demonstrate concerning tachyarrhythmias using human models. The swine model may have limitations when evaluating ECD technology.

INTRODUCTION
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation and device's mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) technology. Someone struck by a Taser experiences stimulation of his or her sensory nerves and motor nerves, resulting in strong involuntary muscle contractions. Tasers do not rely only on pain compliance. At the present time, there are two main police models, the M26 and X26. Both come with various accessories, including a laser sight and mounted digital video camera that can record in low-light situations. Taser International is also marketing a civilian model called the C2. Tasers were introduced as less-lethal weapons to be used by police to subdue fleeing, belligerent, or potentially dangerous subjects, often when what they consider to be a more lethal weapon would have otherwise been used. The use of Tasers has become controversial following instances of Taser use that have resulted in serious injury and death.

What is a Taser?
 A Taser is a weapon. It is a less-than-lethal weapon, according to the Department of Justices National Institute of Justice, which defines a less-than-lethal weapon as one that is designed to temporarily incapacitate or restrain an individual when lethal force is not appropriate. Less-than-lethal weapons and devices include, among others, pepper spray, stun guns, batons, and night sticks. (1) It is a non-lethal weapon, according to Taser manufacturers who quote the U.S. Department of Defense policy, which defines non-lethal weapons as weapon systems that are explicitly designed and primarily employed so as to incapacitate personnel or material, while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to property and the environment...It is important to note that Department of Defense policy does not require or expect non-lethal weapons "to have a zero probability of producing fatalities or permanent injuries." Rather, non-lethal weapons are intended to significantly reduce the probability of such fatalities or injuries as compared with traditional military weapons which achieve their effects through the physical destruction of targets.

BASIC PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

The basic principle of operation is based on the Ohms Law. Uses a temporary high-voltage low-current electrical discharge to override the body's muscle-triggering mechanisms. APPLYING electroshock devices to more sensitive parts of the body is more painful. The Ohms Law states that the ratio of voltage to current is a constant called Resistance. These were the first developed Tasers. These were not provided with probes.

HISTORY OF TASER DEVICES

1969 - NASA Scientist Jack Cover's TASER TF-76
The original TASER device (the TF-76) was launched in the mid 1970s by a NASA scientist named Jack Cover, the TASER device inventor. The TASER TF-76 fired two darts up to a distance of 15 feet. These darts remained attached to the hand-held device by small, thin, insulated wires. The original TASER used a gunpowder propellant to launch the darts. Because of the explosive propellant, the TF-76 was classified by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and also now Explosives, as a firearm. Because it did not fit the specifications for either a pistol or a long gun, the TF-76 was classified as a Title 2 weapon - the same as a "sawed-off" shotgun. This classification meant that the TASER TF76 could only be sold with special permits that were expensive and difficult to obtain (just like it would be for a "sawed-off" shotgun). Accordingly, the TF-76 could only effectively be sold to law enforcement agencies. While the Title 2 weapon classification did not adversely effect law enforcement agencies' acquisition and use of the early TASER devices, it did prevent most civilians from acquiring, possessing, and using the devices. Shortly after the TF-76 was classified as a Title 2 weapon, TASER Systems (the company that made the TF76) collapsed.

TASER 34000 - 2nd Generation TASER Device

In December of 1994, this work culminated with the launch of the AIR TASER model 34000. The design intention of the AIR TASER 34000 was to use the same electrical output as the original TASER TF-76, but with a compressed air propulsion system that would comply with federal firearm statutes and allow for private citizen sales. The AIR TASER 34000 implemented an innovative new technology called AFID (Anti-Felon Identification), which used serialized confetti tags dispersed from every cartridge at the time of firing. These ID tags would enable law enforcement to trace persons who misused a TASER device. This was another first for weapons' use accountability - a self-defense device that left a tracer back to the purchaser. Also, the AFIDs are made in both paper and clear Mylar - making it more difficult for a criminal to pick up the AFID evidence of his crime. Also, some of the AFIDs are made to literally glow under a black light, thus making them very easy for law.

ADVANCED TASER M26 Is Born

Following this highly embarrassing Czech debacle, the company set out to develop a more effective device - a device that would not only involve discomfort, but also interfere with voluntary muscle control. The result of this development was the ADVANCED TASER M26. Earlier generations of TASER devices such as the TF-76 and the AIR TASER 34000 caused a strong shock sensation. However, focused or pain-insensitive subjects, such as the police volunteers in Prague, could fight through these effects. Accordingly, these earliergeneration devices can be considered stun devices. Their effects may psychologically stun the subject, but they did not cause involuntary incapacitation.

COMPONENTS

The main components of Taser x26 are: Compressed Nitrogen Cartridge Digital Pulse Controller(DPC) Laser Sight Central Information Display(CID) Dataport Digital Power Magazine(DPM) High Voltage Insulated Wires Barbed Darts Trigger

DIGITAL PULSE CONTROL (DPC)

An internal circuit including the microprocessor of the X26 and various support hardware. When the X26 is fired, the DPC measures the time between each shaped pulse discharged from the device. The DPC then regulates the power throughput of the pulse generator to maintain a constant pulse rate. In previous generation pulse energy weapons such as the M26, the pulse rate of the weapon would vary greatly depending on battery conditions. Particularly, in colder weather, the pulse rate could slow dramatically as battery performance decreased. The DPC in the X26 adjusts power consumption to compensate for changes in environmental conditions in order to maintain a constant pulse rate, and therefore consistent incapacitation performance, across a broad temperature range from - 4 degrees F (- 20 degrees C) to 122 degrees F (50 degrees C). The DPC automatically delivers a 5-second burst for each pull of the trigger. The DPC uses a constant pulse rate for optimal performance. The DPC runs at 19 pulses per second.

CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY (CID)

Digital display that communicates battery percentage, duration remaining during pulse discharge, time, date, and warranty status. The CID is a twodigit display on the back of the TASER X26 that provides the following information:

DPM

Power

Level

(Energy

Cell

Indicator):

When the safety switch is up (ARMED), the CID will display the percentage of DPM power remaining. This indication will last for fiveseconds. After five-seconds, the CID will display two dots to indicate the system remains armed.

Spark

Duration:

When the TASER X26 is deployed, it delivers a five-second Shaped Pulse energy burst. The CID displays a countdown from five to zero indicating how many seconds remain in the current burst. The burst can be stopped at any time by positioning the safety switch to the down (SAFE) position.

Illumination Selector (Laser and LED Flashlights):

The operator can select four modes of illumination when using the TASER X26. To change the illumination setting:

Place the safety switch in the down (SAFE) position, remove the TASER cartridge, and aim

theTASER X26 in a safe direction (such as toward the ground). Note: The illumination selector is disabled if the safety switch is in the up (ARMED) position. Press and hold the Illumination Selector for approximately one-second until the CID display illuminates. Press and release the Illumination Selector to toggle through the four available settings until the setting you desire is designated on the CID. Stop when the setting you desire is displayed. LF: Laser and Flashlight both

illuminate LO: OF: OO: Laser Only will illuminate Only Flashlight will illuminate Neither the Laser nor the Flashlight will illuminate and the CID display is dimmed The final selected mode displays for five-seconds, and will be the default mode the next time the safety switch is moved to the up (ARMED) position.

ENHANCED USB DATAPORT

Duration of Discharge and Temperature - The X26 dataport stores not only the
time and date of each discharge, but also the duration of each discharge and the system internal temperature at the time of discharge. If the trigger switch is pressed again and held down during the first 5-second discharge, this is counted as one firing period (even if the trigger is held down beyond the normal five seconds, extending the cycle). If the first firing stops and the trigger is pressed again, the log will show two separate firings.

Interior Data Connection - The dataport on the M26 used an Ethernet-style connector
on the outside of the weapon. This required a separate rubber plug to keep dirt and moisture from penetrating the weapon. On the X26, the dataport interface is inside the DPM compartment and can only be accessed by removing the DPM. This reduces the risk of particulate matter and moisture penetrating the operating electronics of the X26.

Automatic Daylight Savings and Time Zone Calculations - The X26 is

programmed to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The conversion to local time, including adjustments to daylight savings time, is all computed in the PC-based software. There is no need to program the weapon to local time or to reprogram the weapon to daylight savings time. Each weapon is programmed to GMT at the factory, and should only need to be reprogrammed in the field in the event of a malfunction or loss of power for an extended period of time. The X26 data download reports show the time and date in both GMT and local time. If the X26 time is ever lost or reprogrammed, the firing log will show the time change information in the fire log data.

Secure .x26 data files - The data downloads are saved in encrypted data files that help
prevent tampering. This helps preserve the admissibility of X26 dataport download reports for use in court. The X26 will store the last 1500+ firings in its memory.

DIGITAL POWER MAGAZINE (DPM)

Integrated power source with lithium battery cells and solid state memory module for tracking power consumption, power levels remaining, and allows for software updates to be distributed via battery replacement. The Digital Power Magazine is much more than just a lithium energy cell power supply system for the X26. In addition to the lithium energy cells that power the X26, the DPM also contains an onboard memory chip that maintains a record of the remaining power level in the DPM. The DPM memory also contains specific information of energy cell performance and life expectancy for the energy cell pack at various temperatures and for various loads. The X26 keeps track of how much the various features of the weapon are affecting the energy cell life and updates the memory in the DPM accordingly. The battery percentage indicated is a calculated value and not a direct reading of the battery voltage. Do not store the DPM anywhere that the gold contacts on the top of the DPM may touch metal objects. If you cause

an electrical short between these contacts, it will drain the lithium energy cells, but the DPM will continue to show 99% power. The power level indicator only registers power consumed by the X26. If you short-circuit the DPM, the DPM will malfunction and the energy lost during the short circuit will not be registered or tracked in the DPM. The DPM also contains memory that can update the X26 device software, and add extended warranties to the X26. The X26 must be stored with DPM/XDPM inserted at all times. If the DPM/XDPM is left out for an extended period of time, software in the X26 may be damaged resulting in possible failure of the device and the date/time may be reset. The DPM has enough power for approximately 195 five-second firings depending on temperature. The DPM will use more energy in colder weather than warm weather.

TASER X26 CARTRIDGE

The Taser X26 requires cartridges and these are available separately. We can recognise the cartridge for the Taser X26C as it includes what are known as blast doors and these are coloured yellow. Within the cartridges are two small probes (or electrodes) that attach to the assailant when fired from the Taser. The probes for the Taser cartridges are propelled by nitrogen gas, which can reach an assailant up to fifteen feet away. The cartridges probes are attached to wiring that is insulated to carry the high voltage produced by the X26. The cartridge works with the Taser X26C and is also compatible with the Taser M18 and Taser M18L.

Cartridges for the Taser X26 have a 5 year shelf life and its probes are propelled at a speed of 160 feet per second. The design of the cartridge allows for easy reloading of the Taser which is an obvious advantage if you are under pressure.

TASING (OPERATION OF TASER)

When you pull the trigger of a Taser gun, a blast of compressed nitrogen launches its two barbed darts at 55 metres per second, less than a fifth the speed of a bullet from a typical pistol. Each projectile, which weighs 1.6 grams, has a 9-millimeter-long tip to penetrate clothing and the insulating outer layer of skin. Two whisper-thin wires trail behind for up to 9 meters, forming an electrical connection to the gun. Because the barbs get stuck in the clothing and fail to reach the skin about 30 percent of the time, the gun is designed to generate a brief arcing pulse, which ionizes the intervening air to establish a conductive path for the electricity. The arcing phase has an open-circuit peak voltage of 50kV; that is, the voltage is 50 kilovolts only until the arc appears or until the barbs make contact with conductive flesh. The targets body is never exposed to 50kV. The X26 model delivers a peak voltage of 1200 V to the body. Once the barbs establish a circuit, the gun generates a series of 100-microsec pulses at a rate of 19 /sec. Each pulse carries 100 micro coulombs of charge, so that the average current is 1.9 mill amperes. To force the muscles to contract without risking electrocution, the signal was designed to exploit the difference between heart muscle and skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle constitutes 40 percent of a typical persons mass and is responsible for making your biceps flex, your fingers type, and your eyelids wink. Its organized into bundles of single-cell fibres that stretch from tendons attached to your skeleton. When your brain orders a muscle to flex, an electrical impulse shoots down a motor nerve to its termination at the midpoint of a muscle fiber. There the electrical signal changes into a chemical one, and the nerve ending sprays a molecular transmitter, acetylcholine, onto the muscle. In the milliseconds before enzymes have a chance to chew it up, some of the acetylcholine sticks to them, they open, allowing the sodium ions in the surrounding salty fluid to rush in.

The movement of these ions raises the cells internal voltage, opening nearby ion channels that are triggered by voltage instead of acetylcholine. As a result, a wave of voltage rolls outward along the fiber toward both ends of the muscle, moving as fast as 5 meters per second. As the voltage pulse spreads, it kick starts the molecular machinery that contracts the muscle fiber. By directly joining the motor nerves with electricity, a Taser can stimulate the muscle and get the same effect. The force with which a skeletal muscle contracts depends on the frequency at which its nerve fires. The amount of contraction elicited is proportional to the stimulation rate, up to about 70 pulses per second. At that point, called tetanus, contractions can be dangerously strong. The Taser, with its 19 pulses per second, operates far enough from the tetanus region so that the muscles contract continuously but without causing any major damage. The Taser takes advantage of two natural protections against electrocution that arise from the difference between skeletal and cardiac muscle. The first - anatomy is so obvious that it is typically overlooked. The skeletal muscles are on the outer shell of the body; the heart is nestled farther inside. The second protection results from the different timing requirements of the nerves that trigger muscle contractions and the hearts muscle intrinsic electronics. To look up skeletal muscle without causing ventricular fibrillation, an electronic waveform has to have a specific configuration of pulse length and current

SHAPED PULSE TECHNOLOGY

The Shaped Pulse generator is the technology revolution that made the X26 and C2 possible. Previous generation conducted energy weapons use a simple highenergy, blunt pulse to penetrate through the skin and clothing barriers that serve as protective armour around the body. Over 90% of the energy is lost in the process of barrier penetration. For this reason, high power levels (26-Watts) are required to generate an NMI effect, requiring large batteries that add weight and size to the M26 device (18 ounces total). Patented Shaped Pulse technology uses a highly refined energy pulse that concentrates a small portion of energy to first penetrate the barrier, while the majority of electrical charge is

held in reserve, flowing freely through the barrier once the leading edge has penetrated. The Shaped Pulse is comprised of two pulse phases. The first phase, called the Arc Phase is optimized to generate a very high voltage to penetrate clothing, skin or other barriers. The Arc Phase is a very high voltage short duration pulse that can arc through up to 2 cumulative inches of clothing or barriers, or one inch per probe. Once the arc is created, the air in the arc is ionized and becomes a low impedance electrical conductor that conducts the second pulse phase into the body. The second phase of the Shaped Pulse is the stimulation phase, or Stim Phase. The Stim Phase does not have to arc across a barrier, since this was accomplished by the Arc Phase. The Stim phase only has to flow across the highly conductive arc from the Arc Phase. Hence, the Stim Phase is optimized to provide maximum incapacitation for a human target while operating at superefficient power levels. The timing is so fast that to most electronic instrumentation, and all human observers, the Shaped Pulse appears as just one output pulse (arc). The result of Shaped Pulse NMI technology is a highperformance, highly efficient system with an

incapacitating effect thats greater than even the vaunted M26, in a weapon that is 60% smaller, 60% lighter and consumes 1/5th the power.

An Illustrative Representation of the TASER M26 Circuit The electric current from the battery of cells is directed into a transformer (Transformer 1) that steps up the voltage by a factor of roughly 200, from 10 to 2,000 volts. As the transformer steps-up the voltage by 200x, it also steps-down the current by 200x, from 4 amperes input to roughly 0.02 amperes (the actual output is less, about 0.013 amperes due to inefficiencies). The output of Transformer 1 is connected to a capacitor. A capacitor is a device that stores electric energy, just like a bucket would store a flow of water. Similar to a bucket, a capacitor can only hold so much energy. Once the capacitor is full, it dumps its energy into Transformer 2. Transformer 2 steps the voltage up again, from 2,000 volts to a peak of 50,000 volts. Similarly, the current drops again to an even lower output current. One important note - the 50,000 volts is a peak potential voltage, or open circuit voltage; it is not what is actually delivered to the person on the receiving end. If we return to the water analogy, the wires from the TASER device to the target are like hoses that carry the current. If you place a section of plastic wrap over the end of a garden hose, the pressure will build up

inside the hose. At some point, the plastic wrap will finally burst, and the water will flow out the end. When the plastic bursts and the water starts to flow out, the pressure inside the hose drops, and the pressure of the water flowing out is actually lower than the peak pressure that developed within the hose itself. In a TASER system, the wires do not always make contact with the skin of the target. If there is an air gap between the darts and the body of the subject, the air gap will function as a barrier, just like the plastic wrap on the hose. The voltage (pressure) will build up inside the TASER wires until it can break through the barrier (the maximum would be 50,000 volts, which can break through a barrier of approximately 2 inches of air gap). Once the barrier is breached, the voltage (pressure) drops immediately as the current flows through. In the case of the M26 TASER, the maximum voltage delivered across the body of the target is about 5,000 volts, with only 1.3 volts average (one-second baseline). In the case of the TASER X26, the maximum voltage delivered across the body of the target is about 1,200 volts, with only 0.76 volts average (one-second baseline). The big picture from this illustrative look at the TASER device is to understand that at each level, as the voltage is increased, the output current is decreased.

WHY TASER DEVICES ARE HIGH VOLTAGE???

If we think about a garden hose, the higher the pressure, the farther the water will eject from the end of the hose. Similarly, the TASER device uses high pressure (high voltage) to eject electrons from the tips of the darts across a gap of up to approximately 2 inches of air and clothing and into a conductor such as the human body. Because of the high voltage generated, the darts from the TASER device do not have to penetrate or even touch the skin. The high voltage allows the TASER device electrical output to jump through up to 2 inches of air or clothing to complete the circuit with the targets body. Electricity flows easily through metal wires. However, it cannot flow through the air very easily. It takes about 1,000 volts of pressure to cause an electric arc to jump across a roughly one millimeter (mm) air gap. Accordingly, the TASER device must generate a peak of up to 50,000 volts to jump across a 50 mm (roughly two-inch) air gap.

Without the high peak arcing voltage, the TASER device would need to have much longer probe-tip needles coupled with far stronger probe propulsion to ensure penetration through various types of clothing a subject may wear and to ensure skin penetration to have any effect. This would make the TASER device far more intrusive and more likely to penetrate deeper into the body. In this respect, the usage of high voltage allows us to make the TASER device a safer, less intrusive tool.

50,000V do not enter the body

Even though both the ADVANCED TASER M26 and the TASER X26 have 50,000 peak open circuit voltage, to jump the air gap, neither TASER device delivers 50,000 V to a person's body. The ADVANCED TASER M26 has an average (one second baseline) voltage of 1.3 V, with a peak loaded voltage of 5,000 V, 1,500 V average over duration of pulse. While the TASER X26 has an average (one second baseline) voltage of 0.76 V, with a peak loaded voltage of 1,200 V, 400 V average over duration of pulse.

ITS NOT THE VOLTS, ITS THE CURRENT (AMPERES) THAT MATTER
Many people ask how safe a TASER device can be since it generates a high (peak open circuit) voltage. In fact, voltage is not a key measure of electrical safety. While voltage indicates the pressure behind a flow of electrons and how far that electric current will arc through the air, voltage is not a key indicator of safety or effectiveness when it comes to stimulating the human body. The key indicator for safety and effectiveness is the number of electrons transmitted through the body i.e. the current (I) over time, or the total electric charge (Q) in very short duration discrete pulses, and not the high open circuit peak voltage.

Taser current (amperes) does not last long enough to affect the heart
Consider static electricity. Every one of us has received at least one strong static electricity shock in our lifetime. The typical current pathway is from a doorknob through a fingertip then through the chest and down through the legs to the floor. The shock can be painful and

cause a significant muscle twitch, but it has never caused a cardiac arrhythmia, much less a death. A search of the medical literature shows only one case of a static shock possibly affecting the heart and that individual claimed he was cured of atrial fibrillation (a fairly benign chronic arrhythmia) after a static shock. The current of a strong static shock would easily kill someone if it was continuous. But, it typically lasts less than a millionth [.0000001] of a second and is thus much too short to affect the heart. Also, there is an international standard that sets out the electrical characteristics of a strong static electricity shock. This standard is necessary for many of the electrical devices we use today. Meaning, if a cell phone, a pager, a pacemaker, etc. could not withstand a strong static electricity shock, then each of those electrical devices would soon be damaged. Thus, the International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) has defined a strong static electricity shock as having electrical characteristics of 30,000 volts, 30 amperes peak, and 1,000 ohms. (International Standard IEC-61000-4-2). The maximum current output from a wall outlet is approximately 4,000 times higher current potential that a TASER electronic control device. To appreciate TASER technology, one needs to only imagine a similar, very short shock (actually involving less current) but delivered repeatedly 19 times per second. This can immobilize a violent or resisting subject, but without significant risk of affecting the heart. The TASER X26 is programmed to deliver a very short electrical pulse of approximately 100 microseconds' duration with about 100 microcoulombs of charge at 19 pulses per second for 5 seconds. The voltage across the body is about 1,200 volts during the shock. The peak current of about 3 amperes is far less than that of a strong static electricity shock, which can be as high as 37.5 amperes. The average current from the TASER X26 is approximately 2 milliamperes (0.002 amperes). Now, lets put together what weve discussed about power, voltage, and current. First, the power in a circuit is limited to the power output of a power supply (the battery of cells in the case of a TASER device). We make a sophisticated device, but there is no perpetual motion machine.

This power is further limited by the wire conductors between the TASER device and the target. The TASER device wires are very small, and are not capable of delivering large currents that would require much larger wires such as automobile jumper cables. Further, there is a mathematical relationship between power, voltage, and current: P (power) = I (current) * V (voltage) The big picture is simple for a fixed amount of power, the HIGHER the voltage, the LOWER the current must be. For example, if the battery of cells in a TASER device could output a maximum of 50 watts, the table below would illustrate the maximum voltage and current it could generate: Power 50 W 50 W 50 W 50 W = = = = Voltage 5V 50 V 500 V 50,000 V x x x x Current 10 A 1A 0.1 A 0.001 A

These numbers are for illustration purposes, but the point is important: The higher the voltage, the lower the output current must be! And, again, current is the key measurement for how electricity affects the body.

In Summary
Voltage determines how far an electric arc can jump. Current determines how intensely the human body will react.

TASER ECDs BASIC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Electrical Characteristic
Waveform

Output TASER X26

ADVANCED M26

TASER

Complex (a single cycle 100 kHz 50 kHz damped sine wave with a (kilohertz) arcing phase followed by 17 s decay time constant monophasic 100 s (microsecond) stimulation phase. 48 s decay time constant

Pulse Plots Waveform and stimulation 1 A (ampere) average current during 8.5 A during 10 s main phase capability with typical 400 load Pulse Rate 19 PPS (Pulses Per Second) crystal 20 controlled 25% PPS with NiMH (ohm) the 100 s pulse 0.8 A during full 40 s pulse

rechargeable cells 15 25% PPS with Alkaline cells

Pulse Duration

100 s

40 s full waveform 10 s main phase

Total

per

second 0.0019 seconds

0.0008 seconds (at 20 PPS)

discharge time (on time) Voltage (peak open circuit 50,000 V (volt) arcing) Voltage (peak loaded) 1,200 V 5,000 V 3400 V 320 V 50,000 V

Avg. voltage over duration 400 V of main phase 350 V Avg. voltage over duration of full pulse Voltage average (one 0.76 V second baseline)

1.3 V

second baseline) milliamperes

[0.001 A]

Energy per pulse at 0.36 J (joules) main capacitor Energy per pulse 0.07 J

delivered into load Delivered charge main 100 C (microcoulombs), 88 C net phase Power delivered to main 7 W (watts) nominal capacitor Power output delivered 1.3 W into load Power source Digital Power Magazine two 3 V photo cells [Duracell Ultra, CR123A] 8 AA Alkaline cells (1.5 V per cell) Expected number of Approximately 195 five-second 200300 typical on 8 AA NiMH cells (1.2 V per cell) or 7.39 W at 15 PPS 26 W nominal 85 C, 32 C net

TASER device discharges discharges, from fresh battery of cells

Expected

TASER pulses per battery pp/5s; 95 pp/5s x 195 discharges = eight NiMH AA [1700 mA H of cells 18,525 pulses per battery of cells (milliampere hour)] penlight cells [this can conservatively be rounded have been tested to continuously off to 20,000 pulses] discharge for up to 6.5 minutes which conservatively calculates to approximately 6,000 pulses per fresh battery of cells]

Current

average (one 2.1 mA or 0.0021 A (average 3.6 mA or 0.0036 A (average rectified current) rectified current)

(mA) 1.9 mA current from main phase 1.7 mA current from main phase which is a better estimate of which is a better estimate of stimulation capacity

stimulation capacity

1.76 J

0.50 J

depending

temperature, battery charge, and load characteristics.

number

of 20,000 pulses [19 pps x 5 s = 95 6,000 pulses [M26 with battery of

Anti-Felon Identification (AFID)

A system to deter misuse through enhanced accountability. Every time a TASER cartridge is deployed, 20-30 small confetti-like Anti-Felon Identification (AFID) tags are ejected. Each AFID is printed with the serial number of the cartridge deployed, allowing law enforcement to determine which cartridge was fired.

GENERAL TASER ECD BENEFITS

 Dramatically Improved Officer Safety
Law enforcement professionals undertake a very dangerous job, dealing with all kinds of security threats. Agencies deploying TASER devices have seen dramatic reductions of up to 83% in the injury rates to their officers.

 Reduced Risk of Injury to Suspects

TASER devices have among the lowest injury rate of any force option, allowing potentially violent offenders to be controlled with minimal risk of injury compared to traditional blunt force options.

 Improved Community Relations

Agencies deploying TASER devices frequently report significant reductions in the number of citizen complaints. This is a result of both the reduced risk of injuries with TASER technology (fewer injuries mean fewer claims) providing greater accountability.

 Fewer Lethal Force Escalations

The TASER option allows officers to control situations before they escalate to lethal force levels. Many agencies report fewer lethal force incidents and some cities, such as Miami and Seattle, achieved full 12month periods without a lethal force incident.

 Save Money and Reduce Use-of-Force Litigation

Fewer injuries and deaths reduce liability exposure. The Michigan State Risk Management Authority found that TASER devices have decreased overall excessive force litigation by approximately 75% in over 40 agencies.

UNIQUE TASER X26 BENEFITS

y Convenient Full Time Carry
 Weighing only 7 ounces, the TASER X26 is compact and lightweight for full time carry. It also includes a holster.

y Advanced Accountability
 The enhanced USB dataport and optional TASER CAM upgrade offers unprecedented accountability. These features can also be extremely helpful in litigation defence.

y Long Life Batteries

 The DPM battery in the TASER X26 has a ten year shelf life and a digital read-out, so you know exactly how much capacity remains.

y Illumination in Dark Conditions

 The TASER X26 includes integrated low intensity illuminators to provide additional light during night-time deployments.

ADVANCED FEATURES
60% smaller in size and weight than the ADVANCED TASER M26 Greater incapacitating power than the ADVANCED TASER M26 Optimized for full-time carry on the duty belt Software upgradable Integrated laser sight with low intensity lights Central Information Display (CID) indicates countdown timer during an activation, battery level and warranty information

Other types of "Taser :  Xrep:

Taser international have produced an eXtended Range Electronic Projectile. This is a small shotgun round sized stun gun which can be fired from an ordinary 12 gauge shotgun up to 100m.As it is fired, part of the chassis breaks away to reveal four barbs, which are electrically charged with the built in battery and charging circuit in the projectile. It will deliver a continuous shock to the target for 20 seconds. As it exits the shotgun, it produces stabilization fins for increased accuracy. The impact of the shot causes the chassis to break away and deploy extra electrodes, to increase the area of effect.

 Liquid Taser:
Currently, other types of tasers are being researched including the liquid taser. This works by replacing the probes and wires with a liquid, such as salt water. This would allow you to fire it multiple times without reloading, and would be easier to hit moving targets.

DRAWBACKS
Taser guns have proven to be beneficial to law enforcement officials but are they really safe to the individual being shocked? If the person is healthy the shock from a Taser is found to have little effect on their system. Those same findings are not true for an individual who has heart disease, is pregnant, wears pacemaker, has a history of alcohol or drug abuse or has been exposed to repeated shocks. According to studies of Amnesty International USA, there have been 277 people who have died after being shocked by a Taser since June 2001. Compression fractures, injuries due to falling from the shock, seizure from repeated shocks or Taser probes ending up in a persons throat, groin or eyes are some of the more serious injuries from improper use of a Taser. Research has found out that use of Tasers when an individual is already in custody is increased. Suspects have been threatened with the use of Taser if they do not cooperate. Of the in-custody deaths from Tasers Amnesty Internationals records revealed a trend. Of the 74 deaths, at least 44 cases showed multiple uses of force which included baton use, chemical spray, and hogtying and taser deployment. The other issues on the use of stun guns are the proper training, uses of force and the lack of regulations and policies. Some police agencies do not require police officers to take training for the use of Tasers and the agencies that do require officers to go through training, number of hours compared to firearm training is very low.

CHECKLOK

To prevent TASER devices from falling into the wrong hands, TASER International has developed an innovative new technology called CheckLok. CheckLok is an integrated computer based system that prevents a TASER device from being used until the operator has obtained an activation code after completing registration and a background check. TASER devices with CheckLok technology are shipped in an inactive state. The microprocessor that controls the entire TASER system is locked down and cannot function until after activation code is entered. The purchaser of the device can either call a toll free number (1-888-TASER-88) or visit a secure website to complete the identity verification, product registration, and obtain the activation code. We at TASER International pride ourselves on developing the most advanced technology to ensure responsible use of our devices. After all, its our society too, and we want it to be as safe and secure as possible.

CONCLUSION
Of all the non-lethal weapons available in the market today, Taser has proven to be the leader in that particular category. Much is unknown about psychological effects of Taser shot, but the absence of conclusive medical knowledge doesnt necessarily mean that the device should not be used. Rarely is any biological device is fully understood and tested, and the Taser is no exception. As more information becomes available, law-enforcement agencies and their officers will better understand the consequences of each pull of the trigger.