Page 96 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Winter 2015

Figure 1 The Taser Figure 2 Drive stun marks, day 1.

Image used with permission from Taser International Figure 3 Drive stun mark, day 6.

In probe mode, two small, aluminum cylinders affixed
with barbs (actually, straightened #8 fishhooks custom-
manufactured for Taser International) are housed in a re-
placeable cartridge and propelled by compressed nitrogen
at 160 ft/s. Each probe remains tethered to the cartridge
by a fine, insulated wire. These probes penetrate the soft Penetration Injuries
tissue or clothing of a subject and discharge what me- Probe removal is usually quite simple (Table 1). Rarely
dia sources often prominently report as “50,000 Volts!” does entry cause much more than a small superficial in-
While correct, Taser’s latest “smart” systems (X26P and jury, and this can be treated with simple cleaning and
X3) deliver an average charge of only 63 microcoulombs appropriate dressings. The resultant injury is generally
or 3.15J (recall, joules = volts × coulombs [J = V × C]), uncomplicated, unless embedded above the clavicles, in
pulsed at 19 times per second. Each trigger press results female breasts, or in the genitalia. 5,6
2,3
in a 5-second cycle. This charge overwhelms a subject’s
central nervous system by causing strong, involuntary Table 1 Steps to Remove Embedded CEW Probes
muscle contractions, using a proprietary technology re- 1. Ensure wires from probe to cartridge are cut or cartridge
ferred to as neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). It has is removed from the CEW.
the potential for both direct and indirect injuries.
2. Use gloves and other personal protective equipment, as
appropriate.
CEW Injuries 3. Place thumb and forefinger of the nondominant hand on
either side of probe and spread them to tightly tension
Despite the small dimensions and modest velocity of the skin surrounding the probe.
Taser probes, any device that projects objects under dy-
namic conditions has potential for physical harm. Ca- 4. Grasp probe firmly with dominant hand and quickly
nadian physician and researcher Christine Hall perhaps pull (pluck) straight out.
asserted it best in a 2009 editorial when she stated, “Tas- 5. Inspect probe to ensure it is intact and no fragment has
ers, like nuclear weapons, haloperidol, fireworks, and been left in the wound.
even scissors, can be dangerous in untrained hands.” 4 6. Wipe wound with antiseptic or alcohol pad and apply
adhesive dressing.
Burn Injuries 7. Treat probe as a biohazard and contaminated sharp, and
dispose of appropriately.
The electrical energy of a Taser used in drive stun mode
usually results in superficial burns several millimeters in The literature does contain cases of more severe in-
diameter (Figures 2 and 3). It should also be noted that jury, including direct penetrating trauma to the eye and
drive stun “signature marks” from actual deployment chest. Ng and Chehade describe a 50-year-old man who
are often multiple and accompanied by minor abra- sustained a wound 1.5cm below the right lower eyelid
sions, reflecting their application against a struggling margin that caused a full-thickness defect. Vitreous was
subject. These burns require no special treatment aside seen to leak when the probe was removed. The scleral
7
2
from basic care and hygiene. They should be observed wound was repaired and cryopexy performed with a
for the development of any superficial infection. satisfactory recovery and visual acuity of 6/9 at 1 week

84 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 15, Edition 4/Winter 2015