New respect for taser

[denster]

The Sheriff's Office I retired from and am currently an auxilliary with just went with the X26 Taser so I had to take the training night before last. I was not particularly interested as when I was full time we had carried the X50 stun guns for a few years and my experience was that they worked about 50% of the time but you had to grapple with the subject and keep him plugged in for 5 to 10 seconds to get the desired effect.
The instructor asked for a volunteer to "ride the lightning" so I and one other Deputy said we would. I was to be shot with the Taser while the other Deputy was to have the wires hooked to him with clips to his clothing.
Let me tell you that was an experience. I heard the pop and felt the impact and the effect was instantaneous, every muscle in my body went rigid and if it hadn't been for the two guys holding me up I would have gone flat on my face. That five seconds felt like five minutes. After it stopped it was only a few seconds and I was back to normal. The Deputy who had the wires clipped to him had the same reaction and effect.
These things really work. After I got home I went on line and ordered a C2 Taser. I'm still going to carry a gun but I like options and this is one I can believe in.

 

[JShirley]

Always good to have more tools in the toolbox, but yeah, I'm a believer.

 

[Vonderek]

How do guys like Rodney King not react the same way as you and the majority of other people? Does it have something to do with body mass? Do drugs numb the body to the effects of the taser? It seems that electrical impulses should affect a person's body regardless but since I have absolutely no knowledge on this subject I am seriously asking.

 

[lashylash]

That was definitely the longest 5 seconds of my life when I "rode the bull" for training. I wanted to scream like crazy but I had just exhaled and only let out a little puff of air. After it was over I felt great; like I had just received a full body massage. A few hours later my entire body started to get stiff. The next two days it seemed like I had gone overboard on working out. Still I would rather get tazed then pepper sprayed again (Saber Red is hot stuff and your eyes just aren't supposed to hurt like that).

As far as it not working on people... I've heard that being hyped up on different drugs will allow more movement. But on a normal person, even drunk as a skunk, if you get a good connection, it will work. It has definitely worked on the clients I've used it on. Though in most cases they want to try for a second ride for some reason.

 

[denster]

Rodney King was tased with an very early version of the taser that worked reasonably well on most people. There have been a lot of advances since then. The current technoledgyactually uses less power but the waveform of the pulses is identical to the waveform your brain sends to your skeletal muscles only thousands of times more powerful. All of your skeletal muscles contract rigid and you just can't move. The taser has moved from basically a pain compliance with some muscular interuption to total muscular interuption.
Guys I've talked to that have taken a hit with the older M26 that had more power say it hurts worse but they could still move a little. The x26 and the C2 which has the same waveform and power totaly overwhelm the brains signals to the skeletal muscles. It does hurt though though I agree it hurts less than pepper spray.

 

[JShirley]

I'd just about rather get shot than pepper sprayed. Last time was horrible. First time- after about 45 minutes, only lingering effects were skin irritation. Last time- light sensitive for almost 48 hours, could barely function for first 24.

 

[45Fan]

I would think a taser would be a more dependable solution, with the right amount of determination, a person can build a tolerance to being sprayed, but I doubt the same can be said of being tased

 

[denster]

I've had incidents where pepper spray wasn't effective. Usually the person was high on meth or other drugs. The PD here has used the taser for a couple of years now and the only failures they have had were when both probes didn't connect and during the winter when some of the bangers wear these thick coats about four sizes too large. The taser will only work through 2 inches of clothes. Their solution on one probe contact is to move in and apply the taser as a stun gun away from the connected probe. That gives them the two point contact and the guy goes down.
All in all they have found it an effective tool but like any other you need to know how it works and it's limitations. Always have a plan B is always in effect.
The PD and S.O. use of force continum goes verbal commands, taser, hands on, impact weapons.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Our local SO deputies carry those. Everyone who is to carry one has to take a training class, which requires everyone to take a hit. Even the biggest and baddest cringe when you mention that little x26. I've never been hit with one, but I have been pepper sprayed. That was horrible. It was horrible enough that I would prefer to never have that happen again.

There was a local incident that made headlines. The guy was running from the police with a 5 gallon gas container open in the passenger seat. Once he wrecked, he stepped out, got tased and burst into flames. While just now trying to google the incident and post a link...I see that it is a fairly common incident!

 

[postalnut25]

So I've taken the ride on an X26 once, and been sprayed twice. Hated them both. The helpers on the side couldn't get me on the ground fast enough. I swear you could feel each and every one of the 19 pulses per second that thing put through the body. Tried to scream, but just couldn't.

That being said, if I'm ever given the choice between being sprayed or tazed, TAZE ME BRO. Nothing is as bad as the pepper spray.

 

[denster]

Taser= 5seconds of ow that is awesome.

Pepper Spray= 15min total misery, 2 hours miserable, 4-6 hours irritable.

Yep Taze me too bro.

 

[zignal_zero]

Does it have something to do with body mass?

the way it was explained to us, in training, was - it effects muscles. so, the more muscular you are, the worse it's effects. if someone is huge but really flabby it'll have less effect than on some buffed out dude.

i should make a shirt - "i'm not fat, i'm taser resistant"

i think tasers are a great tool, but that's all they are. they are not the be all end all of less lethal. i've seen 'em work great, i've seen 'em fail. i think they're great, but also think there's something to be said for a good ol fashioned baton

 

[denster]

I'd have to agree with signal zero. The taser is a great tool but there can be problems like the aforemenioned missed probe or the heavy loose coats.
Always have a plan B and a baton makes an excellent plan B.

 

[BruiseLee]

Denster, thanks for posting. I invested in a C2, haven't had to use it yet. Glad to hear it worked for/on you!