Tasers under scrutiny after claims of death and injury

[Cetacea]

Don't taze me, bro.

"...Medical experts say that if a person is hit by a Taser dart near the chest, one result is a dramatic increase in the subject's heartbeat -- from a resting 72 beats a minute to as many as 220 beats a minute for a short period of time. In its court filings, the company says the "peak-loaded" voltage from a Taser at impact ranges up to 40,000 volts but it's a 600-volt average for the duration of the firing.

In an e-mail, a spokesman for Taser said the company would not comment on any ongoing litigation. But in a court filing seeking to dismiss the Butler lawsuit, it said Taser devices "are repeatedly proven safe through testing, in human volunteers, in controlled, medically approved studies." There's no evidence, the company says, that being hit with a Taser causes cardiac arrest in humans.

But the company has significantly changed its recommendations for how Tasers should be used. Officers, it said, should no longer aim for the chest when using the device, instead targeting the arms, legs, buttocks.

Why the change?"

article:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/03/taser.cardiac.arrest/?hpt=C2

[Dappleganger]

1. All I can say is it's about time. nt

[Grand Taurean]

2. I would be pleased to see Tom Smith living under the railroad

tracks in a box. Now that would be justice!

[Cetacea]

3. Tom "They are safe" Smith

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/01/30/tasers-committee.html

[Echo In Light]

4. Oh man...I'd nearly forgotten about the rabid taser defenders/apologists

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUq4_Ewk8N8

Here they come
Here come the bastards
I heard it from a confident -
Who heard it form a confidant
They're definately on their way
There's one with this idea
Something about a hammer head shark
Nosehairs and flatus
Best keep your distance because
Here they come here come the bastards
Bury your head deep in the sand
Anonyminity is a virtue in this day and age
Amazing hand dexterity
Flagrant misuse of security
Better run, run, run, run, run
Run Run Run Run, here they come

[Cetacea]

7. 220 beats a minute...I wonder how many have died afterwards

You can bet that no long term studies have been done to tazser victims. The four hundred that Amnesty claims is probably low.

Thanks for the link!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. On another note, scientists still question the ability of

lightning to do any serious bodily harm.

[BadgerKid]

6. Real life is always just like a controlled study.

:sarcasm:

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

8. I don't have a problem with tasers so long as copstreat them like "less-lethal" weapons

The problem is cops were indoctrinated into thinking they were non-lethal and are all too happy to use them.
The problem is they're not non letahal... they are less lethal. It's a small chance, but they can still kill.

A cop wouldn't shoot someone with a bean bag shotgun round for non signing a ticket, would he?
Well, then a taser is not justified either.
Tasers are useful to bridge the gap between a physical ass-beating (batons, clubs, fists,...) and firing a gun.
And just like beating someone senseless with a baton, a taser can kill too.

[Cetacea]

9. True.

I think it's a given that if you fire at the chest there is a good chance that there is going to be a fatality.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. Doubtful. The chance is still relatively low for fatality.

This is of course assuming a healthy person and responsible voltage delivery. Somthing 1 in 900 die from tasers.
But yeah, if you lay on the trigger and fry up your criminal-critters well done... they could be goners.

Look at the alternative though, I'll take some taser darts over a 9mm on ANY part of my body EVERY time.
This is why I carry a gun instead of a taser.
If have to use a tool to defend myself with, it's going the most effective thing I can use.

[Cetacea]

11. There have not been any long term studies done

At least none that I am aware of. Given that high voltage often permanently results in heart arrhythmias, the number could be higher.

[madokie]

12. They ought to be outlawed

A town close to here has just purchased 4 tazers for their 4 man police force. I suspect I'll be reading about them using them and I won't be going over there just in case

The tazer doesn't bother me its the idiot with it in his hand that does.