Can a TASER Device Kill?

Very Interesting Article on TASER!

Can a TASER Device Kill?
By Richard Armen



The question on everyone's mind as they consider buying a TASER device for personal protection is whether being shot with a TASER has the potential to kill a target. TASER devices employ an electric pulse, causing involuntary and instantaneous muscle contraction. Though the effects look ugly, in fact they cause few if any long-term health consequences.
TASER devices come in several voltage ratings. Operating on two nine volt batteries, most TASER units range between 65,000 and 500,000 volts. The higher the voltage, the more effective the TASER is at "stunning" or immobilizing an individual. At a higher voltage, some TASERS can immobilize an individual for up to fifteen minutes. Though these devices use a high voltage current, the amperage is low, which enables the device to incapacitate a target without causing permanent damage. Some, however, worry that this strong electrical current could cause permanent damage. Even if the target is a mugger or a burglar breaking in through a window, some worry about the potential for inflicting permanent damage on someone else while trying to protect themselves.
The good news is, TASER devices make effective and extremely safe self defense device. According to TASER International, the maker of these devices, TASER use is non-lethal. In fact, the company has funded numerous research studies to back up this claim. Though there are occasional news stories of a suspect dying after being hit with a TASER device wielded by a police officer, such stories are few and far between. In fact, when one considers the frequency of TASER use, this number is overwhelmingly small.
In fact, TASER devices are often employed as an alternative to lethal force. Particularly when carried by law enforcement officials, this device provides an alternative for pulling a gun on a suspect. They can also be used in situations where lethal force is not warranted.
Over the last decade or so, TASER devices have seen rapidly increasing use. Along with frequent use comes the possibility that some targets have preexisting health conditions which exacerbate the effects of the device. Debate remains regarding whether or not a Taser, alone, can cause death. The majority of research indicates that a simple TASER shot is not enough to cause death in most healthy individuals. Factors such as heart conditions or the use of alcohol or illegal drugs can affect how the TASER device affects the body. Some considerations may include the distance from the subject to the device, as well as the length of time the electrical probes remained in contact with the target's body. The specific location on the body at which the probes made contact has also been shown to affect the strength of the TASER's effect.
According to one report, which examined autopsy reports of individuals who died after being shocked with a TASER device, over fifty percent appeared to have preexisting cardiovascular disease. Eighty percent tested positive for illegal substances - primarily stimulants. Ultimately, the report concluded that the use of the TASER device was considered a potential or contributory cause for 27% of deaths, though preexisting heart conditions or substance use was primarily to blame in most cases. The report notes that these findings are consistent with prior studies. Among reported cases of death related to TASER use, heart conditions, use of amphetamines, alcohol abuse, or the presence of a pacemaker are key factors.
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Richard Armen makes a great point on the TASER devices.