TASER is safe for pacemakers
According to a new US study published this month, the shock delivered by a typical TASER gun does not adversely affect heart implants. Fears that the TASER shock would act in the same way as a shock from a defibrillator have been found to be groundless.
According to a new US study published this month, the shock delivered by a typical TASER gun does not adversely affect heart implants. Fears that the TASER shock would act in the same way as a shock from a defibrillator have been found to be groundless.
The study looked closely at the effect that the TASER X26 has when it is discharged in proximity to various pacemakers from three major manufacturers. An anesthetised pig served as the test subject. It concluded that the TASER X26 discharges do not affect the short-term functional integrity of implantable pacemakers and defibrillators even when the darts are placed in a manner to surround the implanted device. Also, the standard ECD (Electonic Control Device) application duration of five seconds should not trigger an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) shock in devices programmed to the standard non-committed shock delivery mode.
The report can be downloaded from: http://tinyurl.com/2fjfgv.
