A conducted energy weapon (CEW), commonly known as a Taser, is a device designed to temporarily incapacitate a person by delivering a short, high-voltage electrical pulse. The device fires two small, barbed darts connected by thin wires, creating a circuit when the probes embed in the skin or clothing. This current disrupts communication between the brain and the muscles, resulting in Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI). NMI causes involuntary and sustained muscle contraction that overrides voluntary motor control.
The Immediate Physical Experience
The body’s response is immediate, characterized by an acute loss of control the moment the electrical cycle begins. The high-voltage, low-current pulses directly stimulate the motor nerves, forcing muscles to contract completely and involuntarily. This stimulation causes an intense, generalized pain sensation throughout the body, exceeding a typical muscle cramp. Every major muscle group locks up simultaneously.
During the typical five-second cycle, the person is unable to consciously control their limbs, maintain balance, or perform purposeful movements. This results in an immediate collapse to the ground. The electrical energy makes it impossible to resist the effect. Even simple actions, such as pressing a button, are prevented or significantly delayed until the electrical flow ceases.
Potential Acute Injuries and Medical Assessment
Once the electrical discharge stops, the focus shifts to assessing potential injuries, categorized into direct and indirect effects. Direct injuries result from the physical impact of the device, specifically the probes themselves. The small, barbed darts create puncture wounds where they embed, and sometimes superficial burns or redness can occur around the entry points due to the passage of current.
Puncture wounds require careful management, especially if probes have embedded deeply near sensitive areas like the eyes or neck. Probe removal should be handled by trained professionals or medical personnel, as improper extraction can worsen the wound or fail to ensure complete removal of the barbed tip. In rare instances, the intense muscle contraction from NMI can cause musculoskeletal injuries, such as spinal compression fractures.
Secondary injuries result from the sudden, uncontrolled fall that occurs during NMI. Common fall-related trauma includes abrasions, lacerations, fractures, and head injuries. The inability to brace for impact means the head, face, or torso may strike the ground or nearby objects with considerable force. Due to the mechanism of injury, a medical evaluation following any CEW deployment is necessary, even if the person appears to have only minor wounds.
Cardiovascular and respiratory considerations also factor into the medical assessment, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions. The acute stress response and the electrical current itself can cause temporary changes in heart rhythm, including the potential for cardiac arrhythmias, especially if the probes land near the chest. Medical monitoring is advised, as intense muscle activity has been shown to temporarily compromise breathing.
Short-Term Recovery and Residual Effects
Immediately following the electrical discharge, motor control typically returns within about one second. The most common residual physical effect is intense muscle fatigue, cramping, and soreness, similar to what one feels after a strenuous, full-body workout. This generalized muscle ache is a direct consequence of the involuntary contractions caused by NMI.
On a cognitive and psychological level, the event is highly disorienting, and individuals often experience temporary confusion, dizziness, and anxiety. Some report a temporary loss of memory regarding the moments immediately surrounding the deployment.
Most temporary physical effects, such as tingling sensations, weakness in the limbs, and tissue redness at the probe sites, resolve within minutes to hours. If symptoms like severe muscle pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of infection at the puncture wounds persist beyond a day, further medical attention is recommended.