Taser & Heart Pacemakers

[Don]

Reply from St Jude Medical, manufacturer of medical devices:

" Anytime an electrical current is applied to the body, there is a potential for it to have a temporary effect on the pacemaker. Cardiac pacemakers are electronic devices with sensing circuits designed to detect small electrical signals from inside of the heart. Pacemakers have the potential to detect extraneous electrical signals from sources other than the heart and can incorrectly interpret these signals as intrinsic activity of the heart. The effect could be inhibition of the pacemaker, resulting in no output to the patient’s heart, or reversion to asynchronous pacing. This should be a transient effect when the taser is actively shocking. When the shock ends the pacemaker should return to normal function.

Of more concern, however, is the potential for the 3/8” needlepoint of the air taser could potentially make contact with the pulse generator case or the leads upon penetration of the patient’s body. If this occurs, the electrical current could then be transmitted directly from the probes to the pulse generator or leads. We have not evaluated the air taser to see if pacer reprogramming or damage would result. However, we cannot rule out that possibility.

If you need additional information or would like to discuss this subject further, please call Technical Services at 1-800-722-3774. "

[AMF]

Nm...............

[trularin]

So, if we are going to use a tazer, make sure the person does not haver a pacemaker.

"Halt!"

The suspect stops ( yeah right ).

"Before I taze you, do you have a pacemaker installed?"

[392cobra]

Kind of a off the wall idea BUT...

If you're life depends on electronics implanted in/on your body working properly,maybe,just maybe you should stay away..far away... from activities that would cause the police to jump on your a$$ & tase you.

DUH !!!

[Ron61]

Fred,

That makes to much sense. I think I have read where a few career criminals have had pace makers implanted. Do you expect them to give up their means of living just because they may get tazed?

Ron

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Fred,

That makes to much sense. I think I have read where a few career criminals have had pace makers implanted. Do you expect them to give up their means of living just because they may get tazed?

Ron

HECK NO !

It could save the taxpayers a bundle on trials and prison costs.Police see them messin' up...zap 'em.
I think all repeat offenders should have one installed.

[Ron61]

Fred,

Did you read that post some time back about the guy that bought one for his wife and decided to test it on himself? After all, what can two little AAA batteries do. If you missed it I think I have it saved to my 2nd hard drive and it is really funny.

Ron

[392cobra]

I remember that.

About 2 weeks ago they showed some teenager playing with a shock collar for dogs on America's Funniest Videos.

He shocked himself,activated by barking or in his case speaking.

Pretty funny.

When it finally got up to the level it was knocking the cr@p out of him,his yelling would keep setting it off !

[Joe Wicked]

I would love to see that video.

[Ron61]

So would I. How about posting the link. Man, it is amazing at what some people will do to try and get into the Darwin Awards list. Unfortunately they don't have one for just stupidity.

Ron

[392cobra]

I don't know about any link to it,I saw it on TV.

But just to help y'all out on this I came up with an idea.

I asked my Son if he would like to be in a video for The Cobra Guys.

Told him I had an idea that might be fun () to do.All he needed to do was wear a dog collar and say "Hi guys".

Well,it turns out he had seen the AFV tape.
His response was not what you would call positive in any sense.

I think he has been watching too much TV.

[Ron61]

Then how about asking him if he wants to try out the stun gun. After all it is just two little AAA batteries. But I doubt if he is that dumb.

Ron

[Don]

I thought the explanation would meet with some interest, and it did, smile. I guess St Jude had to include the information for legal liability reasons.

There was a recent incident in CT with a school systems zero tolerance policy. A grade school student removed the cover from a one time use camera and by touching two of the terminals, a slight tingling sensation. The student was arrested , charged with a felony and suspended. The student was in the hall ways and had mentioned to his friends if they wanted to try, no aggressive motions or threats.

The defense attorney in a radio interview had a few choice words for the school system etc., A Federal hearing is being held next week in an attempt to dismiss the charges and clear the student's record.