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A Tour of Taser HQ
Soychemist writes "Walk into the Taser headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona and it may seem like you are on an episode of Get Smart. The foyer is like a fortress, with giant steel doors and biometric identification systems. Inside, factory workers meticulously assemble the less-lethal weapons by hand and then put them through a battery of safety tests. In addition to making pistol-shaped devices, the company also produces the electronic equivalent of a claymore mine, which hurls dozens of electrified needles at the push of a button and electronic shotgun cartridges that deliver a powerful jolt."
Based on the following excerpt, from page 19 of the X26C operator's manual, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that "more humanitarian" would be seen as a defect. The last three lines are particularly... Suggestive.
"Page 19
TASER® X26C Operating Manual
DRIVE-STUN BACKUP
Drive-stun capability is available with or without a TASER Cartridge installed. The drive-
stun mode will not cause NMI and generally becomes primarily a pain compliance option.
Probe deployment is usually considered more desirable, even at close range. Some of the
advantages include:
Drive-stun is only effective while the device is in contact with the subject or the
subject's clothing. As soon as the device is moved away, the energy efiect stops.
Deploying the probes allows the user to create distance between the user and the
subject while maintaining control.
Due to automatic reflex actions, most subjects will struggle to separate from the
TASER device. When the TASER device is used in the drive-stun mode and the subject
struggles to get away it may be difficult to maintain contact between the device and
the subject.
If the probes are deployed, even at very close range, the user may be able to use
drive-stun to another portion of the body that is farther away from the probes,
thereby resulting in enhanced NMI effect.
If the drive-stun is not effective, evaluate the location of the drive-stun and consider an
additional cycle to a different pressure point.
When using the drive-stun, push (drive) the front of the TASER X26C firmly against the body
of the subject. Simply "touching" the X26C against the subject is not sufficient. The subject
is likely to recoil and try to get away from the stun electrodes. It is necessary to aggressively
drive the front of the X26C into the subject for maximum efiect.
The drive-stun works more effectively when aggressively applied to pressure points on nerve
bundles. This includes the brachial area, common peronial, mastoid, and pelvic triangle. The
TASER X26C must be actively depressed or aggressively driven into the nerve bundles in a
"drive-stun" manner to be effective in the drive-stun mode.
RECOMMENDED DRIVE-STUN AREAS FOR MAXIMUM EFFECT
Drive the X26C into the following areas for maximum effectiveness.
Carotid (sides of neck) (see warning below).
Brachial plexus tie-in (upper chest).
Radial (forearm).
Pelvic triangle (see warning below).
Common peronial (Outside of thigh).
Tibial (calf muscle).
WARNING: Use care when applying a drive-stun to the neck or pelvic triangle. These areas
are sensitive to mechanical injury (such as crushing to the trachea or testicles if applied
forcefully). However, these areas have proven highly effective targets."
You don't want to rely on pain for compliance. It just doesn't work on all people. The electric shock of a taser screws with the target's muscles, it's not just pain.
Grab on to a non-pulse electric fence sometime near the fencing unit. Try to let go.