Tasers and Pacemakers: What You Need to Know

The interaction between tasers and pacemakers has been a topic of concern for those involved in law enforcement, medical professionals, and the general public. This article aims to clarify the risks and understandings surrounding the use of tasers on individuals with pacemakers, based on current research and professional guidelines.

Myth or Reality: Tasers and Pacemakers

A common misconception exists about whether a taser can cause harm to a person with a pacemaker. Studies have shown that tasers do not interrupt a person's heartbeat or damage pacemakers. The electrical output of a taser is significantly lower than the levels required to cause a cardiac arrest or injury to an implantable heart device.

Modern Pacemakers: Contemporary pacemakers are designed to withstand the powerful electrical outputs of defibrillators, which can produce approximately 300 joules of energy. In contrast, a taser produces far less, typically less than one joule of energy. Therefore, a person with a pacemaker can survive even after being shot with a taser.

Impact on Pacemaker Functionality

Although tasers do not typically affect the functionality of pacemakers, there are specific circumstances where concerns arise:

Do electrical stun guns like the TASER-X26 affect the functional integrity of implantable pacemakers and defibrillators? Research shows that they do not. However, the electrical fields generated by tasers can sometimes interfere with pacemaker function, especially during close contact or prolonged exposure. This interference can lead to oversensing, where the pacemaker misinterprets the taser's electrical pulses as a heartbeat, causing a pause in normal heart rhythm. This pause could potentially lead to serious injury or even death.

Risks and Complications

While tasers are generally considered safe for use on individuals with pacemakers, there are increased risks when used on such individuals. These risks depend on several factors, including the type of pacemaker, the subject's age and health, the placement of the taser electrodes, and the specifics of the encounter.

Tasers are less likely to cause serious injury than a bullet but can still induce arrhythmias and even respiratory arrest. It is crucial to avoid using tasers on individuals with pacemakers to minimize the risk of serious complications. However, in situations where tasers are the only option, it is essential to use the correct distance and technique to avoid direct contact with the pacemaker.

Pacemaker Dependency and Safety

Not all individuals with pacemakers are "dependent" on them for every heartbeat. Approximately 20% of pacemaker users are considered clinically dependent, meaning that their pacemakers are crucial for their survival. For the remaining 80%, the pacemakers provide supplemental support during abnormal heart rhythms.

It is important to understand that pacemakers have built-in safeguards such as zener diodes to protect against electrical damage. Nevertheless, the electrical fields generated by tasers can potentially trigger misfirings in the pacemaker, leading to serious events like falls or arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening.

Statistical Analysis and Real-World Implications

While tasers are unlikely to damage pacemakers, a study suggests that individuals without pacemakers might experience more fatalities due to tasering. This is not because tasers are inherently more dangerous but because the pacemaker user group tends to be older and more prone to comorbidities. Few pacemakers would be damaged as a result.

Given these data, the recommendation is clear: whenever possible, non-lethal options like verbal de-escalation and the use of police dogs should be employed. Only in situations where a taser is the safest and most effective choice should it be deployed.

In conclusion, while there is a risk associated with using tasers on individuals with pacemakers, the risk is generally manageable when proper precautions are taken. Continuous research and training are essential to ensure that law enforcement and medical professionals can handle such situations safely and effectively.