Safety Facts

Safety in Practice

• Now in use in over 5,000 agencies across the United States and over 50 countries globally
• Achieved over 50,000 successful operational uses
• In excess of 200,000 estimated volunteer exposures worldwide with no ill-effects
• Taser® Technology has never caused a fatality
• Forces worlwide report a greatly reduced level of injury to suspects and officers in thousands of documented incidents
• Reduced incidents involving alternate Use of Force options (and the subsequent related injuries) including firearms, impact munitions, impact weapons, chemical agents, police dogs and unarmed physical tactics.
• In-built secure audit trail ensures safe, controlled use

Medical Research

There is a collection of literature worldwide regarding Taser technology and the possible medical effects. These are referred to by Dr. Bleetman in his report below.

Additionally, several medical evaluations have been undertaken on behalf of Taser International with specific regard to the potential effect of Taser deployment on the heart and on pacemaker units both internal and external. Testing on animals has been carried out under experimental conditions where those animals have been exposed to various drugs which would make them susceptible to arrhythmia. The results clearly showed there was no effect on heart rate and no health endangerment for the animals as a result of exposure to Taser technology.

Medical and Safety Data

Review of medical literature conducted in the UK by Mr. Anthony Bleetman PhD FRCSEd FFAEM DipIMC RCSEd:

Download PDF file (75Kb) - Review of medical literature

Patten Report recommendations 69 and 70 relating to public order equipment. A research programme into alternative policing approaches to the management of conflict:

Download PDF file (716Kb)

The DSAC Sub-committee on the Medical Implications of Less-lethal Weapons (DOMILL) statement on the medical implications of the use of the M26 Advance Taser (July 2004), prepared for the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland:

Download PDF file (158Kb) - DOMILL Statement

The Canadian Police Research Centre Technical Report on the Review of Conducted Energy Devices:

Download PDF file (312Kb) - Canadian Reportt

"TASERs: Saving Lives and Reducing Injuries Compilation"

Download PDF file (Full - 16.5 Mb)

Download PDF file (No Exhibits - 1.6Mb)