Posts Tagged ‘taser’

Important Differences between Stun Gun and Taser

Although stun guns and Tasers are effective for self-defense, there are several key differences between them that you should know.

You’re better able to protect yourself when you’re comfortable and knowledgeable with the type of self-defense product you’re using. If you are having a hard time choosing between a stun gun and a Taser, here are important things you should know about them.

Rate of Effectiveness
In this aspect, Tasers win hands down over stun guns. Tasers enjoy a 100% effectiveness rate. Even more surprisingly, they actually have better chances of incapacitating your attacker compared to what you’d get when using a 9mm gun and without risking taking anyone’s life.

This self defense product are fairly effective, too, but only on certain types of individuals. If your attacker happens to be high on drugs then he has a temporarily higher immunity rate to the effects of stun guns. Also, there are just a number of individuals who were born less vulnerable to the effects of this tool.

Voltage and Wattage
Stun guns can transmit anywhere between 200,000 to 1,000,000 volts and each blast utilizes 7 to 14 watts. Tasers release 50,000 volts but makes use of up to 18 watts.

At first glance, this product seem to be the better choice but if you want the most effective weapon then you should be aware that greater wattage packs a weightier punch than greater voltage.

Stun guns are designed to send jolts of electricity through nerve endings in your body. Taser does that and more by targeting the muscular skeletal system as well.

Contact
With stun guns, you have to risk getting close to your attacker because they can only work when they’re directly touching the skin of your attacker. With Tasers, however, you could launch a counter attack even at a distance. As long as you’re only fifteen to twenty-one feet away, you should be able to put your attacker out of action with a single blast.

Size
Stun guns are the better choice than Tasers if you want to have the element of surprise in your favor. Although the newer models of Tasers no longer resemble handguns and are more compact, they are still not as easy to conceal as stun guns, which can be as small as three inches in size! Even better, this item also come in a variety of disguises such as mobile phones and other commonly used items.

Price
Finally, for the more budget conscious person, stun guns are affordably priced below $100 while Tasers could cost you a few hundred dollars at the least.

Overall, choosing one or the other is fine as long as you feel safe with using it.

Lancaster police learn a lesson on Tasers

Would be criminals might want to think twice about trying to resist arrest in Lancaster.  Armed with one of the newest law enforcement tool, police are able to subdue suspects with out the use of baton, guns, or the tricky pepper spray.  They now carry a stun gun called the Taser.

As 31 year old Daniel Wood recently found out, however, they don’t always work as advertised when certain guidelines are ignored.  When police interrupted him inhaling an aerosol, Wood made a run for it. After darting though traffic he was caught and as the officers tried to subdue him he began to resist arrest.  That is when another officer Tasered him, causing a small fire to ignite on his chest.  The fire was quickly patted out and the suspect was treated and released.

This unfortunate injury should not have happened.  The Tasers had just recently been issued, meaning all of the officers had just been trained in its use and on the polices regarding appropriate situations for its use.  One of the Lancaster’s polices forbid the use of the Taser when flammable substances, in this case the aerosol, might be involved.  The department has launched an investigation into the matter but it would be a good guess that the Lancaster police have a new found respect for the policies having seen what can happen when they are not followed.

Lancaster police Chief Dave Bailey is still a propionate of the Taser, quick to point out that incidents like this are uncommon.  He also points out that most injuries. Both to police and suspects occur at the time of arrest.  The Taser, when used properly, is a lot safer to the suspect that being subdued by a baton and he would most certainly rather be shot with a Taser, however unpleasant, to being shot with a gun. And for the officers it is even safer than Mace. A strong gust of wind can blow it right back into the officer’s face.

The internal investigation will shed some light on just what happened.  Did the officer just decide to ignore the policy because he did not think it was dangerous to do so, or did he just get caught up in the moment and it slip his mind?  It would be a good guess that other officers have learned from this so it seems unlikely to happen again.

When the smoke has cleared around this incident, however, the public will look back over the track record for the Taser and see that it can be used as a safe and efficient law enforcement tool.

What are Hot Shot Stun Guns: Features and Functions You Need to Know

When your life or property is in danger, most of the time you really have no other recourse than to fight back.  But for many, physical strength can only do so much and go so far, which is why there are numerous options for self-defense weapons.  One of these is the Hot Shot stun gun, a device that’s small enough to fit in a purse or a pocket but offers enough power to help prevent an attack and save your life.

Hot Shot stun gun is a product of Stun Master, a manufacturer specializing in self-defense gadgets that deliver electric shock when triggered or applied.  The Hot Shot is a small device that resembles a PDA, measuring at just 3.5″ x 2.5″ and is only an inch thick.  It’s called a Hot Shot because it provides one of the highest power ratings registered by stun guns at 975,000 volts.  The high output is meant to optimize the stun gun’s use during an emergency situation and more than makes up for its small size.

How the Hot Shot stun gun works
The stun gun is often mistaken for a Taser.  While their basic use is similar (they both deliver an electric shock to the target), they differ in the way they are used and how they function.  A Taser uses a wire and pins to penetrate the target to deliver the electric shock.  The wire through which electricity travels is connected to a triggering device that resembles a gun.

A stun gun, such as the Hot Shot stun gun, delivers a shock upon direct physical contact with the tip of the gun.  This device works well for close contact encounters and can be advantageous when an attacker is at arm’s length.  Unlike the Taser, the Hot Shot stun gun does not require careful aiming since it will deliver a shock regardless of the area that the tip comes in contact with.

Advantages of the Hot Shot stun gun
There are two very important ways that a Hot Shot stun gun can be an advantage during a potentially dangerous situation.  One: it can function as a tool to produce psychological intimidation on a would-be attacker.  The sight of a stun gun is a warning to any attacker that there is a high possibility that he/she can get hurt.  This can discourage them from advancing any further.

Two: in case the person does attack, the Hot Shot stun gun can deliver a high output electric shock at close range, effectively causing involuntary muscular contraction and pain on the target site.  The shock can also lead to temporary loss of muscle control, disorientation and even confusion.  These reactions are enough to incapacitate an attacker for several minutes.  The effects will wear away but by then, you would already have run away or asked for help.

Are These the Funniest Taser Videos? … Not!

If the stills don’t get you, the taglines probably will.  “Guy gets shot by a Taser and falls down… funny video!” or “This guy gets tazed… nearly gets a heart attack!” or “Funny video of drunk guy getting tazed!!!” And then, there was that episode of CNN Headline News where Glenn Beck compares taser videos with potato chips — he just couldn’t “watch just one”.  Should videos showing people getting tazed be categorized as funny or even ‘funniest’?  Think again and you’ll probably say, ‘NOT!’

Understanding what ‘tazing’ does to you
The sight of a man or woman jerking or showing fitful movements may seem funny enough.  After all, these are not considered normal or average human behavior.  People looking like marionettes with strings being pulled recklessly up and down may elicit some guffaws from other people because, come to think of it, it can be funny behavior.

Unfortunately, the reason why these people are behaving as such or even the cause of the jerky movements is no laughing matter.  Think 50,000 volts of electricity and you’ll know that we’re talking serious shock here — probably not enough to kill someone (although there have been reports of lethal consequences), but sufficient to cause pain, discomfort, even loss of balance and coordination.

Of course, it’s easy to point out that the man or woman getting tazed was actually resisting arrest prior to the incident or even showing unruly, uncontrollable behavior and that getting shot with electricity was simply them getting their comeuppance.  Beck even went on to comment that a man getting tasered on campus was actually ‘asking for it’ just by being unruly.

The problem is that by focusing on the funny elements — the grainy image of a man or woman shuddering, shaking and twitching involuntarily and crying out in pain — we may actually miss out on the more salient matters.

Why is this person being shocked?  How extreme or serious is their offense or behavior that a Taser had to be utilized?  Were they real threats to the person using the Taser?  Was there any other option that could or should have been used instead?  Is there reason to believe the act of shocking that person was not abusive?

Don’t Taze me, bro!
Getting hit by a Taser is not funny business.  It is not considered a firearm but it can have some dangerous and even lethal consequences, as we have witnessed from the news.  The funniest taser videos have shown that while we are a society that can laugh at the quirks and perceived craziness of others, we should also be mindful of the fact that having the power of being at the non-firing end of a stun gun puts pressure on us to be more responsible and, should it come down to it, that much more creative in finding solutions.

Hangover Teaches Self-Defense

The 2009 movie The Hangover is a familiar misanthropy of stock characters just like the movies Wedding Crashers, Anchorman and Dodgeball. The funny story all started with four friends: Doug (Justin Bartha), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Phil (Bradley Cooper). The four take a drive to Las Vegas in a red Mercedes Benz to celebrate Doug’s upcoming marriage. The bachelor party goes very, very wrong when Doug suddenly disappears when the three guys wake up in Vegas with the groom missing. They were so drunk the night before that they couldn’t recall a single thing about what happened. The story revolves around how they tried to recall the events of the night before in an attempt to find the groom in time for the wedding.

In the movie, each of the four main characters has their own stories. Phil was a perfect jerk like what Bradley Cooper is known for. Stu was the type of boyfriend who gets beaten up by his girlfriend while Alan was an idiot anyone would love. Doug, on the other hand, was the very responsible, soon-to-be-wed boyfriend.Just like other male-centered movies, Doug is the type that everyone would like to have as a friend. Phil is a school teacher whose regular thing is to steal from his students’ field trip fund. Meanwhile, Stu doesn’t have the guts to stand up to his girlfriend as she beats him up. This led to him being panicky all the time. Alan, is weirdly not allowed within 200 feet of any school.

Overall, the movie is really funny. There are just some scenes that are somewhat unacceptable to some audiences. For one, there is one scene where the main characters are nailed with tasers as some cops and school children just and watch and laugh at them. Even the kids used the cops’ tasers on the three funny heroes. It appeared funny to some but to some, it made them queasy because of the taking in of torture in the taser scene.

You won’t believe how the movie can get the viewer confused. So many crude moments that you can’t forgive yet it also has a lot of softhearted moments that makes your forget the crude moments. The confusion and the speed of events were really hilarious. The only flaw that critics have found is the tasteless taser scene. This has led them to name the movie as the “Self-defense movie of the year.” Tasers are supposed to be a defense of victims against attackers. Using tasers on the characters in the movie wasn’t exactly funny to all viewers.

The manner of how the story was told was one of the movie’s strengths. The watcher is kept in suspense the whole time until it gets to the climax. The cast really rolled comedy-style. The punchlines were gratifying for the male watchers as given by its R rating. The actors played their parts nicely while their interaction with each other showed very well in the movie.

Taser Too Much? The Real Danger of Taser Overuse

A report based on a year-long trial involving Tasers by the Queensland Police released in July 2009 has revealed that while Tasers are quite effective as an option where force is required, it can also increase the risk of users becoming too reliant on the weapon.
Although effective and safe, according to the report, Tasers can also lead to ‘Taser creep’, the kind of risk wherein users develop the tendency to use the weapon even ‘beyond’ its intended use.  According to Bob Atkinson, Police Commissioner, there is concern regarding police officers who tend to rely too much on the Taser instead of using other alternatives that do not require the use of weapons.  Already, the Ethical Standards Command has established a review panel to keep track of Taser use across regions.

However, there are a few criticism regarding this move.  Jim Coburn, a lawyer specializing in criminal defense, has commented that even with more intense monitoring of Taser use, there is still a risk that misuse will continue.

Coburn also said that there is a need to investigate safety risks regarding Taser use.  Without it, according to him, the police will continue to ignore the dangers of the stun gun and the fact that it could maim or even injure people fatally.  This ignorance could even lead to more frequent use of the Taser and continued obliviousness to its effects.

According to the report, law enforcement officers had used weapons equipped with electric shock functions several times on a single person.  Some accounts even reveal that the Taser was used as many as 10 times on an offender.  According to Atkinson, these multiple uses occurred only with people who were uncontrollable, suicidal or even under the influence of drugs.

The need for control and common sense
To anyone who has a basic understanding of self-defense, anything and everything can be a weapon.  Just exactly how much power is there in a Taser?  Advertised figures say a stun gun can carry as much as 50,000 volts.  When used on a person, however, the average shock averages at just 1,500 volts due to factors such as air and the person’s clothing.

Unfortunately, the low figure does not excuse misuse.  Tasers can be powerful weapons of self-defense and law enforcement.  What’s really needed is proper training, a focus on better procedures for the apprehension and arrest of suspects and the use of more control and common sense.

Self-Defense Weapons for Elderlies

Most criminals like to target elderlies because they are viewed as weaker and more vulnerable. Well, it’s probably time to break the stereotype. Most seniors are taking charge, no longer content on relying on external help to offer protection. Learn some of the most commonly used self-defense weapons for elderlies:

Cane
Elderlies who use canes don’t realize that they have a very effective self-defense weapon right in the palm of their hand. A cane, usually made with wood or some other lightweight material, can be used to parry an attack or to go on the offensive.

Although a cane can be used to make multiple blows or thrusts, certain situations may allow a person only one strike. When using a cane, it’s important to hit your attacker where it will hurt them most. Hitting someone and failing to overcome them will only anger them and expose you to more danger.

Pepper spray
A can of pepper spray can be a convenient self-defense weapon for elderlies. It’s lightweight, easy to carry and use and can be very effective. It only works within a short range, however, so it’s important to aim well.

When using pepper spray, it pays to be well acquainted with this weapon. If you aren’t careful, pepper sprays can sting not just your attacker but you as well. Spray in the direction of the wind or if that’s not possible, directly in the eyes or mouth of your attacker.

Taser
A taser can be a very powerful self-defense weapon for seniors. It’s a handheld device, quite lightweight and is battery-operated. Most units are rechargeable so they are more efficient and trustworthy. What they do is emit short bursts of electricity to shock and disable an attacker.

Like the pepper spray, the taser will also work well if you know how to use it. Try to practice aiming with it. If you don’t hit your attacker, the taser won’t work.

A taser is also known as a stun gun.

Kubotan or yawara-bo
This self-defense weapon is very useful for elderlies. It’s small, lightweight and easy to conceal and carry. It’s usually made of wood, metal, PVC or some other strong material. It is about 5 to 5 ½ inches long, fits in the hand and is shaped like a pen. It may be used to hit an attacker in certain pressure points where he is vulnerable.

The kubotan is often best when wielded using certain martial arts techniques. Try to familiarize yourself with the body’s pressure points so you’ll know where.

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6 Safe Ways to Use a Taser

A taser or stun gun can be a very powerful and effective self-defense weapon if used properly. It can temporarily disable an attacker and prevent bodily harm on the user. Unlike its predecessor, the pepper spray, the taser doesn’t contaminate the air and if used properly, doesn’t produce any discomfort on the user. Here are safe ways to use a taser in case of an emergency:

Learn how to wield the weapon.
It might look like some prop used in a Star Trek movie set but the taser is a real weapon. In fact, it is used by many law enforcers to control and prevent unruly criminals.

If you want to use the taser safely, know what it is and how it works. Find out what its stopping power is and any safety features. It comes with a user’s manual so use that as a reference.

Practice using it but avoid aiming at other people or animals. Use a stuffed pillow or anything that won’t be physically harmed during your rehearsal. The key here is to become familiar with your weapon. If you aren’t used to wielding it, you will be too nervous to use it properly when the need arises.

Know the maximum shooting distance.
A taser will only work if the needles or prongs come in contact with the attacker. Most tasers can work for up to 12 or 15 feet. However, safety experts say that the user should fire at an ideal distance of at least 5 feet – 7 feet max. The farther away the target is, the more difficult it will be for the user to hit the it.

Make a spark test.
Prior to carrying your taser, conduct a simple spark test. This will determine whether the gun is in working condition or not.

Know where to aim.
The best part of the body to aim at is the torso or any area from the hips to the lower part of the neck. This is where the effect of the taser will be experienced in full.

If all else fails.
Don’t always rely on the taser to get you out of a dangerous situation. Have a good plan B to protect yourself. The taser is a device that might malfunction so you need to have another way to escape or prevent any physical injury to yourself.

Make sure it’s legal.
As a final tip to use a taser safely, make sure that it’s legal to carry and use in the state or city where you are. Many unfortunate incidents have already occurred in the past regarding the taser, some of which involved the more experienced law enforcement. Remember that in the wrong hands, the taser can be a deadly weapon. Know how to use it properly and responsibly.

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How a Taser Gun Works

A taser gun can be a valuable weapon for police officers who wish to catch their victims without having to engage in a chase. The gun itself is a frightening weapon: discharging around 50,000 volts of electricity, it has the capability to stun a would-be criminal and disable the person for about five seconds. According to the account of one police officer, that five seconds consists of feeling as though you are in a black tunnel, with a current coursing through your body that disables any movement and prevents you from fighting an officer or resisting arrest.

The pain, the officer says, comes from arching the back and tensing it while under the effects of the taser gun; the taser gun itself leaves bee-sting like marks and may often result in wound bleeding due to the probes that fly out of the taser gun and onto the back of the would-be criminal. Police officers often volunteer to have the taser gun used on them because they want to know the effects of it when they themselves have to use the guns on their subjects. Although the gun is reportedly safe, there have been deaths due to taser gun use.

How does the taser work? The 50,000 volts of electricity take on the central nervous system by overriding its control of the body. That is, the electricity prevents the brain from controlling the body: the taser imitates electronic pulses that match those used by the nerves; the nerves in question are those that transmit orders from the brain and to surrounding muscles. Electronic pulses are what cause muscles to contract. However, when the nerves that surround and transmit orders to muscles are flooded by electronic pulses that resemble their own, the normal signals that usually travel from the nerves to the muscles are drowned out. In effect, the muscles will start to contract uncontrollably.

The body, under the taser, is thus a bundle of muscles that cannot be moved voluntarily. Once subject to a taser, a person can collapse and will be disabled for a few minutes. Although recovery is fast, the collapse can provide a police officer with enough time to shackle the subject and keep him or her from running farther or attacking the officer.

How safe are taser guns? Although there have been deaths, taser manufacturers and police officers alike attest to the guns’ safety. If you are concerned about taser guns, you may want to talk to your police officer and ask about the tests that have been done with such guns. There is also literature on the subject available in popular science websites that you can browse and read on.

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