Many people are curious to know what it feels like to be tasered. In this article, we will tell what happens during exposure to a stungun, what physiological reactions it causes in the body and what should be considered when using this type of non-lethal weapon.

How does getting tasered feel?

Electroshock devices are non–lethal weapons that are used by police officers to temporarily incapacitate an offender and detain him. Civilian stungun models are effective in self-defense against aggressive people and wild animals. Electroshock devices can be used contact-wise or remotely, depending on the device model. Usually the police use shooting stun guns. To remotely affect a target at a distance of up to 10 meters (depending on the device model), stun guns use cartridges that shoot off probes. High-voltage discharges are transmitted to the probes via wires.

Probes of the remote cartridge are attached to clothing or hit the body and transmit a high-voltage electrical discharge. An electric shock overloads a person's nervous system, causing muscle contractions and disrupting motor skills.

Initial shock

Most people who are exposed to electroshock influence are caught off guard, even if they know that a taser is going to be used against them. The intensity of pain and involuntary muscle contractions are incomparable with the pain sensations familiar to most people.

Many describe the initial sensations as receiving a punch at the spot where the probes hit. This is accompanied by a burning sensation and a cramping pain, as an electric discharge immediately passes through the electrodes of the probes. The intensity of pain from exposure depends on which part of the body they hit - the impact on areas with a large number of muscles is the most painful.

In addition to acute pain, electric current causes the muscles of the body to contract instantly. Pain and loss of coordination can cause the target to lose balance and fall. Discharges of high-voltage current also make it difficult to control the legs and arms muscles and make it impossible to continue attacking, trying to escape or pull harpoons out of the body or clothing. Electric current suppresses the central nervous system, preventing it from regulating muscle movement.

Burning pain and loss of muscle control combined make a person unable to perform conscious actions in the first seconds and minutes after exposure. People against whom a taser was used describe it as one of the most painful sensations they have ever felt.

Loss of body control combined with severe pain causes shock and disorientation. At the same time, non-lethal electroshock weapons are designed to incapacitate an opponent without causing permanent damage to him or causing serious health consequences. As soon as the owner of the stungun stops pressing the electroshock discharge button, the muscle contraction stops.

Effect after exposure

After the effects of the stungun have ended, the person feels disoriented. Tremors, twitching, and pain often occur when muscles contract involuntarily. It takes a few minutes for the body to regain neurological control.

The probes that enter the body can leave bruises and small wounds, depending on the area of impact. Many who have been tasered report experiencing residual fear and anxiety afterwards.

In most cases, the effects of using a stungun disappear after about 5-10 minutes. However, some physical and mental effects may persist for several hours or longer after the incident. If any symptoms persist for a long time, it is recommended to undergo a proper medical examination.

Factors influencing the stungun efficiency

Several factors affect the intensity and duration of the effect from using a stungun. They include:

• Voltage. Higher voltage leads to an increased effect of neuromuscular blockade.
• The impact area of the probes. Hitting large muscle groups, such as the back and hips, causes more severe muscle spasms.
• Clothing – thick, loose, or dense clothing can deflect harpoons from the body and reduce the effectiveness of the stungun.
• Physiology – factors such as weight, muscle mass, and pain tolerance affect the individual response of the target.
• Mental state – if a person knows about the upcoming use of the taser and is ready for it, the effect of surprise can be reduced.