A conducted electrical weapon (TASER) fires two barbed probes that deliver brief electrical pulses and lock up the muscles. The shock itself rarely causes serious harm, so the main dangers come from falls, the agitation or drug use behind the event, and probes in sensitive areas.
Key symptoms
- Small puncture wounds where the probes hit
- Muscle pain and soreness
- Injuries from the fall
- Agitation, confusion or signs of drug use
- Chest pain or palpitations in rare cases
What you find on exam
- Scene safety and police custody status
- Full vital signs, including temperature
- Probe locations: eyes, face, neck, groin, hands
- Injuries from the fall, especially to the head
- Signs of hyperactive delirium: hot skin, extreme agitation
Tests
- Blood glucose
- 12-lead ECG if chest pain, palpitations or heart disease
- Hospital: creatine kinase and electrolytes in agitated patients
- Imaging for fall injuries
Treatment basics
- Remove probes per protocol, holding the skin taut and pulling straight out
- Do not remove probes from the eyes, face, neck, genitals or breasts; transport instead
- Clean the wounds, cover them and check tetanus status
- Treat agitation and high temperature; avoid prone restraint
- Transport for abnormal vital signs, chest pain, pregnancy or injuries
Red flags
- High temperature with severe agitation
- Probe in the eye or another sensitive area
- Chest pain, fainting or pregnancy
Practice it in Making Synapses
Making Synapses cases
Related guides
Sources: NASEMSO National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines; NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic); National EMS Education Standards (2021). Written by Making Synapses. Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations.