Taser M26 - Manual (Page 14)

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ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
POTENTIAL CAUSES OF REDUCED OR NO EFFECTIVENESS
Loose or Thick Clothing. The current from the ADVANCED TASER M26 is capable of
penetrating approximately 2 cumulative inches of clothing, or one inch per probe.
Miss or Single Dart Hit. The current must pass between the probes. If one probe
misses, a second cartridge should be deployed if practical. Also, using the M26 in
the drive-stun mode as described below will also complete the circuit between the
single probe and the device electrode.
Low Nerve or Muscle Mass. If the probes impact in an area where there is very little
muscle mass (e.g., the side of the rib cage), the effectiveness can be significantly
diminished.
Limited Probe Spread. Probe spreads of less than 4 inches (including drive-stun) result
in little or no effect from NMI and become primarily a pain compliance option.
Wires Break. If a wire breaks (e.g., during a struggle), the current will not flow to the
probes. Drive-stun is still available.
Do not become dependent on the TASER device. No device is 100% effective in every
situation. Do not deploy the TASER device without following department SOP for
proper backup.
DRIVE-STUN BACKUP
Drive-stun capability is available with or without a TASER Cartridge installed. The drive-
stun mode will not cause NMI and generally becomes primarily a pain compliance option.
Probe deployment is usually considered more desirable, even at close range. Some of the
advantages include:
Drive-stun is only effective while the device is in contact with the subject or the
subject’s clothing. As soon as the device is moved away, the energy stops. Deploying
the probes allows the officer to separate from the subject while maintaining control.
Due to automatic reflex actions, most subjects will struggle to separate from the TASER
device. Each time the device comes back in contact with the individual, another set
of burn marks may be visible. Using the probes allows for one point of discharge.
If the probes are deployed, even at very close range, the officer may be able to use
drive-stun to another portion of the body that is farther away from the probes,
thereby resulting in the complete NMI effect.
If the drive-stun is not effective, evaluate the location of the drive-stun, consider an
additional cycle to a different pressure point, or consider alternative force options. When
using the drive-stun, drive the front of the ADVANCED TASER M26 firmly against the body
of the subject. Simply “touching” the M26 against the subject is not sufficient. The subject
is likely to recoil and try to get away from the stun electrodes. It is necessary to aggressively
drive the front of the M26 into the subject for maximum effect.
The drive-stun works more effectively when aggressively applied to pressure points on nerve
bundles. This includes the brachial area, common peronial, mastoid, and pelvic triangle. The
ADVANCED TASER M26 must be actively depressed or aggressively driven into the nerve
bundles in a “drive-stun” manner to be effective in the drive-stun mode.
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