Taser X3 - Manual (Page 7)

7
Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI)
The human nervous system communicates with simple electrical impulses. The command center (brain and
spinal cord) processes information and makes decisions. The peripheral nervous system includes the sensory
and motor nerves. The sensory nerves carry information from the body to the brain (temperature, touch, etc.).
The motor nerves carry commands from the brain to the muscles to control movement and can be involuntary
in response to the sensory information. An example would be the involuntary muscle reaction to pull a hand
away from a hot object.
TASER technology uses similar electrical impulses to cause stimulation of the sensory and motor nerves. Neuro
Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) occurs when an ECD is able to cause involuntary stimulation of both the sensory
nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects with a high level of pain
tolerance.
Previous generations of stun guns primarily affected the sensory nerves only, resulting in pain compliance. A
subject with a very high tolerance to pain (e.g., a drug abuser or a trained, focused fighter) might be able to
fight through the pain of a traditional stun gun.
Common Effects of NMI
WARNING
The use of TASER technology causes incapacitation and strong muscle contractions making secondary injuries
a possibility. These potential injuries include but are not limited to: cuts, bruises, impact injuries, and abrasions
caused by falling, and strain-related injuries from strong muscle contractions such as muscle or tendon tears,
or stress fractures. These injuries are secondary in nature and not directly attributable to the electric output
of the ECD, but are possible consequences of the strong muscle contractions the ECD induces to produce
incapacitation. Some of the effects may include:
• Falls immediately to the ground and inability to catch oneself;
• Risk of drowning if ability to move in water or wet environments is restricted;
Chapter 2 General Information