Many people are interested in knowing what it feels like to be tased or hit with a taser gun. As a non-lethal weapon, tasers are used by police officers to disable individuals temporarily. When they fire, they discharge two small dart-like electrodes connected to the primary device by conductive wires.
The electrodes attach themselves to the target’s clothing or body and deliver a high-voltage but low-amperage electric charge. This electrical shock overloads the person’s nervous system, causing muscle contractions and impairing motor skills. In this article, we will learn what getting tased feels like.
The Initial Shock
The moment the taser darts hit and the electrical current begins flowing through your body is described as extremely painful and shocking (no pun intended). Most people are caught entirely off guard despite knowing they are about to be tased. The intensity of the pain and involuntary muscle contractions is unlike anything else. It instantly overwhelms the senses.
Many describe the initial shock as a loud snap or pop at the point where the darts hit the body. This is accompanied by a burning, stinging sensation as the electricity continues. The intensity of the pain from the darts depends on where on the body they land. Areas with many muscles, like the chest, legs, and other main muscle group areas.
In addition to the darting pain, the electrical current causes all the muscles in your body to contract instantly. This muscle tension is often powerful enough to cause you to fall. It also makes it difficult to control the muscles of your legs and arms. The current overwhelms the central nervous system, making it unable to regulate muscle movement.
The noise, burning pain, and loss of muscle control combine to make the first second or two of being tased completely incapacitating both physically and mentally. Those who have experienced it describe it as one of the most intense pains they’ve ever felt.
Full Body Muscle Spasms
After the initial shock, the taser sends electrical pulses through your body, causing prolonged muscular contractions. This induces powerful spasms that radiate through your muscles from head to toe.
The involuntary muscle contractions are rapid and forceful. Your back arches, arms twist, and legs kick out without control. These convulsions and spastic movements are very taxing on the body physically. The repeated contractions fatigue muscles quickly.
Mentally, the lack of bodily control combined with the intense pain can be terrifying. However, the electrical pulses are designed to incapacitate without doing permanent damage. Once the trigger is released, the convulsions stop.
Post-Shock Effects
After the taser has been fired and the shocks stop, you are left feeling drained and disoriented. There is often trembling, twitching, and aching as the muscles spasm involuntarily. It takes several minutes for your body to regain neurological control.
There is intense burning and pain where the taser barbs penetrate the skin. The darts themselves can leave behind bruises, puncture wounds, and scarring, depending on the body area. In some cases, the darts may detach from the wires and get stuck in the skin, requiring removal.
Beyond the actual taser dart wounds, you may experience additional injuries from falling down or colliding with objects during the shocks. Uncontrolled muscle contractions can lead to strains or tears.
Mentally, being tased is disorienting and disturbing. Many report feeling residual fear, anxiety, elevated heart rate, and adrenaline after the experience. It takes time to reach your senses and regain awareness of your surroundings.
In most cases, the after-effects of being tased wear off after about 5-10 minutes. However, some muscle aches and mental distress may linger for hours or longer following the incident. Proper medical evaluation is recommended.
Factors That Influence Effects
Several factors influence the intensity and duration of getting tased. These include:
- Taser Voltage – Models range from 50,000 up to 1 million volts. Higher voltage equals greater neuromuscular incapacitation.
- Dart Placement – Where the darts embedded in the body impact effectiveness. Large muscle groups like the back and thighs cause more intense spasms.
- Clothing – Thick, loose, or heavy clothes may dissipate some electrical charge. However, tasers can penetrate up to two inches of clothing.
- Physiology – Factors like weight, muscle mass, and pain tolerance affect individual reactions. People under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not respond predictably.
- Mental State – Your response is influenced by whether you are prepared versus caught off guard. Remaining calm can help minimize anxiety and panic.
- Number of Shocks – Each successive taser trigger pull induces additional muscular fatigue and neurological disruption.
Conclusion
Being tased is painful and intense. The muscular jerks are caused by solid electric shocks, leading to severe pain and loss of self-control.
Though they are said to be harmless in most cases, tasers can result in long-term physical harm or psychological damage, depending on pre-existing conditions. Knowing what happens when one gets tasered may assist in preparing mentally for such a distressing experience someday.
