Certification Lesson Plan
VERSION 8.0

ADVANCED TASERÒ M26

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Course Outline
Detailed Lesson Plan
2
A detailed guide to conducting the certification course in conjunction with the PowerPoint presentations
supplied on C D -R O M .

Pre-Deployment Checklist
34
A checklist of preparations that should be com pleted prior to deploying the ADV AN C ED TASER in a law
enforcem ent agency.

User Certification Checklist
35
A checklist of procedures to certify end users in the use and care of the AD VAN C ED TASER .

Certification Test
37
This test m ust be com pleted by each end user prior to certification.

Certification Test Answers
42
Answ er key for use by instructors in grading certification tests.

Use of Force Report
44
Exam ple of a use of force report developed by the Chandler, AZ Police Departm ent. This report is included
as an aid for new departm ents in developing reporting procedures.

Demo Report
46
Instructors in-training are strongly urged to take a hit with the M 26 in order to clearly articulate how it works
and what it feels like. This report should be subm itted with the instructor application. Any tim e you conduct
a dem onstration, you should subm it copies of this report to TASER International, Inc. for our database.

1

COURSE OUTLINE
A. OVERVIEW : This class will cover the techniques for proper deployment of and certification of
end users in the use of the ADVANCED TASER less-lethal weapon.
B. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Given person(s) to be trained and a lesson plan,
instruct person(s) in the proper deployment and safety of the ADVANCED TASER.
C. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES: W ithout the aid of references, in accordance with the
detailed lesson plan and manual, a certified trained user will accomplish the following:
1. Pass the written test and demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the function and use of the
ADVANCED TASER.
2. Understand how the ADVANCED TASER overrides and controls the central nervous
systems of a combatant subject.
3. Know proper finger position for aiming and firing.
4. Be able to reload in a safe and proper manner.
5. Control unit adequately when commanded "Arm - Spark - Off" at random (understands
safety switch and trigger fully).
6. Know when the ADVANCED TASER is armed and ready to fire.
7. Know how to properly check battery power in the Power Handle, remove and reinstall
batteries correctly.
8. Know how to utilize the laser sight.
9. Understanding of probe placement and ballistics.
10. For ADVANCED TASER certification.
a. Draw ADVANCED TASER and hit target at 12-foot distance.
b. Draw ADVANCED TASER hit target at 8 feet, reload, hit 2 nd target at 12 feet with
laser sight (time limit 10 seconds).
11. Learn procedures to properly and safely remove probes from subject.
A. METHOD / MEDIA: This class will be taught by the lecture / demonstration method.
B. EVALUATION: Topics from this class will be evaluated via written tests, oral tests (instructors
only) and via performance checklist during the practical application conducted during the class.

COURSE TIME:
·

Instructor Certification Course: 8 Hours.

·

User Certification Course: 4 Hours.
TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 1

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 2

CD-ROM INSTRUCTIONS
·

The visual slides that accom pany this lesson plan can be found on the TASER International CD-ROM
version 8.0. To access the presentation, insert the CD into the CD drive. The CD will autom atically selfopen. Click on “Training Aids” from the first m enu. Select “Version 8.0 ADVANCED TASER Certification”
file to open the PowerPoint presentation. If you do not have Microsoft ® PowerPoint installed on your
com puter, select “Certification Slides for Non-PowerPoint Users” and this will open up a version of the
training slides that runs through your internet browser. This version is not “full screen,” but it can be run
without PowerPoint. Further, it requires less m em ory in your com puter to run the Internet browser
version.

·

If you are using a com puter with Microsoft PowerPoint: Once the presentation com es up in a sm aller
window on screen, point your m ouse at the center of the im age. Click the right button on your m ouse one
tim e. This will bring up a m enu. Select Full Screen and the presentation will grow to full screen size for
better visibility. You m ay now navigate through the certification course using the forward and back
arrows on your keyboard. Start videos by clicking on the im age once.

·

There are also other versions of the M 26 presentation available on the CD. A version designed
specifically for Canada and also versions in other languages. If you are using the AIR TASER 34000, you
will need to download the 34000 lesson plan and reprint it. The 34000 Lesson plan is available on the
Training Materials Page as well.

·

If you cannot locate the file for the certification course, or you have trouble opening it when accessing
through your browser, you can open the file directly from Microsoft PowerPoint or W indows Explorer.
Open the M26 folder on the CD – then open the sub folder Movies. The file is nam ed M26_Cert_v8.ppt.

DETAILED LESSON PLAN
·

Slide 1 Video (start all videos with a single m ouse click to the m iddle of the screen)
·
Attention gainer video – News release by Los Angeles County Sheriffs -- show during course setup.

ATTENTION GAINER: "The most important decision an officer can make is w hether or not to engage
deadly force upon a person. W ith the new advances in technology officers can now serve and protect
people with less than lethal means. The technology to stop that individual who is combat trained,
mentally deranged, or under the influence of drugs and alcohol is now available.”
·

Slide 2
·
Instructor introduction.

·

Slide 3: Overview
Take a brief m om ent to cover the m ain points that will be taught in the course as listed below:
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
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W hy ADVANCED TASER
W eapon Overview
How It W orks
Electrical and Medical
ADVANCED TASER Specs
Practical Application
Changing Batteries and Air Cartridge
Policies, Legal and Misc.
Tactics
Dataport, Battery Charger and Maintenance
Hands-on Firing Exercise

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 3

·

Slide 4 W eapon Safety 101
Review the points of basic weapon safety to ensure students treat the weapon with the care attendant
with a weapon system :
·
·
·
·
·

Never point at anything you don’t intend to shoot
Keep the weapon SAFETY ON until pointed in a safe direction (toward the target)
Never place finger on trigger unless firing is im m inent
Never place hand in front of weapon, especially when changing Air Cartridge
Laser light can cause eye dam age

·

Slide 5 Video of Actual Uses
Video of actual uses and dem onstration against m otivated, com bative subjects. Albuquerque SW AT
takes on m an on Metham phetam ines (m eth) who was unaffected by gas, im pact weapons, and K-9
attack who was incapacitated by M26 for two 5-second cycles; Toronto Police use the M26 to subdue an
arm ed subject in a city park by firing the M26 from an arm ored vehicle; Los Angeles Sheriffs subdue a
com bative subject high on PCP with the M26; Tactical Officers in British Colum bia use the M26 to
incapacitate a subject high on Methadone (fake heroin) who had been throwing bricks at officers;
Manteca Patrol uses M26 successfully against suspect on PCP and m eth; Chandler Police Officers use
the M26 to subdue a violent inm ate high on Metham phetam ines; and Hans Marrero, form er Hand-toHand Com bat Chief of USMC in the first test of the M26.

·

Slide 6 - 7
TASER technology was developed to reduce injuries to officers and suspects by stopping threats from a
safe distance. This is a key concept and should be emphasized throughout the course.

·

Slide 8 Tactical Advantages of the ADVANCED TASER
·
Extrem ely effective, even com pared to lethal weapons
·
Safe in num erous situations
·
Medically safe for suspects and fellow officers
·
Easy to use and m aintain

·

Slide 9
The ADVANCED TASER is not a substitute for lethal force. However, m any situations that begin as
standoffs have the potential to escalate to lethal force. Early, aggressive use of a less-lethal weapon
like the M 26 can prevent many of these situations from escalating to deadly force levels.

·

Slide 10
The ADVANCED TASER has the greatest im pact on officer safety when deployed with patrol level first
responding officers.
INSTRUCTOR'S NO TE: Field results show that when the M26 is on scene with first responders, the
ability to have the M26 im m ediately available is having a large impact on the success rate of reducing
escalation of force as a result of immediate access to M26s. More departments are m oving away from
having the TASER technology as a “boutique weapon” for supervisors only.

·

Slide 11 Video First Responder’s Tool
Video of Nassau County deputy first responder encountering two occupants of a car with a gun nearby.
One subject is verbally resistive, as there is a warrant for his arrest. The deputy fired upon the subject
successfully. Backup was at least 10 m inutes away.

·

Slide 12 TRANSITION: Having covered the learning objectives, let’s discuss the history and
theory behind TASER technology and why departments are deploying it.

·

Slide 13
Definitions
·
AIR TASER ® and ADVANCED TASER ® are less-lethal Conducted Energy W eapons that use
propelled wires to conduct energy to a rem ote target, thereby controlling and affecting the central

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 4

·

·

nervous system of the body.
AIR TASER and ADVANCED TASER are brand nam es associated with specific Conducted Energy
W eapons m anufactured by TASER ® International, Inc.

Slide 14 Conducted Energy W eapon History
·
Original gunpowder TASER invented during 1966-1974 and considered a firearm
·
This TASER was proven non-injurious with profound physiological and psychological effect upon
hum ans and anim als
·
Original Tasertron TASER is a 7-W att “Stun” system with 86% field use effectiveness
·
TASER Int’l developed a non-firearm 7-W att system called the AIR TASER in 1994
·
TASER Int’l developed the ADVANCED TASER M26 on 12/99. 1500+ depot deploy the M26 (8/02).
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Jack Cover was the inventor of the TASER during 1966-1974. As a chief
scientist for the NASA Apollo Moon Landing Program, Jack responded to President Johnson’s Blue
Ribbon Commission’s call for development of non-lethal weapons. During the development of the
TASER non-lethal weapon (1966-1974), it was discovered that very short duration (microseconds), high
energy, predominately D.C. (Direct Current) pulses were non-lethal and non-injurious, but had a profound
physiological and psychological effect upon both humans and animals. In the 1971-74 period, tests on
volunteers were done under the supervision of Dr. Frank Summers with two cardiologists, a physiologist,
EKG and other instrumentation at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange County, CA. TASER Int’l developed the
7-W att AIR TASER as a non-firearm version of the TASER (the older TASER uses a black powder charge
propellant) made of high impact sonic welded polymer. It’s output and effects are based upon the
continued research of TASER International. Their combined efforts added immense technological
changes and decreased the size and weight of the unit while adding performance enhancements such as
controlled cycle time and built-in battery indicators for maximum effectiveness.

·

Slide 15 W hy it W orks
·
The hum an nervous system communicates by means of simple electrical impulses in the body
via a neural network of nerves.
·
Conducted Energy W eapons are effective because they override the central nervous system of the
hum an body.
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: The ADVANCED TASER sends out short duration, high voltage electrical
waves or TASER-W aves Ô or T-W aves that overpower the normal electrical signals within the nerve
fibers. If you look at a scope reading of the wave signals used by nerves to com m unicate within the body,
the T-W ave is very sim ilar to the signals used by the nerves. These T-W aves create extra “noise” within
the nervous system m uch like static on the “phone lines” of the hum an body. Discuss how the body's
com m unication is analogous to having a conversation on a telephone where signals are sent from one
phone to another via electrical signals. Should a third person pick up this phone line and begin to scream
(analogous to a T-W ave in the body), the other two persons can no longer hear com m unication. Just as
im portant, when the scream ing stops, com m unications begins again without dam age to the phone line.

·

Slide 16 W hy it W orks
·
Conducted Energy W eapons are effective because they overwhelm these electrical im pulses
·
W ith 26-W atts, an ADVANCED TASER can override the central nervous system of the hum an body
·
Affects both sensory and m otor system s
·
Does not rely solely on pain for com pliance, but it is painful

·

Slide 17 Stun vs. EM D
·
STUN systems: The original TASERs jam the central nervous system with electrical noise. (The
AIR TASER 34000 is a stun system .) This only affects the sensory nervous system – i.e. stun
system s cause a trem endous am ount of noise to be fed into the brain – sensations which can be
overwhelm ing to m ost people. But stun system s do not cause a direct physical effect.
Pow er: 5-15 W atts
·
EM D (Electro-Muscular Disruption) system s: The M26 not only stuns, it overrides the central
nervous system causing uncontrollable contractions of the m uscle tissue. The ADVANCED TASER

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 5

·

is an EM D system and affects the sensory AND m otor nervous system .
Pow er: 16-26 W atts
W atts are the key, not the Volts. W atts are the “broadcast power” that the weapon transm its into
the nervous system of the target. Voltage only m easures how far a spark can arc through the air.

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Stun systems act by “stunning” the target with a high level of electronic
stimulation. However, highly focused individuals may not be incapacitated by the stun effect. EMD
systems use a more intense electrical waveform to directly cause contraction of the muscles and override
the central nervous system . Thus, the EMD systems not only stun the target; they physically debilitate
the target by contracting the muscles. At a high level, stun systems affect the sensory nervous
system (i.e., it creates very intense sensations which will stun the target) w hereas the EMD
systems affect the motor nervous system and muscles causing direct physical incapacitation.
·

Slide 18 Stun vs. EM D
·
The hum an nervous system is the com m and, control, and com m unication system of the hum an body.
The nervous system is com prised of three elem ents:
·
The central nervous system is the com m and center including the brain and spinal cord. All
inform ation processing and decision m aking processes occur in the central nervous system .
·
The sensory nervous system includes the nerves that carry inform ation to the brain. These
are the “intelligence gathering” nerves which carry inform ation about the environm ent (hot,
cold, wet, etc.) and the state of the body (pain, body positioning, etc.) to the brain. These
nerves tend to sit near the surface of the body in the skin, where they can interface with the
skin and the environm ent around the body to gather inform ation. The location of these
nerves near the skin m akes them easier to stim ulate than deeper nerves. Hence, lower
power stun weapons affect only these nerves.
·
The m otor nervous system includes the nerves that carry com m and signals from the brain to
the m uscles controlling all m ovem ent. These nerves are located deeper in the body,
protected within and beneath the m uscle tissue. It takes a greater am ount of power (and a
different waveform ) to penetrate deep enough to control these m otor nerves. Thus the higher
power and deeper penetrating waveform s of an EMD weapon are required to affect these
nerves.

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Slide 19 Video Stun vs. EM D
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The test subjects were given the goal to move toward the TASER operator. The
subjects who are stunned are slightly impaired while the EMD effect is complete incapacitation.

·

Slide 20 How it works
Note that the top probe is fired straight along the line of sight of the weapon and will hit approxim ately
where the laser dot is placed. The lower probe will fire at an 8-degree downward angle. This results in a
spread of 1 foot between the two probes for every 7 feet of distance between the weapon and the target.
I.e. at a range of 14 feet the bottom probe will im pact 2 feet below the top probe.

·

Slide 21 Success Rate by Distance
Distance
Stun M ode
1-3 Feet:
3-7 Feet:
7-11 Feet:
11-15 Feet:
15-21 Feet:

Success*
246
124
340
290
153
27

Failed
21
5
18
21
13
2

Success Rate
92.15%
96.12%
94.97%
93.25%
92.17%
93.10%

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The ADVANCED TASER is designed such that the two probes separate during
flight. Volunteer tests have shown that a separation of 6-8 inches between the probes yields a stronger
effectiveness. How ever, the field data here shows that even at very close ranges (less than 3 feet), the

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 6

effectiveness of the ADVANCED TASER is well over 90%.
*Success is defined as incapacitation with no further escalation of force required to subdue subject (data
as of 5/16/02).
·

Slide 22 Video Penetration of over 2.5” of clothing
·
Dem onstration video of clothing penetration. The electric arc from the ADVANCED TASER can
penetrate up to 2.5” of cum ulative clothing. I.e. if one probe has penetrated the skin, the other probe
can be up to 2.5” away from the body and the TASER-W ave will arc through the clothing to com plete
the circuit. O r, alternatively, each probe can be 1.25” away from the body. The total arc generated
including the air gaps between both probes and the subject’s body is 2.5.”

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Slide 23 Video Penetration of Class II vest
The arc from the ADVANCED TASER can arc through virtually any breathable m aterial, including
som e bullet resistant vests. However, perform ance of the ADVANCED TASER in penetrating bullet
resistant vests will vary depending on the construction m ethods in each vest.

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Slide 24 Electrical and M edical Safety

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Slide 25 M edical Safety
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It’s not the Volts that are dangerous; it’s the am ps.
·
The electrical output of the ADVANCED TASER is 50,000 Volts. The voltage m ay seem high, but the
am perage on both system s is well below safe lim its.
·
The M26 em its 26-W atts of energy.
·
ADVANCED TASER M26 is 162m A Irm s = 0.162 Am ps.
·
The output of the M26 into a hum an body is 1/100 th of the dangerous level.

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Slide 26 Electrical Safety
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Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. (electrical fence safety guideline) proven safe for people betw een 2
- 75 years of age. IEC 479 is a safety standard com m only used in Europe. Studies have shown
there are no long-term effects from being shot by T ASER. The key concept of this slide is that
students see the electrical output of the ADVANCED TASER is at about 1/100 th of the danger level
on the chart – a 100 x safety m argin.

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Slide 27 M edical Safety
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Tests of ADVANCED TASER have found:
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No effect on heart rhythm s (tested on anim als).
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Tested on over 3,000+ hum an volunteers.
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Over 99% incapacitation in less than a second.
·
No long-term effects.
·
The electrical outputs are still well within the safe levels defined by International standards.
·
Minor skin irritation sim ilar to sun burns.
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Out of the 3,000+ volunteers, there are less than five who have been able to
remain standing through a high degree of mental focus. However, the muscles of their upper body were
contracted severely and the subjects would not have been able to perform combative behavior. Subjects
were only able to remain standing with hits to the front of the upper torso or to the side of the body in the
ribs where there are no major muscles. Hits to the back which affected the m ajor muscles of the back
were overwhelming and dropped most of these subjects with the exception of those that did not get hit
with a second shot to the back. This is one reason why hits to the back are preferred when viable.

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Slide 28 M edical Findings Pacemakers
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Modern pacem akers withstand electrical defibrillators several hundred tim es stronger than TASER
pulses from the ADVANCED TASER.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 7

·

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If placed in direct contact with a pacem aker, it could m om entarily affect it without health
endangerm ent.

Slide 29 M edical Findings Heart Failure/Drugs
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Heart Failure: In tests perform ed at the Univ. of Missouri, the 26-W att ADVANCED TASER M26 was
applied directly to the chest of test anim als.
·
Using “worst case” scenarios, two leading experts in cardiac safety found no interference by the M26
with the heart rhythm s -- even when the anim al subjects under test were given drugs (epinephrine
and drugs sim ilar to PCP and cocaine) that m ake the heart m ore susceptible to electrical stim ulation.
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Dr. Paul Hendry, Co-Director of the Pacemaker Clinic at the U niversity of
Ottawa Heart Institute concludes that, “W ith regard to it's (the M26's) medical safety, based on the
information that was provided to me I cannot see that it should provide any increased risks to patients
with either pacemakers or implantable defibrillators.”

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Slide 30 Suspect’s Behavioral Influence
Influence
Cases
%
Alcohol
617
37.5%
EDP
379
23.0%
Cocaine
75
4.6%
Meth
63
3.8%
PCP
16
1.0%
Misc. Drugs
15
1.0%
INSTRUCTOR’S NO TE: This data is from the first 1645 field uses of the M26. It shows the types of
subjects that are typically involved in M26 usage. There are a high percentage of subjects on alcohol
and/or are emotionally disturbed (EDP). This data also reinforces that the M26 is particularly effective
against those on alcohol and hardcore drugs.

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Slide 31 Video Emotionally Disturbed Person
Sheriff’s deputies in Tucson, Arizona use the ADVANCED TASER to safely subdue a m entally disturbed
m an who had threatened to kill his girlfriend, him self, and anyone who got close to him .

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Slide 32 The Rodney King Case
Original TASER by Tasertron
ADVANCED TASER by TASER International, Inc.
7-W atts
26-W atts
NiCad Batteries
NiMH Batteries
15 foot range
21-foot range
No auto cycle
Autom atic tim ing cycle
Sensory effect
Sensory & m otor effect
Pain effect
Muscle and pain effect
Marginally effective
Extrem ely effective
INSTRUCTOR’S NO TE: The Rodney King incident is, unfortunately, the most widely known TASER
incident. However, it is important for the students to understand the important changes in TASER
technology since the King incident and why the ADVANCED TASER is much more effective.

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Slide 33 Video PCP User
Video of naked m an on PCP who is pepper sprayed with no effect. The M 26 is deployed and
successfully subdues this dangerous individual. The first 5-second cycle drops the subject on his back.
The deputies use a second 5-second cycle to gain com pliance by the subject to roll onto his stom ach
where he is cuffed without further incident. Excellent, real work exam ple of the effectiveness of the
ADVANCED TASER against subjects under the influence of heavy narcotics.

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Slide 34 From Pain to Incapacitation

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 8

All less-lethal weapons have worked on pain com pliance that can be overcom e by drugs, alcohol, EDPs
or by m ental focus.
The M26 does not rely on pain to achieve com pliance. It overwhelm s the central nervous system and
achieves incapacitation
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Slide 35 Comparison of Injuries Graph
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Please review actual injury data from original TASER TE-86 as deployed at
LAPD. This data is from the older model TASER (not manufactured by TASER International), and does
not include feature enhancements such as the battery indication and automatic timing in the AIR TASER
and ADVANCED TASER. The data for police officers injured or affected includes officer contamination
using pepper sprays. W hile most of these uses did not result in officer injury, the fact that the officer was
contaminated with the spray placed him at increased risk.

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Slide 36 Video RCM P Testing of M 26
Side by side com parisons of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP) tactical officers involved in survival
training. The officers are hit with OC pepper and challenged to attack a practice pad with batons strikes,
then attack a second pad with knee strikes, then call on the radio for backup. Each officer is shown
taking the pepper spray hit on the left and the M26 hit on the right side. The purpose here is not to
depreciate a valuable tool such as pepper spray. OC spray has contributed greatly to the field of
law enforcement and w ill continue to be valuable tools in the law enforcement “toolbox.” Instead,
this video dem onstrates the speed of which the M 26 affects the subject and that a goal-oriented
and focused individuals are unable to resist the effects of the M 26.

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Slide 37 M edical Summary
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Studies have shown there are no long-term effects from being shot by TASER technology.
·
Univ. of Southern Calif. Medical Center concluded the 7-W att TASER leaves 0% long-term injuries.
·
ADVANCED TASER testing of over 3,000+ hum an volunteers also found 0% long-term injuries.
·
Short-term injuries can result from falling and probes. Currently, the m ost significant have been cuts,
bruises, and abrasions.

·

Slide 38 Video 3,000+ Volunteers
This shows a com pilation of volunteer tests of over 3,000+ law enforcem ent officers who have tested
the M26. Notice both the effectiveness of the M26 and the speed of the subject’s recovery without
any injury.

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Slide 39 Transition to W eapon Specifications

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Slide 40 W eapon Diagram

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 9

·

Slide 41 ADVANCED TASER is available in Yellow to further distinguish from lethal force.

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Slide 42 Safety/Trigger Demonstration
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Dem onstrate Trigger and Safety Operation.

·

Slide 43 Battery Indicator FOR ALKALINE BATTERIES ONLY
·
LED light operates when SAFETY IS OFF
·
Battery indicator works with alkaline batteries only -- not NiMH rechargeables
·
For alkaline batteries:
·
Pulsing light = good batteries
·
Steady light = low batteries (unit can work, but change soon). AAs m ust have correct +/- positions
·
No light = change batteries

·

Slide 44 Battery Test for NiM H
·
Battery indicator is calibrated for alkaline batteries and will not function properly with rechargeables
·
Rechargeable batteries will always indicate “low” (steady LED) even when fully charged
·
Check NiMH battery strength by rem oving Air Cartridge, flip SAFETY OFF, depress trigger and check
for a rapid pulse rate (15-20 pulses per second for NiMHs)
·
Flip SAFETY ON and replace cartridge

·

Slide 45 Air Cartridge Types
·
Note that the color of the blast door determ ines if live 15 ft (Yellow) or 21 ft (Striped).
·
Yellow blast door on black cartridge is live 15 foot Air Cartridge.
·
Yellow and Black Stripe on black cartridge is live 21 foot Air Cartridge.

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Slide 46 Expended Air Cartridge

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 10

·

Black (em pty) expended Air Cartridge is inert, but the stun function is still operational.

INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Pass out various types of Air Cartridges and have the students unwrap their Air
Cartridges and note the following:
·
Pressure release buttons.
Reversible design – cannot jam cartridges.
·

Slide 47 Propulsion System
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Point out how the probes are launched, connecting the w ires to the target and
conducting the TASER wave energy through the wires into the subject through up to 2.25” of clothing.
1800 PSI = 1800 pounds per square inch from compressed and inert nitrogen capsules located inside the
Air Cartridge. Each Air Cartridge is disposable after firing. Note that the wires are easily breakable and
that arresting officers should not step them on.

·

Slide 48 Propulsion System
·
W ires are steel with insulated coating
·
W ires can break easily if stepped on or pulled
·
Inadvertent contact with wires or the probe during firing can result in electrical shock
·
ADVANCED TASER shooter m ust advise officers to avoid wires during restraint

·

Slide 49 Probes
·
1/4-inch #8 sterile fish hooks with barb (1/2 inch for XP)
·
Penetration cannot exceed 1/4-inch depth even at point blank range (1/2 inch for XP)
·
Penetrated probes cauterize skin
·
Can leave a red puncture wound or slight red signature m ark resem bling a slight burn m ark

·

Slide 50 How it W orks
·
The Air Cartridge bores are both angled probes at a 4-degree angle from centerline
·
The front of the ADVANCED TASER Air Cartridge firing bay cants 4-degrees downward
·
This cant drops the top probe down from +4 degrees to 0 degrees and adds 4 degrees m ore to
bottom 4 degrees = 8 degrees downward angle on lower probe

·

Slide 51 Secondary Cartridge Clip
Optional secondary cartridge clip that replaces battery cover to allow for extra Air Cartridge on hand. The
secondary cartridge clip carries a backup shot for im m ediate reloading capability. Not only does this
keep your off hand free (no need to carry a second cartridge in your hand), it m akes reloading faster.
Because the cartridge is indexed in the sam e orientation as the firing bay (with a 90-degree downturn),
the user does not have to fum ble with the cartridge to get it into the correct orientation for loading. It also
releases into your hand in the sam e orientation required for loading -- m inim izing reload tim e.

·

Slide 52 Practical Application

·

Slide 53 Ready . . .
·
Draw TASER from holster
·
Keep finger off the trigger
·
Point in safe direction
·
Place SAFETY OFF (safety switch up)

·

Slide 54 Aim . . .
·
Aim at target: Center of m ass, or legs
·
Laser is point of im pact for top dart
·
TASER fires probes in line with 8-degree probe spread
·
Right handed trigger pulls m ay cant weapon to left

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 11

·

Slide 55 Fire: Automatic Cycle
· Single trigger pull fires current for 5 seconds
· Trigger pulls during the 5 seconds cycle will not affect the cycle unless held continuously
· Holding the trigger continuously beyond the 5 second cycle will continue the electrical cycle until trigger is
released
· The M26 can fire 10 back to back 5-second cycles without risk of overheating to preserve life of training
weapons. Continue as necessary in field use.
· Allow the M26 a chance to cool if possible
· Shut off unit ASAP if accidentally discharged

·

Slide 56 Vital Point W hen Firing
·
The M26 electrical current is relatively quiet in actual hum an use
·
The M26 is loud when shot at TASER targets – the electrical current is arcing in the air.
·
W hen probes m ake contact with skin the electric current is relatively quiet because the probe
is directly discharging the energy into the body
·
If electrical current is loud during field hit and the subject is not reacting, the energy is m ost likely
shorting out and m ay not be effective -- reload and fire second shot at alternate area.

·

Slide 57 Loud Arcing
The M26 electrical current is relatively quiet in actual hum an use – if you hear arcing, the electricity is
arcing in the air. This could m ean the current is arcing through the clothes into the subject, or, it could
m ean the current is arcing around the cartridge and is not connecting into the target.
Video
dem onstration.

·

Slide 58 Good Connection: Quiet Arc
Good connections are quite, and you cannot hear the arc. Video dem onstration.

·

Slide 59 Effective Target Zones
·
Unlike chem ical agents, the entire body is effective target zone. DO NOT AIM AT HEAD/THROAT
UNLESS SITUATION DICTATES A HIGHER LEVEL OF INJURY RISK IS JUSTIFIED.

·

Slide 60 Sam ple Probe Injuries
Note the m inim al injury from probe penetrations. The disturbance left by a probe penetration is sim ilar to
that from a cactus barb or fishhook. In m any cases, the electric charge from the TASER cauterizes the
wound and prevents bleeding even after probe rem oval. However, this is not always the case and som e
m inor bleeding m ay occur in som e cases.

·

Slide 61 Sam ple Probe Injuries
Before and after photo of probe im pact direct to skin.

·

Slide 62 Sam ple Probe Injuries
Left photo shows probe im pact to lower lip. Right photo shows the m arks left after probe rem oval on a
chest im pact.

·

Slide 63 Sample Probe Injuries: Face Hit
Photos from incident with face hit from TASER. Although this subject was fine, re-em phasize to class
NOT to aim at the head or face. In this instance, the subject charged officers and put his head down as
the officer fired, m oving his face inadvertently into the probe path.
Photos from incident with probe im pact to back of head. Although this subject was fine, re-em phasize not
to target head area.

·

Slide 64 Follow-up Action
·
M26 user should anticipate holding the trigger down while the suspect is restrained
·
Suspect is only incapacitated during the TASER cycle -- the w indow of opportunity

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 12

·
·
·

Officers should provide verbal com m ands during and after the M26 application
Officers need to subdue and cuff without hesitation
Do not touch or step on probes or wires

·

Slide 65 Stun M ode Back-up
·
The M26 also functions as a stun m ode after the probes have been fired as a backup weapon.
DRIVE W EAPON AGGRESSIVELY INTO SUBJECT FOR BEST EFFECTIVENESS.
·
The M26 will always fire a live cartridge when activated if unfired cartridge is present

·

Slide 66 Stun-Only M ode
·
To use in stun m ode without firing probes, rem ove live cartridge
·
Probes will always fire if a live cartridge is in the firing bay

·

Slide 67 Stun M ode Potential
This slide shows an actual deploym ent situation where one officer rem oves the cartridge to allow the
direct use of the stun m ode without firing probes while a second officer retains his T ASER with cartridge
in place for use against distance targets. Discuss with the class situations where the use of the stun-only
m ode m ay or m ay not be appropriate.

·

Slide 68 Stun M ode Potential
For stun mode areas, aggressively drive M 26 into:
o Carotid / brachial stun area
o Groin
o Com mon Peronial
Som eone in a m ental health crisis state, under the influence of a m ind altering substance, or extrem ely
focused are prone to "m ind-body disconnection.” If only the stun m ode is used, the M26 becom es a pain
com pliance technique with lim ited threat reduction potential for subjects at the high end of the three m indbody disconnect categories. DRIVE THE TASER AGGRESSIVELY INTO THE SUBJECT FOR BEST
RESULT.
Field use success of 267 stun mode uses: 92.1%

·

Slide 69 Subject Reactions
This video shows a drive-stun into the calf region for dealing with a subject who refuses to show his
hands. This m ode of use m ay or m ay not be appropriate – please consult your departm ent’s use of force
policy.

·

Slide 70 Video: Chief Instructor Hans M arrero Demonstrates “Drive-Stun”

·

Slide 71 Changing Batteries and Air Cartridge

·
·
·
·
·
·

Slide 72 Battery M agazine Removal
Place in “safe” m ode (CRITICAL!)
Rem ove Air Cartridge (CRITICAL!)
Depress battery cover pin with cuff key, pen, or bent paper clip
Slide cover out
Rem ove and load battery tray

·

Slide 73 Battery M agazine Removal with Secondary Cartridge Clip
·
Sam e as with regular battery cover, except that a cuff key will not fit into the area required to depress
the battery cover release pin.

·

Slide 74 Battery M agazine Removal
·
Prior to installing or removing the battery, ensure the Air Cartridge has been removed.
·
Gently tap the base of the M26 handle against thigh and use palm of hand to catch m agazine.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 13

Slide 75 M 26 Battery Insertion
·
Insert 8 AA batteries using “V-shape”
·
Match + / - battery polarities properly
·
Reinsert battery tray (battery contacts first)
·
Reinstall battery cover
·
Perform battery check -- place SAFETY OFF
·
Return SAFETY ON
·
Replace Air Cartridge

·

INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: It is extremely important to use caution when carrying a loaded battery tray
outside the M26 unit. There have been reported cases of officers carrying them in their pockets and
causing them to short circuit by arcing the contacts points with keys or other metallic objects. The
batteries can overheat and rupture if they are short-circuited. It should be the practice of officers to carry
loaded battery trays in such a manner to prevent any accidental arcing of the contact points of the tray.
Slide 76 Approved Batteries: Nickel M etal Hydride
·
Batteries are run at their m axim um capacity by the M26. Using approved batteries is m ission critical

·

to the success of the stopping
·
·

TASER ® NiM H Rechargeable batteries were designed specially for ADVANCED TASER. 1500
m Ah, 1.2 Volt NiMH.
Energizer Ò ACCU Rechargeable AA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 1.2 Volt batteries. 1200 m illi am p
hours (m Ah) to 1600 m Ah are acceptable.

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The higher the mAh number, the longer the charge will last. The milliamp hour
rating (mAh) will vary in availability and the higher the mAh, the higher the price.
·

Slide 77 Approved Batteries Alkalines
·
Duracell Ultra Ò AA 1.5 Volt batteries. Do not use just plain “coppertop” alkaline batteries. Ultras have
a distinct blue band or blue swirl on the battery.
·
Energizer E 2 Ò Titanium 1.5 Volt batteries.

·
·
·

Slide 78 NiM Hs vs. Duracell Batteries: Hear the difference
Cycle the Energizer ACCU NiMH. Note the 15-20 pulses per second.
Cycle the Duracell Ultras. Note the 12-15 pulses per second on fresh set.

·

Slide 79 Battery Selection
·
Non-approved NiMH batteries m ay have non-conductive cardboard covering the positive top base
(see red arrow)
·
Battery tray springs m ight not m ake com plete contact and can result in m alfunction during firing. The
firing percussion will separate the +/- connections for a split second im m ediately stopping autom atic
electrical cycle
·
The m iddle and right tops will work as the top bases of each positive end are exposed
·
Rem oving the cardboard m ay destroy the battery

·

Slide 80 Battery Selection
·
Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries give the strongest output, and perform m uch
better in cold weather. These must be recharged every tw o weeks. Also, the battery indicator
w ill not w ork w ith NiM Hs. Rem ove the Air Cartridge and check for rapid pulse rate. Uncharged
batteries will cause weapon failure.
·
Alkaline batteries have a stronger shelf life and the selection of the battery is very im portant. There
are only two alkaline batteries recom m ended for optim al perform ance: the Duracell Ultra Ò and
Energizer Ò Titanium series. Each has clearly m arked expiration dates. Be very careful that you get

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 14

the ULTRA, not the regular “coppertop” Duracell alkaline! You m ust check for the blue band
around the m iddle of the battery indicating it is the new ULTRA series.
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: In a perfect world, you will get a little more power out of the rechargeable NiMH
batteries. You can observe the power output by simply observing the pulse rate of the unit when
activated. Since each pulse is identical, the more power, the faster the pulse rate will be. In general, the
good aspect of the Duracell Ultra is that they don’t require recharging and can be left in the unit for
months at a tim e without problems and have long expiration dates. If using NiMHs, check and charge
every two weeks -- requiring much more maintenance. If you do not ensure they are charged regularly,
this will cause weapon failures in the field. BATTERY FAILURES WITH RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
IN OLDER TASERs HAVE RESULTED IN FA TALITIES BECAUSE OFFICERS HAD TO USE LETHAL
FORCE.
·

Slide 81 Loading Cartridge
·
Safety first!
·
Treat this as a loaded weapon
·
Key areas to watch:
·
Always place SAFETY ON (down)
·
Keep fingers clear from blast doors
·
Point weapon in safe direction
·
Keep finger off the trigger

·

Slide 82 Loading Cartridge
·
Place TASER in SAFETY ON
·
Rem ove and discard fired Air Cartridge
·
place expended probes in safe area
·
Rem ove spare Air Cartridge
·
Point weapon in safe direction
·
Keep finger off the trigger
·
Install new Air Cartridge
·
Air Cartridge has reversible fit
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Let students practice loading. Expired Air Cartridges may be used for training,
but should never be deployed. Officers must turn-in expired Air Cartridges to a supervisor for training use
only and not field use.

·

Slide 83 Policies, Legal and M isc.

·

Slide 84 Case Law
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Case law for TASERs manufactured by Tasertron (possibly applicable under
Common Law)
·

M ateyko v. Felix (1997, CA) awarded $19,680 for inadequate training. A sm all am ount of m oney to
a m an nam e Mateyko for em otional distress caused during a traffic stop and the subsequent use of a
Tasertron T ASER. In this case the lower court's jury directed 96% of the fault upon the driver
Mateyko and 4% against the city for negligent infliction of em otional distress am ounting to a total of
$19,680 out of $490,000. The case touches upon issues of training and m entions that the officers
didn't know the voltage and the precise effects upon a hum an body of a TASER. This case, in m y
opinion, only reinforces that a city deploying a TASER weapon m ust provide adequate training. It
does not establish that 3-4 hours of training is inadequate as som e legal sum m aries have incorrectly
cited on their web pages. A city’s training m ust be adequate. Inadequate training can form the basis
for m unicipal liability "only where the failure to train am ounts to deliberate indifference to the rights of
person with whom the police com e into contact." In other words, Oxnard m ust provide adequate
training in a nutshell (and when they take the stand, any trained officer should know the M26 is

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 15

·

·

·

50,000 Volts and that the M26 overrides the central nervous system through the electrical output of
the 26-W atts). Using the TASER Int’l PowerPoint training when conducting training should cover
these training areas in totality.
ALFORD et al. vs. OSEI-KW ASI et al (1992, GA). Fem ale inm ate Alford sued DeKalb County
Deputy Sheriff for deploying the TASER on her while pregnant. However, the appellate court granted
sum m ary judgem ent in favor of the defendants, noting that “Osei-Kwasi (the corrections officer)
stated he used the TASER to m inim ize possible injuries to all concerned, including Alford and her
unborn child.” Case ruling is available on the CD-ROM in the legal section from the m ain m enu.
M ichenfelder vs. Sum ner et al (1988, NV). Michenfelder sued for violation of his rights because the
Tasertron TASER was used to enforce strip searches (force presence only, not fired at him ). Court
found the TASER was used to enforce com pliance with a search that had a reasonable security
purpose, not as punishm ent. The legitim ate intended result of a shooting is incapacitation of a
dangerous person, not the infliction of pain.
Hinton v. City of Elw ood, (1993, KS) Federal appeals court holds that use of stun gun to subdue
m an who was resisting arrest by kicking and biting was an appropriate use of force.

·

Slide 85 Legal M isc.
·
TASER International has never been sued for product liability as of 8/19/02.
·
No cases have been “settled” concerning the use of a TASER Int’l product.
·
No deaths contributed solely to TASER.
·
Other factors that could contribute to death:
·
Drug overdoses
·
Bullet wounds
·
Flam m able (gasoline)
·
Falling from high buildings

·

Slide 86 Liability & Negligence
·
1931: New England Coal & Coke Co. v. Northern Barge Corporation (Federal District Court, S.D.
New York)
·
Tug boats towing barges loaded with coal
·
Storm approaches and sinks barges
·
Tug boats had no radios, hence couldn’t hear storm warnings
·
Cargo owner sued tug boat & barge com panies for negligence
·
Courts found tug boat & barge com panies liable for not equipping with readily available and widely
used radio technology
·
Parallel to less-lethal weapons?
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: This case was recently highlighted at a 2002 NDIA military less-lethal weapons
conference by an attorney from the U.S. Department of Defense. The contention of his presentation was
that this line of argument could eventually be seen by government agencies that do not implement lesslethal weapons programs. The reason this case is included in the lesson plan is to illustrate the issue that
TASERs must be evaluated in the overall context of use of force and liability issues. Frequently, agency
administrations tend to focus on the potential liability of deploying less-lethal weapons like the
ADVANCED TASER due to concerns about injuries, etc. However, the risk of injury needs to be weighed
relative to existing tactics and technologies and balanced against the risk of escalation to deadly force if
effective less-lethal weapons are not available.
This case is a discussion topic, and can serve as a powerful example to management that the risks of not
having a well thought out and extensive less-lethal weapons program may lead to liability problems.
More inform ation about this case is included in the file negligent_liability.pdf located in the “training_aids”
folder on the version 8 CD-ROM.

·

Slide 87 Liability: The LASD Experience
·
Los Angeles Sheriff’s D eputy Mike Harding com pared 3 liability cases prior to M26 deploym ent with
actual field uses

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 16

·
·

Conclusion: Had the M26 been available in these three cases, injuries and death to the subject m ay
have been averted.
Potential liability savings: $2,500,000

INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: This data is the result of an analysis of potential liability savings presented by
Deputy Mike Harding at the 2002 TASER Tactical Conference. A copy of the presentation in located in
the “movies” folder on the version 8.0 TASER CD-ROM. The file name is “LASO Powerpoint.ppt” and is
a Microsoft PowerPoint document.
This study looked at use of force liability payouts during 2000 and 2001 for the LASO (Los Angeles
Sheriff’s Office). Specifically, the study concluded that the availability of the ADVANCED TASER m ight
have averted death or serious injury had it been available in three specific cases:
Case #1: A Mentally ill 33-year-old m ale was arrested for an outstanding bench warrant. He was taken
to jail without incident. During jail processing, the arrestee was observed to hallucinate and m um ble to
him self. The jail physician and psychiatrist ordered the subject to be put in restraint. A fight ensured as
nine deputies attem pted to restrain him . By the tim e he was strapped to his bed, he was dead. Medical
exam iner finding: Suspect died from asphyxiation due to com pression against the throat and enlarged
heart. He had distinct bruises on the pharynx as a result of fighting with deputies. Settlem ent Cost:
$600,000.
Case #2: A 33-year-old m ale is custody refused to subm it to a strip search. A fight ensued as three
deputies struggled to safely control him . He subsequently died. Medical exam iner finding: His death was
partially caused by som eone lying on top of him and partially caused by the position his body was in.
Settlem ent Cost: $1,500,000
Case #3: Deputies responded to a m an with a knife call. As deputies tried to defuse the situation, the
suspect becam e irate and threatened deputies’ lives by throwing a large knife at them . Deputies at scene
fired their weapons and subsequently killed the subject. Settlem ent cost: $500,000
These cases were com pared to 5 incidents involving persons with knives where the early aggressive use
of the ADVANCED TASER M26 brought the situation safely under control and averted potential
escalation to lethal force levels.
·

Slides 88 Use Of Force Continuum M atrix (Example only)
·
Placing TASER technology (Conductive Energy W eapons) on the use of force continuum is the
responsibility of the police departm ent m anagem ent. The recom m endations here are to assist
departm ents in developing a sound policy.
·
Highlight placem ent of the ADVANCED TASER on Continuum .
·
Explain why it is placed on par with chem ical sprays (fewer injuries and no aftereffects).

·

Slide 89 Policy / Procedures
·
Purpose
·
Policy
·
Procedures for treatm ent of the subject shot by the ADVANCED TASER
·
ADVANCED TASER use of force report review
INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: During this portion of the training, the instructor should hand out copies of
department SOPs to the users and review the content. Also, it is strongly recommended that the
department create a policy for declaring a TASER deployment to prevent sympathetic shootings. Many
agencies use either “Code Zebra” or “Code 100” or “Code TASER” as an all-band broadcast prior to
deployment. This alerts officers arriving on scene that the TASER is being deployed to prevent
“sympathetic nerve shootings” (so that the “pop” from the TASER shot is not mistaken for a gunshot).
Also, many departm ents train officers to shout “TASER, TASER” prior to, or during the firing of the
weapon to reinforce with all on-scene officers that a less-lethal weapon is being deployed.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 17

·

Slide 90 Analysis of Field Reports
Type of Incident
Violent
Resisting Arrest
Suicidal
Civil Disturbance
Barricaded
W arrant Service
Officer Assault

Number of Incidents
531
483
267
191
99
93
73

Percentage
32.28%
29.36%
16.23%
11.61%
6.02%
5.65%
4.44%

Note: There is m ore than 100% as each event reported m ay involve one or m ore types of incidents.
·

Slide 91 Case 1: Potential Use
·
Prim e exam ple of an opportunity of using a M26 but unavailable
·
Chandler PD, AZ 9/98
·
250-lbs. m ale
·
Irate, out of control, unarm ed
·
Claim ing HIV positive
·
Sm all room , enclosed environm ent
·
Result: In swarm - officer bitten and suspect’s jaw was broken
·
Note: TASER Technology could have significantly reduced injuries to officer and suspect without
contam ination in a close quarter battle scenario

·

Slide 92 Case 2: Suicidal Girl
·
Successful use against a child with deadly weapons
·
W estm inster PD, CO 5/01
·
13-yr-old girl barricaded in bathroom
·
2 butcher knives in hand
·
Charges officers with knives raised overhead
·
M26 deployed with im m ediate effect
·
“All officers on scene agree that she would be dead today without the M26”

·

Slide 93 Case 3: Video Police Cell Extraction
Chandler PD, AZ, cell extraction involving violent and com bative m an on m etham phetam ine for 3 days.
This subject had already fought his father and officers – injuring one officer. Subject was ready to fight
officers attem pting to extract him from his cell. The M26 was deployed with im m ediate successful results
and without injury to the suspect or officers.

·

Slide 94: Tactics

·

Slide 95: Length of Field Applications of ADVANCED TASER
1 seconds
9
1.1%
2 seconds
20
2.5%
3 seconds
31
3.9%
4 seconds
18
2.3%
5 seconds
443
55.4%
More than 1 cycle 279
34.9%
Total Reported
800
100%
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The students should anticipate using a second and third cycle to subdue
suspects. Although the data shows here that some officers were shutting off the unit before completion of
the first five second cycle, remind the students that they should let the ADVANCED TASER run the full
five second cycle in order to reduce the probability of a field failure. The purpose of this slide is to show
that most officers are following training and applying the full discharge – and that almost half of the

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 18

deployments required a second discharge to obtain compliance.
·

Slide 96: Video of deployment of multiple electrical discharges to subdue subject
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: This video, from the Yuma County Sheriffs, takes place at a domestic
disturbance. The wife is actually filming as the intoxicated husband attempts to assault the deputy, even
taunting the deputy to shoot him with his firearm. After the subject taunts the officer to “draw his gun and
shoot me,” the suspect states “then I’ll shoot you” and attempts to return inside the house, presumably to
retrieve a weapon. The deputy fires the ADVANCED TASER to safely subdue the subject averting a
potential lethal force confrontation. Note how the deputy leaves the wires attached to the subject,
allowing him to re-energize the cartridge when the subject attempts to get up to resume violent behavior.
By using verbal commands and re-activating the TASER, the deputy is able to maintain control for 30
minutes until backup arrives.

·

Slide 97 Aiming the M 26 (use dum m y cartridge)
·
Aim like a standard firearm at center of m ass.
·
Use sight and/or laser. Note: The top probe will im pact within 1 and 1/2 inch of laser dot.
·
Observe standard sidearm safety guidelines

·
·

Slide 98 Distance vs. Spread
Review 8-degree downward spread of bottom probe.
·
W hen fired, the top probe im pacts at point of aim . The bottom dart travels at an 8-degree angle
downward. The spread between probes increases the further you get from your target w ith the
probes separating one foot for every 7 feet they travel.
·
The wire is thin insulated wire (copper-clad steel) and can break easily. (Show how thin wire is).

Spread / Distance Chart
Distance To Target (feet)
Spread (inches)
·

2'
4"

5'
9"

7'
13"

10'
18"

15'
26"

21’
36”

Slide 99 Proper M arksmanship
·
Optim um shot for effective shooting is 12 to 18 feet from target. Minim um shot should be at least
3 feet for officer safety and sufficient probe spread.
·
Aim like standard sidearm .
·
Hold level - No “Antonio Banderras” unless subject is in a prone position.
·
Aim at center of m ass.
·
If possible, m aneuver to fire M26 at suspect’s back.
·
Clothing fits tighter
·
Surprise factor
·
Stronger m uscles -- even m ore overwhelm ing
·
No face, throat, or groin exposure
·
Deploy from cover and with lethal cover
INSTRUCTOR'S NO TE: If subject is shot while running, the officer must keep pace with the subject, as
the running momentum of the subject will break the TASER-W ires. (Officer's must run with the subject if
they are to utilize the unit against a running target similar to "walking a dog on a leash.") Also, subjects
shot at extreme range of 21 feet may fall and break the TASER-W ires. Therefore, shots should have
ample "slack" for the person to fall to the ground without breaking the wires. (If there are any Air
Cartridges w ith wires, pass the wire around the room and have the officers break the wires to
demonstrate how thin the copper clad insulated TASER-W ire is).

·

Slide 100 Field Results
Total num ber of reports:
Percent Successful:

1,645
94.59%
Successful

Not Successful

Percentage

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 19

Darts Fired at Subject:
Laser Only:
Spark Dem o
Stun Gun Application
·

957
238
35
246

Slide 101 Field Results
Problem
# of Incidents
Clothing
24
Low Nerve / Muscle
19
Miss
15
Single Dart
15
Unknown
10
Operator Error
6
Low Battery
5
W eapon Problem
5
Decided not to use
3
Dropped / Broken
3
Anim al Use
2
Cartridge Failure
2
Propped Up
2
Door Closed
1
TOTAL
112

63
3
1
21

93.8%
98.8%
97.2%
92.1%

Percentage
1.45%
1.15%
0.91%
0.91%
0.60%
0.36%
0.30%
0.30%
0.18%
0.18%
0.12%
0.12%
0.12%
0.06%
6.77%

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Note that the total percentage of failures (6.77%) is higher than the percentage
of unsuccessful uses (with a 94.59% success rate, the unsuccessful rate is only 5.4%). This is because
there may be multiple causes for a failure (i.e. low batteries and low m uscle mass hit). Hence there is
some double counting.
·

Slide 102 Field Results TASER and OC
Cases where both used:
OC Effective
TASER Effective
TASER Ineffective
OC Ineffective
TASER Effective
TASER Ineffective

182
55
14

30.0%
7.7%

94
19

51.6%
10.4%

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: This slide looks at cases where both the TASER and OC Spray were deployed
(182 cases total). Important point: note that the largest number of uses were where the TASER as
effective and OC was not (51.6%) versus only 7.7% where OC was effective and the TASER was not.
This slide illustrates that it’s important to have multiple tools in the toolbox.
·

Slide 103 Tactical Considerations
·
Prim ary Tactical Consideration is: loose or very thick clothing
·
Shoot where clothing fits m ore tightly
·
Clothing tends to fit tighter in rear
·
T-W ave can penetrate SOME soft body arm or, but not all
·
Maxim um clothing penetration is 2.25”. total, or 1.25” per probe
·
Skin penetration of the probes is not required because of the electrical T-W ave “jum p” through
clothing

·

Slide 104 Video Toronto SW AT Use
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Toronto SW AT deployed a M26 on a catatonic subject who had previously fired
a gun outside. The tactics are important. The M26 shot was from an arm ored vehicle and was aimed so

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 20

that the probes would not hit the thick jacket. The shooter was able to place the probes in the midsection
of the center of mass. The subject was apprehended without further incident and the gun was a starter’s
pistol.
·

Slide 105 Tactical Considerations
·
Use com m on sense
·
Good for enclosed environm ents / close quarters
·
Use to avert violent confrontation
·
The wires are lightly insulated and can break easily if stepped on or if a running target is hit without
allowing for extra slack

·

Slide 106 Tactical Considerations
·
A full 5-second cycle deploym ent should be given without interruption unless circum stances dictate
otherwise.
·
Each 5-second cycle is a “window of opportunity” for the arrest team to apprehend the subject and go
“hands on" during the 5-second cycle.
INSTRUCTO R’S NO TE: This recommendation is based upon testing by the RCMP in Canada. In
volunteer tests, combative volunteers recovered almost immediately from short one or two second bursts.
However, combative volunteers exposed to the full 5-second burst took longer to recover, appeared
fatigued, and w ere less apt to regain combative behavior. This reorientation of behavior and extended
recovery will enable officers to bring the situation under control more safely for both the officer and the
suspect.

·

Slide 107 Tactical Considerations: W indow of Opportunity
·
Could your arrest team cuff this subject?
·
W ill the officers be affected?
·
Is it quiet?

·

Slide 108 Tactical Considerations: W indow of Opportunity
·
Could your arrest team cuff this subject?
·
W ill the officers be affected?
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: In this instance, a suicidal man was threatening to jump off a bridge in Los
Angeles. LA Sheriff’s deputies lure him away from the edge to get a bottle or water. Once he is away
from the edge, they deploy the ADVANCED TASER. Note how he does NOT im m ediately fall to the
ground. He is stunned, and frozen in place. However, the deputies use physical force in conjunction with
the TASER to knock him down and bring him safely under control. This is a great example of planning
multiple uses of force, and not hesitating if the TASER does not immediately knock the subject down.
Use the TASER as part of an overall plan of action to ensure success.
The deputies involved were given the Los Angeles Sheriffs Award for Bravery. Also because of this
incident, TASER International, Inc. was awarded the Harry Benton Green Civilian Leadership Award.

·

Slide 109 Video Tactical: 5-second Cycle
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Esquimalt Police SW AT (BC, Canada) encounter a subject on methadone (fake
heroin) with two knives on a rooftop who took apart a chimney with his bare hands and threw them at
officers. SW AT members approached the house to distract the suspect and retreated while other SW AT
members got on the roof. The man begins to pass out and SW AT team members approach the subject
with lethal cover, remove one of the knives and deploy the M26. Have the students watch the 5-second
cycle. The officers make sure the subject is incapacitated and deliver a second 5-second cycle to flip the
man onto his stomach into an arresting position. The subject recovers without further incident.

·

Slide 110 Considerations
·
Nothing is ever 100% effective

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 21

·
·
·
·
·

W ill your tactic gain com pliance and avoid injury?
Use the 5-second “window of opportunity”
Always have lethal cover or another reasonable and appropriate force option available
Use cover and distance to ensure officer safety
W henever possible have at least one back up officer present as a closer to cuff suspect

·
·
·

Slide 111 Tactical Considerations
Consider environm ent surrounding suspect
Yell, “TASER! TASER!” / “less-lethal on scene” or “Code Zebra” prior to deploym ent to prevent
sym pathetic reflex shooting
If appropriate, allow display of arc or laser to gain com pliance
Use verbal com m ands if appropriate
Use com m and other than “Shoot!” (“Deploy!”)
Use 2nd 5-second cycle if suspect resists (M ultiple cycles may be required for arrest team
members to safely subdue the subject. Train the officers to anticipate this.)
W atch for change in subject’s behavior

·
·
·
·
·
·

Slide 112 Tactical Considerations
·
Deploy with 2nd Air Cartridge available or have a 2nd M26 nearby
·
Pockets are acceptable for temporary storage
·
If first shot fails/m isses:
·
Obtain cover to reload or resort to another tactic
·
If suspect charges, “C” step and use the touch stun m ode aggressively
·
If Air Cartridge is a “dud,” discard im m ediately, reload with new cartridge and reengage target.
·
Don’t attem pt to reuse a dud. Im m ediately notify TASER Int’l of serial num ber and return it!

·

Slide 113 W hat Can Go W rong?
·
Clothing over 2.25” thick
·
Single Dart Hit
·
Missed Shot
·
Low Batteries (or undercharged)
·
Operator Error
·
Low Nerve / Muscle Mass
·
Cartridge Failure / W eapon Malfunction
·
Suspect’s reaction / officer anticipation
·
Suspect “frozen” or propped up: appears unaffected
·
W ires break
·
Batteries put in wrong or undercharged
·
Aim ing angle - suspect’s position
·
Zipper shot
·
·

Slide 114 W hat Can Go W rong?
Low m uscle m ass hit:
·
A hit to a region of the body where there is low m uscle m ass m ay not knock the subject down,
i.e., a hit to the side torso between the arm pit and hip area will prim arily stim ulate the intercostal
m uscles of the rib cage. These m uscles m ay not be strong enough to cause the subject to loose
balance and fall down. However, it m ay im m obilize or "freeze" the suspect.
·
Hits from close range with lim ited spread m ay not effect enough m uscle m ass to drop suspect if
highly m otivated, EDP, or on narcotics.
·
If subject remains erect, recommend a shot w ith a second M 26 to another location while
continuing current from the initial hit.

INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Testing using combative volunteers by the RCMP in Regina, Canada found
highly focused individuals were able to fight through the effects of the ADVANCED TASER if the probes

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 22

were applied in the zone between the arm pit and hip. W hile the stimulation from the TASER caused
significant discomfort that would be highly effective on m ost subjects, the low muscle mass in this area
prevented full physical incapacitation. For exam ple, the muscles directly stimulated were primarily the
small stabilizing m uscles between the ribs. These muscles are small, and the contractions were not
severe enough to cause the subject to go to the ground. Accordingly, if possible, avoid shooting subjects
in the side torso area. If you hit a subject in this area and they do not immediately go down, they still may
be immobilized. Continue to apply the current if the subject has stopped moving. If possible, deploy a
second M26 on the subject to increase the affect. Aim at a different location on the body.

PREPARE FOR THE WORST: WHAT CAN GO WRONG?
CASE EXAMPLE:
M26 STOPS VIOLENT EDP FROM GRABBING KNIFE DESPITE NOT
KNOCKING WOMAN DOWN
USE OF THE M 26 BY FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT., OH, 8/31/00:
A stout, 185-200 lb., 45-yr-old, fem ale subject was served a warrant for transport to a m ental health facility.
W hen deputies were in the apt. to put her in custody, she suddenly turned very violent and officers attem pted
physical force to restrain her. She threw 2 officers against the wall. She broke away from 2 officers and ran
to the kitchen area. She then attem pted to grab a kitchen knife. The officers backed off and sprayed the
wom en with pepper spray. She laughed. She continued to go for the knife. An officer fired a M26 from 3-7
feet away at her while she was turning to get the knife from a drawer. One probe hit near her left side and the
other near her left hip area. The spread was 6-8" apart and both probes had penetrated through clothing and
into skin. During the 1st 5-second cycle she did not go down and she said, "Turn that dam n thing off”, and
she was not subdued.
W hen the cycle ended she tried to pull out one of the probes while reaching for a knife with her other hand. A
2nd 5-second burst was applied at which tim e she went to her knees and she was handcuffed. The M26
shooter stated that the wom an trem bled with m inor pulsing and clinched her hands during the cycles. The
wom an was given verbal com m ands to get down. The 2nd cycle stopped her from getting to the knife. After
the 2nd cycle she then com plied with the officers’ com m ands, but was not knocked to the ground by the M26.
Rick Sm ith & Steve Tuttle interviewed Sgt. Gene W ise (scene supervisor), the M26 shooter, and briefly with
the Chief.
The supervisor had concern that the wom an didn't go down to the deck. Toward the end of the 2nd cycle, the
M26 shooter said the wom an becam e m ore com pliant. The supervisor inquired what m ight have happened.
Note the Duracell Ultras were new out of the package on Aug 30th w/ exp. of 2006. There were trace
am ounts of blood on the probes upon inspection. The M26 shooter said the arcing "seem ed kind of loud."
However, it still sounds like there was a good connection. The probes m ay have hit the area identified by the
RCMP’s testing as a weak point for m uscle contraction -- the side torso area between hip and arm pit. RCMP
testing on hum an volunteers has found that hits in this area are highly uncom fortable, but this area is
characterized by lack of m ajor m uscle groups. Hence there is insufficient m uscle contraction to drop a
focused com batant hit in this area. The M26 shooter and supervisor confirm ed that the probes were close to
that area.
Tactically, TASER Int’l and officers couldn't see any problem s given the nature of a sm all room , chaos, a
potentially lethal situation, and officers who were doing all the right things. TASER Int’l could only suggest
shooting at the back (im possible at that tim e) and shooting to get m ore spread (im possible because of space
restrictions) and having a 2nd M26 used (im possible, as they didn't have a 2nd one).
Note: Results of this deploym ent included one deputy being disabled by pepper spray and the wom an had
two sm all puncture wounds. Officer’s com m ent: At the m ental facility the subject was asked if she had a bad
day. She told the doctor her day wasn't so bad and that she had been having fun all day. Overall, the use
was considered a success in that the M26 stopped her from getting to the knife and obtained com pliance
without the need to escalate to the next level of force.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 23

·

Slide 115 Video Planning for Contingencies
·
W hen faced with thick clothing, or clothing which is bunching away from the body, shot placem ent is
m ore critical. Aim for areas where the clothing fits tighter.
·
Low Muscle Mass: Although we train to aim at center of m ass, this m ay not always be the m ost
effective target area if you are firing from very close range. W hen firing from the recom m ended
distance of 12-18 feet, the top probe would hit the center of the chest while the bottom probe would
hit below the belt line in the stabilizing m uscles of the thigh, groin, and leg. However, when firing
from close range (as is sim ulated in this exam ple where the probes are placed under the nipple and
above the belt line) the TASER m ay not directly stim ulate the large m uscles of the legs or back. As
shown in the video, a highly focused individual m ay be able to rem ain erect and even continue to
attack even under a direct hit to the center torso. W hile the TASER clearly causes a lock-up of his
abdom inal m uscles, the target here is able to advance forward. Here are several tactics to review
again with the class to m axim ize effectiveness of M26 deploym ents:
·
Against high-risk subjects, simultaneously deploy 2 ADVANCED TASERs aim ed at different
areas of the body. As shown in the video, a hit from two ADVANCED TASERs is safe. In cases
involving edged weapons and other high-risk subjects, the redundancy and increased
effectiveness of a dual hit is recom m ended. This will help reduce the risk of a failure that could
result in lethal force escalation.
·
W hen possible, aim at the back. As shown in the video, a hit in the larger back m uscles is m ore
im m obilizing. W hile the subject here was able to rem ain erect during a full abdom inal
contraction, when hit in the back the larger m uscles in his back overpowered his ability to rem ain
erect.
·
If deploying from very close ranges (closer than 8 feet), consider low ering your point of
aim to the lower abdom en. This would cause the lower dart to hit in the thigh, groin, or the
stabilizing m uscles in the pelvic region to help ensure the target is dropped to the ground. (From
closer ranges a center m ass hit m ay only affect the abdom inal m uscles – especially when dealing
with EDPs or intoxicated persons where the sensory effects will be num bed and the m otor /
m uscular effects are m ore critical).
·
Be prepared that the subject may not drop to the ground immediately. Be prepared to
deliver m ore than one cycle from the TASER, and be prepared to use strikes, im pact weapons,
and other uses of force in conjunction with the TASER to gain com pliance. For exam ple, in one
recent field use an officer deployed the ADVANCED TASER M26 from a distance of 6 feet at
center of the chest. The subject was debilitated, but was able to turn around and m ove away,
causing the wires to break. The officer reloaded the M26 and again deployed at the target from 6
feet away at the center of the chest. W hile the unit was cycling, a second officer fired over the
shoulder of the first officer, striking the subject in the center of the chest with a second M26 at the
sam e tim e. The subject bent over, but did not drop im m ediately. The officers deployed two m ore
five-second bursts from both M26’s, slowly forcing the subject to the ground and finally gaining
com pliance. Don’t expect that every subject will im m ediately fall down. Many of the subjects will,
but be prepared for contingencies when they don’t.

·

Slide 116 M URPHY’S LAW : A case in what can go wrong -- BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING!
·
Septem ber 2000: An adult m ale was arrested for im paired driving. This individual had an extensive
crim inal record and had been involved in several violent physical encounters with the police in the
previous six m onths. W hile being transported back to the police detachm ent building for the
purposes of providing a breath sam ple, the suspect becam e increasingly agitated; he uttered several
death treats to the officer.
Shortly after arriving at the detachm ent, the suspect refused to provide an adequate breath sam ple
and once again becam e agitated. He turned to face the three officers that were present, raised his
fists, and challenged them “to go”. Given the suspect’s com bative posture and his previous history of
violence, the one officer carrying the ADVANCED TASER drew the device and issued the TASER
Challenge.
W hen the suspect continued his com bative behavior, the ADVANCED TASER was fired from

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 24

approxim ately 3.5 m eters (12 feet). The suspect was wearing a sweatshirt along with a hooded
kangaroo jacket m ade of sim ilar weight sweatshirt fabric. The upper probe struck the suspect in the
chest and em bedded in this clothing (skin not pierced). The lower probe struck the tip of the
drawstring and em bedded in the plastic tip.
Based on an interview with the suspect 12 hours after the incident, it appears that he received som e
transient conducted energy current from the first cartridge. This is m ost likely attributable to the fact
that the distance between the lower probe and the subject’s body varied with his m ovem ents that
caused the drawstring to random ly swing. W hen the probe was in close proxim ity to the subject’s
body the current would arc across the air gap; when that distance increased, the current ceased to
flow. The suspect was able to rip the upper probe from his clothing and the probe em bedded in the
drawstring and through them to the ground.
The TASER operator quickly loaded a second cartridge and fired without the issuance of the TASER
Challenge. This tim e the upper probe struck the subject in the left upper chest and penetrated both
layers of clothing and em bedded in his skin. The lower probe struck the subject in the kangaroo
pocket. At this point the subject effectively had three layers of sweatshirt m aterial. Inside this pocket
the subject was carrying a plastic wallet containing his insurance docum ents. The m anner in which
the wallet was folded created another barrier of eight layers of plastic between the subject’s skin and
the probe.
Two full cycles (10 seconds) of conducted energy were delivered with the second cartridge. The
suspect rem ained on his feet but did not advance toward the officers. The officers’ perception was
that the suspect m aintained physical control and was able to m ove while the current was being
adm inistered. In the post incident interview, the suspect stated that he was “frozen” by the current
and was unable to m ove or fall. It is unknown if the plastic folder created a barrier that m ay have
reduced the current flow.
The bottom probe eventually dislodged from the clothing and fell off at the end of the second cycle.
The suspect com plied with the officer’s directions and entered into the assigned cell. The cover
officer at this point had brought out OC spray and was about to use it on the suspect; he believed this
had reoriented the subject’s behavior. The suspect later stated that he entered the cell willingly
because he did not want to undergo further exposure to the TASER current.
·

·

Teaching Points:
·
Expect the unexpected. No device or technique will work 100% for all officers, 100% of the tim e,
on 100% of the people. W hat are the odds of hitting the drawstring? This highly unlikely event
did occur in this real life situation and essentially lim ited the effectiveness of the TASER. Be
prepared to transition to another cartridge quickly or another intervention option (i.e.: OC spray,
ASP Ò , knees/elbows, etc.).
·
Consider alternative target selection (i.e.: legs) if you do not get the desired results. During
winter m onths you will encounter subjects with increased clothing barriers. Although the center
m ass (frontal or dorsal) will rem ain the prim ary target. If this is not successful, consider other
options.
·
Do not assum e that because a subject does not im m ediately fall to the ground that he/she is not
being affected by the conducted energy current. If tim e and distance perm it, and the threat level
has not increased, continue to apply the TASER current as necessary while providing verbal
direction to the suspect. For exam ple, “Lay down or I will hit you with 50,000 volts again.”

Slide 117 The Decision to Deploy
·
ONLY USE TO STO P A THR EAT. The ADVANCED TASER should only be used to stop a threat.
This would include threats to the officer's safety, threats to others, or even if the suspect is posing a
threat of injuring him self. It should never be used for coercion of any type. The ADVANCED TASER
gives you a non-injurious way of averting dangerous situations.
·
NEVER USE FOR PHYSICAL COERCIONS. The departm ent should develop strong policies to deter
m isuse.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 25

·
·

W arn suspect prior to M 26 application w hen feasible in light of Deorie v Rutherford (9 th Circuit,
2001).
Attem pts to subdue the suspect with lesser force options have been ineffective or will likely be
ineffective in the situation. Discussion.

INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: The main point to realize when talking about the actual deployment and use of
the ADVANCED TASER is that it is not a substitute for common sense and good judgment. However, it
can be an excellent tool to augment other options already in place in your use of force continuum. The
ADVANCED TASER is not a cure all for all violent offenders nor should it be used in all circumstances.
It is absolutely imperative to understand that deployment of the ADVANCED TASER unit must be backed
up with the availability of lethal force. The ADVANCED TASER is not a substitute for lethal force. It is an
alternative to other less-lethal applications of force. It should be considered as an option in cases where
other less-lethal uses of force are being considered.
The ADVANCED TASER can be best utilized in situations where a hostile or potentially hostile individual
is threatening himself or another person. It is a great tool to use as an alternative to a hands on fight or
“wrestling match” that can result in injuries to officers as well as suspects. The ADVANCED TASER is
likely to have m ore of an incapacitating effect on most individuals compared to chemical agents. The
ADVANCED TASER is not a foolproof weapon. W hen used within the design param eters of the device,
the ADVANCED TASER is a very effective, less-lethal, control device. Admittedly, the window of
operation of the ADVANCED TASER is restricted to 3-21 feet, but on the other hand it could be very
useful in an environment in which deploying of a less-lethal munitions is impossible. The ADVANCED
TASER can fill the gap between less-lethal munitions and hands on control techniques.
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The Ninth Circuit 242 F3d 1119, ___ and n. 19 rule could arguably apply to any
use of projectiles, stun guns, OC spray, K-9, baton, choke holds, and even fists and feet, as well as any
tactical devices likely to cause serious injury. Because the rule applies where giving a warning is
“feasible,” reports on use of such force employed without a warning should document the reasons why it
was not feasible to do so. Force policies and training m ay need review and updating, in light of the
Deorie ruling. Per Manning & Marder, Attorneys of Law, in April 13, 2001, Law Enforcement Information
Update.
·

Slide 118 Effects of M 26
·
Subject m ay fall im m ediately to the ground
·
Yell or scream
·
Experience involuntary m uscle contractions
·
Subject m ay freeze in place with legs “locked”
·
Arrest team needs to close, subdue, and cuff as soon as the subject is incapacitated
·
Subject m ay feel dazed for several seconds to m inutes
·
Tem porary tingling sensation
·
May experience Critical Stress Am nesia
·
May not rem em ber any pain

·

Slide 119 Effects of M 26: Volunteer Subject Reactions

·

Slide 120 Effects of M 26: Volunteer Subject Reactions

·

Slide 121 Effects of M 26: Volunteer Subject Reactions

·

Slide 122 Video Subject Reaction
·
Longm ont SW AT approached a very violent subject who had a cell phone in his hand. The subject is
shot by the M 26. The students should closely watch the reaction of the subject shot. At first, it
appears to have little effect. Note, a SW AT officer touches him during the cycle and he im m ediately
falls to the ground. The video dem onstrates that som e people lock up or appear to be fighting the
effects of the M 26. Instead, the officers on scene com m ented that the subject was actually

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 26

scream ing and was com pletely incapacitated.
·

Slide 123 W hat ADVANCED TASER M ight do
·
Might cause slight signature m arks that resem ble surface burns -- appear red or m ay blister
·
If placed in direct contact with a pacem aker, could m om entarily affect it without health
endangerm ent
·
Can cause eye injury if shot too high
·
Causes m uscle contractions
·
Can work in wet environm ent such as wet floor or spilled coffee without fear of electrocution (TASER
is splash resistant (not waterproof) do not im m erse)
·
Can cause secondary injuries from person falling
·
(possible issue for pregnant wom en)
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Commercial high explosives almost always require a sudden shock (such as a
blasting cap) to start the explosion. They are made this way because far too many people were killed in
accidental explosions when they were using the earlier sensitive explosives. Commercial high explosives
will detonate (explode) between 3,300 feet per second and 30,000 feet per second. If they explode
(deflagrate) below 3,300 feet per second, then they are called low explosives. Low explosives usually do
not require a blasting cap because they explode by burning very fast. Low explosives (fireworks and
gunpowder) are more dangerous and cause more injuries than high explosives because low explosives
are sensitive to heat, friction, static electricity, and shock. Home made explosives can be high or low
explosives but they are usually sensitive to heat, friction, static electricity and shock.

·

Slide 124 W hat ADVANCED TASER M ight do
·
Could ignite gas fum es, m etham phetam ine labs, or other flam m able or com bustible environm ents

·

Slide 125 W hat ADVANCED TASER W on’t Do
·
Tests did not ignite blasting caps and Kinepak explosives. (C-4 Insensitive to im pact and
friction. Requires an explosion or prim er)
·
Does not dam age nervous tissue
·
Does not cause serious burns
·
No reports of a TASER causing death
·
Electrical output not harm ful to fetuses (but the fall could harm m other)
·
Does not cause urination or defecation
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: W ater does not affect the output of the TASERs or cause electrocution. The
amount of energy out of the weapon is determined inside the weapon, regardless of target conditions.
The batteries of the M26 are already operating at full output capacity. If the target is wet, there is no
increase in power output as the M26 is already at maximum power. The president of TASER Int’l was
shot with the AIR TASER while standing in a pool of water to prove this effect. The weapon is safe to use
in light rain or wet conditions as long as the ADVANCED TASER or the front of the Air Cartridge is not
drenched in water and the dataport plug is in place.
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: As for the splash resistance, one of the weak points to the weapon is the
dataport plug. If the rubber stopper is removed, liquid spills could get into the M26 while holstered. Also,
note that there is a hole on the laser sight that water could get into. If the M26 is soaked, do not turn the
M26 on -- let it air dry completely before turning it on. If dataport plug is lost, please contact TASER Int'l
and get it replaced immediately (no charge).

·

Slide 126 What to do follow ing use
·
Arrest team can touch and handcuff subject while M26 is active
o Do not touch probes or wires
o Do not step on wires
·
Shooter should anticipate a second or third application
·
Apprehend suspect as quickly as possible while the threat is disabled

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 27

·
·

Take photos of any injuries & place into evidence
Collect expended cartridge & place into evidence

·

Slide 127 Sample Treatment Policy
·
THIS IS A SAM PLE, REFER TO YOUR DEPARTM ENT POLICY AS THESE W ILL VARY
·
Once in custody, advise Param edics or ER staff at hospital
·
Rem ove / break wire near probes – dispose of probes and wire properly
·
Point out puncture sites, as needed
·
Only ER staff to rem ove probes em bedded in sensitive tissue areas, i.e., neck, face & groin
·
Rem oval from other areas discretion of on scene supervisor -- see dept. policy
·
Exercise additional care in rem oval of XP penetration probes

·

Slide 128 Handling Used Cartridges
·
Probes that have penetrated the body should be treated as contam inated needles (use gloves)
·
Probes can be rem oved by grabbing the probe firm ly while applying pressure to the skin surrounding
the probe and pulling out in a quick fashion. Follow with alcohol or iodine swipe.
·
Carefully place probes sharp-tip first into either a sharps container or into the cartridge side wire
pocket container sharp end down, secure in place, and place in a secure location where no one will
accidentally touch probes (even after training exercises).

·

Slide 129 Video Single Probe Hits/Probe Rem oval
·
Single probe hits m ay be effective, depending on the environm ent. The electric current is m erely
attem pting to com plete the circuit from the positive probe to the negative probe. If the suspect is
standing on a conductive or grounded terrain, this m ay allow the current to pass through the ground,
through the suspect’s body to com plete the circuit. This is especially true in wet environm ents – the
ADVANCED TASER should work great with a single probe hit in a wet area. However, note that the
single probe hit is not effective on insulated surface such as the asphalt shown here, or on carpet.
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: Notice during the outdoor application on grass, the charge transfers to one of
the spotters. Ask your class why this would occur. The answer: when one probe is in the subject and
the other one is on the ground, the energy must transfer through the suspect, through the ground to the
other probe. If you are standing on the ground and touch the suspect, you may become a part of the path
of least resistance. (i.e. the current m ay prefer to flow through your body to the ground, especially if you
are standing closer to the grounded probe than the subject is).
·

The preferred m ethod to rem ove the probe from tissue is to stabilize the flesh with one hand, firm ly
and quickly pull the probe free. Special m edical procedures will be required for sensitive areas such
as the eyes, groin, breast, etc.

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The person removing the probe should have placed the probe between his
thumb and forefinger and not his forefinger and middle finger. There is more of a gap between the thumb
and forefinger with less chance of the probe hook catching the skin of the hand removing the probe.
·

Slide 130 Effects on Animals
·
The ADVANCED TASER has not been fully tested for effectiveness on anim als. However, it is an
option for dealing with aggressive anim als. It has generally been very successful in field uses with
anim als.
·
Note: the anim als hit thus far have been incapacitated and or stunned but recovered instantly. All
but one of the anim als quickly left the scene and broke the wires.
·
If the dogs are stunned, anim al control should stand by to put dog collar on stunned dogs.
·
·
·

Slide 131 Animals
Pit bull shot by M26. Anim al control officer slipped the dog collar on the pit bull during 5-second
cycle.
“Kicks, baton, and OC were ineffective. Pit bull was attacking police K-9, biting the throat. M26 was

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 28

deployed to prevent potential death of K-9.”
·

Slide 132 ADVANCED TASER Strengths
·
Unlike chem ical agents, the entire body is effective target zone. DO NOT AIM AT HEAD/THROAT
UNLESS A HIGHER DEGREE OF INJURY IS JUSTIFIED.
·
Easy to use and low m aintenance
·
Can penetrate through 2.25 cum ulative inches of clothing, including leather & SOME soft body arm or
(m ixed results with vests)
·
High deterrence of spark and laser
·
W orks against suspects on drugs and alcohol

·

Slide 133 Dataport, Battery Recharger and M aintenance

·

Slide 134 W eapon M anagement Technologies: AFID
·
Purpose: to prevent abuse and protect officers from unfounded allegations through solid
docum entation of usage.
·
AFID (Anti-Felon Identification): every tim e an Air Cartridge is fired, it disperses 20-30 identification
tags called AFIDs. These tags are printed with the serial num ber of the cartridge and can be used to
determ ine who fired the cartridge. Officers should be aware this system allows the departm ent to
trace users who are not following departm ent policy and are using the ADVANCED TASER
inappropriately.

·

Slide 135 W eapon M anagement Technologies: Dataport
Dataport: the dataport connects the M26 to a com puter. The M26 stores the tim e and date of the last
585 tim es it was fired. By downloading this data, the departm ent can m onitor usage patterns. Every
officer who is issued a M26 m ust be able to account for every firing of the unit. The concept is to protect
officers from false allegations of m isuse by proving exactly how m any tim es and when the unit was
discharged. The rubber stopper should be kept in the M26 dataport at all tim es to protect against water
and dirt contam ination. The dataport can also allow the unit to be rem otely fired by tactical robots.
·
·
·
·
·

Stores tim e and date of each firing (last 585)
Protects officers from unfounded allegations
Officers accountable for use
Rubber stopper m ust be in when dataport not in use!
Allows rem ote firing from robots

·

Slide 136 Dataport
·
Hardware and software are an accessory
·
W indows ® 95, 98, 2000 & NT com patible
·
Power source is separate internal battery
·
Records tim e and date of each last 585 “trigger pulls” -- not the duration of activation
·
The oldest data is deleted as new data com es is recorded (first in / first out)
·
Default is Greenwich m ean tim e until set to local date and tim e

·

Slide 137 Dataport Cables
Photo of the actual cables for the dataport accessory. The tan cord connects to a com puter 910 serial
port. The blue cord connects to the dataport of the M26. The blue box is the RS234 interface converting
digital inform ation to analog inform ation. There is also a software package that com es on a 3.5” floppy
disc.

·

Slide 138 Dataport Dow nload
This is a sam ple of the first page of the downloaded info from a M26. The inform ation shows Lines 1 –
18. To see further firing records scroll down. Rem em ber that firing record num ber 586 will actually be
replacing firing record num ber 1. The firings are listed by date, hour and second. T he M 26 can show up

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 29

to 585 lines of inform ation of firings. The M26’s internal clock can be checked or changed to the local
tim e here as well.
·

Slide 139 Battery Recharger
TASER International m anufactures a charging system and TASER certified NiMH rechargeable batteries.
There are 3 indicator lights on the front of the charger: Yellow indicates power is connected to the
charger, Red indicates batteries are charging, and Green indicates the batteries are fully charged.
IM PORTANT POINT: The first tim e batteries are used, they m ust be conditioned. To condition batteries,
place them in the charger until the green light com es on. Rem ove for five seconds, then place in charger
again until the green light com es on. Repeat for a total of three tim es. By charging the batteries three
tim es, it ensures they will be charged to m axim um capacity. This conditioning should be repeated every
6 m onths.

·

·

Slide 140 Battery Recharger
Batteries can be charged directly through dataport or on base unit.
sim ultaneously.

Both will charge, but not

Slide 141 Battery Recharger
·
Charger is a “sm art charger” and provides charge based upon battery requirem ents
·
The charger only trickle charges after green light to prevent overcharging
o Rem ove batteries when charged
·
The batteries in the M26 charge first, then batteries in the base
·
Recharge NiMH batteries every two weeks
·
Replace dataport plug when com plete
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·

Slide 142 M aintenance/Care
Avoid dropping - sensitive, electronic device -- sim ilar care of a cell phone
Check batteries regularly
Check expiration of Air Cartridges
Keep rubber stopper in Dataport in field use
Use only authorized NiMH rechargeable or authorized alkaline AA batteries
Secure when not in use
Keep in protective holster, when not in use
DO NOT STORE IN POCKETS
Periodically wipe away dirt and dust from the firing bay

·

Slide 143 DO NOT OVERHEAT THE TASER
·
The ADVANCED TASER generates a trem endous am ount of power, and hence will also generate a
considerable am ount of heat internally. In order to prevent overheating, do not run the weapon m ore
than 10 of the 5-second cycles every ten m inutes. This applies prim arily to training, obviously in the
field you can discharge as m any bursts as are needed in any given situation.
·
Rule of Thum b: W hen you are training a large group, m ake sure to have enough ADVANCED
TASERs on hand to rotate them to allow for cooling tim e during the practical firing drills.

·

Slide 144 M aintenance / Care
·
Exam ple of carbon build up in M26 firing bay
·
Occasionally wipe out the Air Cartridge firing bay with dry cloth.
carbon build-up (particularly after training courses)

Multiple cartridge firings create

INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: The carbon comes from the primer in the Air Cartridge. It takes about 50 or
more actual firings to get carbon build-up. Carbon just needs to wiped out with a dry cloth – not wet cloth.
The carbon is conductive and should be removed.
·

Slide 145 Targets

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 30

·

The targets will burn out after m ultiple shots. You can observe the m etal on the target is worn off at
the white separation spaces on the target. Once enough m etal has been worn away, the current can
no longer pass through the target. Hence, the wires will begin to short out as they have exceeded
their m axim um rating. This is NOT a problem in the field – if the probes are within 2.5” of the target’s
body, the electricity will arc to the subject. The only tim e you will see a wire arcing is if the energy
could not penetrate the clothing. However, due to the nature of the targets, they can wear out. Make
sure the students understand that if they see the wires arcing, it’s not a cartridge failure, but rather a
worn out target.

·
·

Slide 146 Review
Reduces officer AND suspect injuries
o Dropped deputy injuries 80% in FL
Reduces liability and legal costs
o LASD: Could have saved $2,500,000
“Clean” solution (close quarters)
Selective Targeting
Deploy w ith First Responder Patrol Officers
Electricity (+ Laser) = Deterrence
Low cost per use

·
·
·
·
·
·

·
Slide 147
Im provisation video. In this video, the Alaska State Troopers encounter a suicidal m an parked in his car. He
has a knife, which he periodically holds to his own throat. Troopers used a window punch to knock out the
window, followed im m ediately by a TASER shot. The subject was im m obilized, disarm ed, and arrested
without injury (except for m inor cuts from the broken glass).
·
·

Slide 148
Can injuries and force decrease?
·
Statistics com piled at Orange County, FL Sheriff’s Dept prove that deploying the ADVANCED
TASER can greatly reduce injuries and force used. O CSD has a heavy deploym ent of
ADVANCED TASERs that have proven greatly successful in real world situations. Many
departm ents site studies such as this in order to adopt the TASER technology.

·
·

Slide 149
Answer any rem aining questions.

·

Slide 150
·
Conclusion and test
·
TASER is a publicly traded com pany on the Nasdaq Exchange under sym bol: TASR and TASRW .
Made in Scottsdale, AZ USA.

·

Slide 151 Video
·
CHI Close Quarter Com bat: The Hans Marrero CQB Academ y. TASER International also offers
advanced CQB training through our Chief Instructor GySgt (Ret.) Hans Marrero, USMC. His CHI
school of com bative tactics uses the sam e principles GySgt Marrero em ployed in teaching CQ B at
the U.S. Marine Corps. His system greatly im proves officer survival capabilities while im parting skills
that enable the officer to quickly, and effectively control suspects with physical force with the
m inim um injury possible. More inform ation on the CHI school of CQB, see www.PoliceCQB.com .

SEGMENT CONCLUSION
The ADVANCED T ASER can be effective in m any circum stances we encounter. Like all other use of force
issues, it should not be totally relied upon with the exclusion of all other options. But it can be a powerful and
very effective tool to keep everyone safer.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 31

INSTRUCTOR'S NOTE: Emphasize that Conducted Energy W eapons are not toys, and their use should not
be taken lightly. As with any weapon system, there can be unforeseen and severe consequences. They
should only be used in accordance with the use of force policies of the department. Although TASER
International agrees with the definition on non-lethal weapons from the Joint Concept for Non-lethal
W eapons, the Company has adopted the term less-lethal in conjunction with input from law enforcement in
order to clarify that there will always be risk involved in use of force.

CLOSING STATEMENT
"The most important decision an officer can make is whether or not to engage deadly force upon a
person. W ith the new remarkable advances in technology w e can now serve and protect people and
com munities w ith less than lethal means. Now w e have the technology to stop that individual w ho is
combat trained, mentally deranged, or under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”

Outline Questions
These questions are intended primarily for use in the instructors’ course.

1. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person threatening himself with a firearm?
The ADVANCED T ASER can certainly be deployed in this circum stance; however, it is m andatory to have
lethal cover in place. Rem em ber that the ideal range for deploym ent of the ADVANCED TASER is 12-18 feet
with a m axim um of 21 feet. This is too close to be relied on and it is poor tactical judgm ent to confront an
arm ed person at that range without lethal force being im m ediately present. It is not recom m ended that
officers place them selves in a position to use the ADVANCED TASER when confronting an arm ed person.
2. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person threatening another person with a firearm?
As stated in the previous scenario, the ADVANCED TASER could be effective in this case -- perhaps even
m ore so. Rem em ber that when the arm ed individual is present, lethal force m ust be present to counteract
that threat. In a “hostage” situation suggested here, the ADVANCED T ASER could be used as a less-lethal
option. The suspect could be disarm ed by the use of the ADVANCED TASER but not without certain officer
safety considerations. It is not recom m ended that the ADVANCED TASER be used in this circum stance.
3. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person armed with an edged weapon?
This situation m ay be m ore suited to the deploym ent of the ADVANCED T ASER. If an officer can discharge
the ADVANCED T ASER from a position of cover, inside the effective range of the unit, this m aybe a m ethod
of diffusion with the m inim um force necessary. Rem em ber this situation dem ands that lethal force/lethal
cover is present before confronting a suspect. Rem em ber the “21 foot” rule for confronting suspects arm ed
with edged weapons.
4. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person armed with a broken bottle?
If we treat a suspect arm ed with a bottle in the sam e m anner as one arm ed with an edged weapon, the
answer is yes, with the proper officer safety m easures. This situation is likely to be less threatening than
confronting a person with a handgun, due caution needs to be applied.
5. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
The ADVANCED TASER can be used in this circum stance without fear of perm anent injury to the suspect.
ADVANCED TASER will, in m ost cases, be m ore effective on an unruly or defiant suspect than m ore
traditional chem ical agents and hands on control techniques.
6. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person holding a hostage adult or child?

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 32

The ADVANCED TASER can be very useful in this circum stance. Rem em ber that the electrical charge felt
by the suspect is not transferred to another person sim ply by body to body contact. It is im portant to note
however that if you place your hand or any other part of your body on the suspect’s body, in an area between
the two probes, while the unit is activated, you m ay receive a com parable charge.
7. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person outdoors in a wet environment?
As dem onstrated in the training video, the ADVANCED TASER can be safely deployed in a wet environm ent.
The m anufacturer deployed the unit on a person who was standing in a one-foot deep swim m ing pool with no
adverse effects. Rem em ber, if both probes do not com e into contact with the suspect, perform ance of the
unit will be effected. If one probe lands directly in a wet environm ent surrounding the suspect, the charge can
also effect the im m ediate terrain around the suspect.
8. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person that has been exposed to flammable liquids?
W e have encountered individuals in the past that have been in enclosures that have been saturated with
gasoline and gasoline fum es. It is scientifically possible that the sparking action of the deployed ADVANCED
TASER unit could ignite gasoline fum es and other flam m able or com bustible environm ents like m eth labs.
Therefore, the ADVANCED TASER will not be deployed in this circum stance.
9. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person that has been exposed to pepper spray?
You m ust know whether you departm ent uses pepper spray or chem ical sprays that are alcohol based versus
non-alcohol based. If the spray is alcohol based, then the ADVANCED TASER should not be used. If the
spray is non-alcohol based, it is not a flam m able substance. It is not com bustible by electrical charges
generated by the ADVANCED TASER unit. The ADVANCED TASER can be safely used in this application
and m aybe the next logical step in the use of force after chem ical agents have failed. However, you m ust
m ake sure the chem ical agent used is not alcohol based. A good safety check is to deploy the spray against
a paper grocery sack in a fire safe environm ent with fire extinguishers handy. Saturate the bag with the
spray. Fire an Air Cartridge from a safe distance away and determ ine if the bag catches fire. Also, request
the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from the m anufacturer of the spray and check for alcohol or isopropyl
alcohol as a carrier or ingredient to ensure non-flam m ability.
10. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person exposed to water i.e.: wet clothing?
The unit can be used safely and wet clothing will not m agnify the intensity of the current generated.
11. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a person that is fleeing from officers?
ADVANCED TASER is a less-lethal m unition. It can be deployed in any circum stance that other uses of
force, such as hands on techniques, chem ical agents, or less-lethal m unitions (beanbag) can be used. The
answer to this question is yes, but the officer needs to run with the subject or the wires will be stretched
beyond 21 feet as the person flees or falls.
12. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on when other munitions/techniques have failed?
This unit is intended to be another tool in your toolbox of m eans and m ethods to stop and control violent and
potentially violent persons. As in your prior training with other uses of force, we will use the force necessary
to counteract the threat. If this device hasn’t been deployed and it is available, it is within the scope of your
force continuum to deploy it.
13. Should the ADVANCED TASER be deployed on persons that have only refused to submit to arrest
and have not violently resisted arrest?
Again, com m on sense and evaluation of the scenario will dictate if the use of the device is advisable. The
suspect will sustain no perm anent injury, if the unit is used properly. It is likely to be better to rem ove the

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 33

possibility of injury to both suspect and officers by deploying the ADVANCED TASER, as opposed to getting
involved in a physical m elee with the offender.
14. Should the ADVANCED TASER be used on a pregnant female or elderly person?
It is not advisable to deploy the AIR TASER or ADVANCED TASER in these circum stances unless all other
m eans short of lethal force have been used. There are som e increased m edical ram ifications for persons in
these conditions that should preclude the use of this device from a practical and liability perspective.
15. Should I carry the ADVANCED TASER or Air Cartridges in a pocket?
No. The ADVANCED TASER and Air Cartridges should only be carried in holsters or cases designed to
properly protect the units during transportation unless for tem porary storage only.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 34

ADVANCED TASER ® M26 Pre-Deployment Checklist
____

Develop Department Deployment Policy
An exam ple policy is included on the T ASER International CD-ROM. W hile this policy m ay be used
to form the basis of your departm ent policy, departm ent m anagem ent should ratify and m odify the
policy for your departm ent's specific requirem ents.

____

Develop Use of Force Guidelines
An exam ple policy is included on the T ASER International CD-ROM. W hile this policy m ay be used
to form the basis of your departm ent policy, departm ent m anagem ent should ratify and m odify the
policy for your departm ent's specific requirem ents.

____

Develop Supervisory ADVANCED TASER Use Report
An exam ple report is included on the T ASER International CD-ROM. W hile this report m ay be used
to form the basis of your departm ent policy, departm ent m anagem ent should ratify and m odify the
policy for your departm ent's specific requirem ents.

____

Brief Relevant Com munity Services
It is recom m ended to notify relevant interest groups in the com m unity prior to or concurrent with
ADVANCED TASER deploym ent. The following com m unity groups should be considered:
·
·
·
·

Fire Battalion Chief
EMTs
Local Hospital Staff
Media

TASER International, Inc. personnel are available to assist in m edia relations. Media education prior
to deploym ent will serve the departm ent best by ensuring m ore accurate understanding of the
ADVANCED TASER and the reasons for its deploym ent. Further, media education provides an
opportunity to educate the public about the steps the department has undertaken to reduce
liability and injuries to both officers and suspects.
____

Establish File for ADVANCED TASER Certifications
All officers m ust pass certification course prior to deploym ent of ADVANCED TASER. Signed
certification tests m ust be kept on file for all officers using the ADVANCED TASER. All certified
officers should receive printed copies of the following docum ents at tim e of certification:
·
·
·

____

Departm ent Deploym ent Policy
Use of Force Guidelines
Supervisory ADVANCED TASER Use Report

Establish File for ADVANCED TASER Use Reports
Every use of the TASER technology should be docum ented using the departm ent's established
report (as m odeled in the training m anual). Part of the filing procedure should be to go online to the
TASER Int'l website (www.TASER.com ) and subm it a use report. If you do not have access to the
Internet, please fax a copy of the report to TASER Int'l at 480-991-0791, Attn: Law Enforcem ent
Affairs. Inform ation used to establish a national usage database that will be subm itted to the
International Association of C hiefs of Police Use of Force Database. Please mark reports as
confidential and strike names as appropriate.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 35

ADVANCED TASER ® M26 User Certification Checklist
The requirem ents set forth below are deem ed to be the m inim um requirem ents to obtain a m anufacturer's
user certification. These requirem ents are considered to be the basis for a sound understanding of how and
when to use the ADVANCED T ASER and should be com pleted prior to deploym ent. A copy of each user's
Certification Test should be kept in departm ent records to validate certification.
____

Complete minimum 4 hours of instruction
The user shall have com pleted m inim um of 4 hours of instruction under the guidance of a certified
instructor. Coursework shall include all topics in Instructor Lesson Plan, including all drills and
functional dem onstrations.

____

Pass W ritten Examination
User m ust pass written exam ination with a score of 80% or greater.

____

Pass Functional Test
User m ust pass all functional tests listed at the end of the Certification Test.

____

Fire four (4) Air Cartridges
The user should fire four (4) Air Cartridges to both fam iliarize the user with the functions of the
system as well as to test aptitude. The user should fire one Air Cartridge during the instruction
course and three Air Cartridges during the final test. The user m ust be able to hit the target from 8
feet without the laser sight, and m ust be able to hit the target from 12 feet using a laser sight and
firing two Air Cartridges within 10-second tim e lim it. Students who do not hit the target should be run
through aim ing drills, and asked to fire again. U sers should not be qualified until they have passed
both firing tests. It is up to the discretion of the issuing law enforcem ent agency to determ ine the
m inim um num ber of shots fired for user qualification. However, at a m inim um at least 2 shots m ust
be fired to receive this certification from TASER International.
Certification is valid for a period of one year. Users should re-qualify once each year.

Re-qualification Checklist
____

Pass W ritten Examination
User m ust pass written exam ination with a score of 80% or greater.

____

Pass Functional Test
User m ust pass all functional tests listed at the end of the Certification Test.

____

Fire a minimum of tw o (2) Air Cartridges
The user m ust fire a m inim um of 2 Air Cartridges to both re-fam iliarize the user with the functions of
the system as well as to test aptitude. The user should fire one Air Cartridge during the instruction
course and three Air Cartridges during the final test. The user m ust be able to hit the target from 8
feet without the laser sight, and m ust be able to hit the target from 12 feet using a laser sight and
firing two Air Cartridges within 10-second tim e lim it. Students who do not hit the target should be run
through aim ing drills, and asked to fire again. Users should not be qualified until they have passed
both firing tests.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 36

PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 37

7860 E. McClain Dr., Suite 2 * Scottsdale, AZ 85260 * USA * 480-991-0797 * Fax 480-991-0791

www.TASER.com

ADVANCED TASER ® M26 Certification Test
PRINT LEGIBLY AND CLEARLY PLEASE!
Name: ________________________

Dept. / Company: ________________________

Rank: ________________________

Email: ________________________________

Phone: ________________________

Fax: __________________________________

Address:

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Training Date: ____________ Location: ______________________________________
1.

The ADVANCED TASER should generally be aim ed at:
A. Face
B. Center of body m ass
C. The legs
D. The head and neck

2.

The red pulsing light on the ADVANCED TASER handle with Alkaline batteries indicates:
A. The battery should be replaced.
B. The battery is good and the ADVANCED TASER is ready to deploy.
C. There is a m alfunction
D. The unit is off.

3.

The m axim um range of the ADVANCED TASER is.
A. 8 feet.
B. 13 feet.
C. 21 feet.
D. 25 feet.

4.

After deploying the ADVANCED TASER upon the "threat.”
A. Im m ediately turn the unit off.
B. Allow the firing cycle’s window of opportunity to continue until the threat is disabled.
C. Use the unit as a drive stun if the probes m iss the threat or reload the ADVANCED TASER.
D. Both B and C.

5.

The ADVANCED TASER’s dataport records the m ost recent num ber of firing tim es/date of use?
A. 1,000
B. 130
C. 200
D. 585

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 38

6.

The ADVANCED TASER’s autom atic tim ing cycle is for what duration?
A. 1 m inute each.
B. 30 seconds each.
C. 15 seconds each.
D. 5 seconds each.

7.

True or False: The ADVANCED TASER will not work as a “drive stun” with an expended (fired) Air
Cartridge in place?

8.

True or False: The ADVANCED TASER operates at 50,000 Volts and 26 W atts.

9.

True or False: The ADVANCED TASER m ay be used on threats under the influence of alcohol and
drugs.

10. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER probes m ust break the skin to work.
11. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER autom atic tim ing cycle cannot be stopped during operation.
12. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER’s recom m ended firing distance is 12-18 feet.
13. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER is designed to shoot sim ilar to a firearm .
14. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER (26-W att EMD) affects the sensory nervous system only.
15. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER’s live 15 foot cartridge has a solid yellow colored front.
16. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER can be m anually shut off during the firing cycle.
17. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER uses 2 AA batteries.
18. True or False: The ADVANCED TASER fires its bottom probe at a 12-degree downward angle.
19. W hen using the ADVANCED TASER with chem ical sprays, the following m ust be considered:
A. Type of propellant and base of chem ical or pepper spray.
B. If the threat has been sprayed in the eyes.
C. If the threat is not reacting to the chem ical spray.
D. The body weight of the target.
20. If the threat is standing in water when the ADVANCED TASER is deployed:
A. The ADVANCED TASER will not function.
B. Only the threat will be electrocuted to potential death.
C. Both the officer and threat will be electrocuted to potential death.
D. The ADVANCED TASER will work properly.
21. The ADVANCED TASER is constructed of what m aterial?
A. Recycled plastic grocery bags.
B. Sonic welded, m olded, high im pact polym er.
C. Machined alloy.
D. Lightweight m etal.
22. The ADVANCED TASER’s T-W ave output sim ulates.
A. The electronic waves used by com m unicating dolphins.
B. The electronic signals used by the hum an nerves to com m unicate.
C. The m icrowave signals used by police radar detectors to com m unicate inform ation.
D. The electronic output of a 110-Volt electrical socket.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 39

23. The ADVANCED TASER’s long-term effect on the threat is:
A. Possible interm ittent seizures.
B. Tem porary, unexpected blindness.
C. None.
D. Nervous twitches.
24. The "TASER-W ave" electronic signals of the ADVANCED TASER are effective:
A. Through up to two inches of clothing.
B. Through som e types soft body am our.
C. Through lightweight clothing.
D. All of the above.
4.

The ADVANCED TASER's spread between the two probes at 21 feet is:
A. 10 inches
B. 2 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 60 inches

4.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The ADVANCED TASER affects the:
Urinary tract
Sensory nervous system
Sensory and m otor nervous system s
Cardiac system

Explain the proper way of deploying ADVANCED TASER at a threat (150 w ords or less or by bulletpoints) from deployment through arrest:

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 40

ADVANCED TASER® M26 NOMENCLATURE
Identify the parts of the ADVANCED TASER

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.

Trigger
Battery Cover
Air Cartridge
Dataport
Safety
Battery Cover Pin
Front Sight & Rear Post Sights
Built-in Laser
Battery Indicator

______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

When you have completed this test, please deliver it to your instructor.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 41

ADVANCED TASER ® M26 User Application
PRINT LEGIBLY AND CLEARLY PLEASE!
Rank: _______________________ Name: __________________________________
Dept. / Company: _______________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________ Fax: _________________________________
Email: ________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Number of answers correct: _______ out of 35. (80% minimum = 28 correct answers)
Instructor to initial that student has successfully completed the following functional tests:
_____

Demonstration of proper finger positions for aiming and firing.

_____

Reload ADVANCED TASER 5 times in 15 seconds (watch finger position, disqualify for fingers in front of blast
doors).

_____

Officer can control unit adequately when commanded "Arm - Spark - Off" at random.

_____

Officer can remove and reinstall battery correctly.

_____

Draw ADVANCED TASER and hit target at 8 foot distance (time limit 5 seconds).

_____

Draw ADVANCED TASER (select the unit most likely to be used in the field) hit target at 8 feet, reload, hit 2nd
target at 12 feet with laser sight (time limit 10 seconds).

I hereby Certify that ____________________________________________ has successfully completed a minimum of
four hours training, has passed the written test with a score of 80% or better, has passed the above functional tests, has
demonstrated sufficient proficiency in the function, and use of the ADVANCED TASER and is hereby certified as a
trained user of this system.
Attested: ________________________________ Dated: _______________________________
Certified Instructor

Please list the serial numbers of the Air Cartridges fired:
___________; ___________; ___________; ___________; ___________

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 42

Maintain a file copy of this certification in department records.

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 43

ADVANCED TASER â M26 Certification Answer Sheet
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.

B
B
C
D
D
D
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
A
D
B
B
C
D
C
C

D epending on departm ent policy, answ ers should correspond to the general answ ers below :
·
Identify threat if acceptable for use of an AD VAN C ED TASER (child, pregnant, elderly, etc.).
·
C all for backup, “Code Zebra” or “TA SER , TASER ”.
·
Pull AD VAN C ED TASER from holster with live yellow Air C artridge.
·
If A ir C artridge is black and yellow, range is 21 feet. If Air C artridge is yellow, range is 15 feet.
·
G ive strong verbal instructions to threat to stop actions.
·
If not subject is not cooperating – FLIP SAFETY OFF. Note blinking red LED for alkaline battery check only.
·
Aim AD VAN C ED TASER at upper back or chest. Avoid thick clothing.
·
W atch for loose clothing or clothing that is too thick.
·
G ive instructions again for threat to stop action (laser sight m ay cause capitulation).
·
If not cooperating and still a threat, press trigger.
·
Ensure target falls to ground or is incapacitated.
·
C loser can apprehend threat or if by oneself, the ADV AN C ED TASER can be place on the groun d an d ap preh ended by the
shooting officer (careful not touch threat with hands between the probes).
·
U se “window of opportunity” while the ADV AN C ED TASER ’s 5-second cycles to apprehend.
·
Anticipate follow on 5-second cycles if closer are unable to apprehend subject.
·
Put the safety back on when use of force is com plete or suspect has cooperated.
·
R eload AD VAN C ED TASER with new Air Cartridge and return to holster.

NOMENCLATURE ANSWERS FOR ADVANCED TASER:
A. 3. Trigger
B. 7. Battery Cover
C. 2. Air Cartridge
D. 6. Dataport
E. 9. Safety
F. 8. Battery Cover Pin
G. 1. Fin & Blade Sight
H. 4. Built-in Laser
I. 5. Battery Indicator

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 44

PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 45

SUPERVISORY TASER â International USE REPORT
Date/Time: _________________ TASER Officer’s Name: _______________________________
E-mail: ____________________________ Department: ________________________________
Dept Address: __________________________________________ Phone: ________________
On Scene Supervisor: ___________________Officer(s) Involved: _________________________
TASER Serial #: _____________ Medical Facility: _____________ Doctor: ________________
Nature of the Call or Incident: _______________ Charges: __________________ Booked: Y / N
Location of Incident: ( ) Indoor ( ) Outdoor ( ) Jail ( ) Hospital
Type of Force Used (Check all that apply): ( ) Physical ( ) Less-lethal ( ) Firearm ( ) Chemical
Nature of the Injuries and Medical Treatment Required: _________________________________
Admitted to Hospital for Injuries: Y / N
Medical Exam: Y / N

Admitted to Hospital for Psychiatric: Y / N

Suspect Under the influence: Alcohol / Drugs (specify): ______________

W as an Officer, Police Employee, Volunteer or Citizen Injured other than by TASER? Y / N
Incident Type (circle appropriate response(s) below):
Civil Disturbance Suicidal

Suicide by Cop

Violent Suspect

Barricaded W arrant

Other

Age: _____ Sex: _____ Height: _____ Race: _____ W eight: _______
TASER use (circle one): Success / Failure

Suspect wearing heaving clothes: Y / N

Number of Air Cartridges fired: _________

Number of cycles applied: ___________

Usage (check one): ( ) Arc Display Only
TASER: Is this a dart probe contact: Y / N

( ) Laser Display Only

( ) TASER Application

Is this a stun gun contact: Y / N

Approximate target distance at the time of the dart launch: _____________ feet
Distance between the two probes: ___________ inches Need for an additional shot? Y / N
Did dart contacts penetrate the subject’s skin? Y / N
Did TASER application cause injury: Y / N

Probes removed on scene: Y / N

If yes, was the subject treated for the injury: Y / N

DESCRIPTION OF INJURY:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 46

APPLICATION AREAS
(Place “X’s” where probes hit suspect AND “O’s” where stunned)

TASER INTERNATIONAL LESSON PLAN p. 47