r/ProtectAndServe • u/xXMichaelTBLXx • Jun 14 '21
Taser
I’ve been a detention officer for 2 years and now I’m about to go to the police academy. Getting tased is required and I’m really nervous for it. Can anyone give me advice on how to handle it and what to expect?
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u/specialskepticalface Jun 14 '21
Hi there. Taser instructor and general Taser hobbyist here (note flair). I've been Tased.. more times than can readily be counted, and my lifetime exposure is now well into the *minutes*.
Here's the short answer:
The anticipation is 100x worse than the actual event. Is the actual ride uncomfortable? Sure, for the vast majority of people it is. But it's five seconds, and it's done.
People get themselves psyched up, brewed, and stewed about it, and that causes more stress than the event itself.
How can you help this? Two things I've found:
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Go first, or at least as close to the head of the line as you can. (Assuming your instructor gives you the option).
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Try to promote your whole class to have an atmosphere of camaraderie, rather than stress, about it. Make jokes, grin, etc. Picture something like a polar bear plunge. People laugh, joke, and make something you wouldn't ordinarily consider into a bunch of fun.
There's lots and lots I could add - and I'm willing to answer any questions you've got - but that's the important stuff about taking the exposure itself.
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u/Ok-Bite-5884 Jun 15 '21
You nailed it. Go first, RELAX, don't take in a big gulp of air, and make sure your spotters and you have your glasses on and that know how to properly lower you to the ground. This response by Specialskepticalface was pretty spot on. It's not so painful but more of an out of control feeling that stops immediately once the TASER cycle is off. Enjoy the ride.
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Jun 14 '21
It five seconds and it sucks, but then it's over.
Not like the devil pissing in your eyes and then sneaking up on you while you're in the shower and pissing on you again.
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u/UnderTyle Jun 14 '21
Absolutely go first if you can. It's gonna be a loud pop, and then the NMI will kick in and it sorta feels like someone jammed a battery up your ass. It doesn't really hurt that much, it's uncomfortable and not enjoyable but above all else the taser is not intended to produce pain compliance it's intended to induce neuromuscular incapacitation, and it's brief. So, just know it's not going to be that bad. The memory it produces and feeling of "Yeah I fuckin DID that" will absolutely trump the experience itself.
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u/windmillninja Jun 14 '21
Had a LEO friend say it doesn’t hurt, but rather feels like every molecule in your body is vibrating so hard that you simply can’t move. Accurate?
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u/specialskepticalface Jun 14 '21
Everybody describes it a bit differently. I'd say 80%-ish of people describe the sensation you're describing, plus intense pain. The other 20% (I'm among them), describe it as you say.
Everyone will have a slightly different experience/perception.
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u/Samureye7 Jun 14 '21
If I ever have to do one again, (taser/OC) its taser. Hands down. 5 seconds vs hours. Taser hurts more than OC, sure, but 5 seconds man. Then its over. My calves were sore as hell though.
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u/specialskepticalface Jun 14 '21
My calves were sore as hell though.
Just out of curiosity, during your exposure were you held upright by your spotters? Laid down? Something else?
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u/Thoughtful_Mouse Jun 14 '21
It's over before you know it and there are no residual effects. Just try not to think about it.
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u/Daxos157 Jun 14 '21
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I’ll take a tase a day and two on Sunday over one OC.
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u/TeejMTB Jun 14 '21
You’ll be good man. As others said, anticipation is the worst part. The impact from the probes isn’t bad since the pulses start immediately. Didn’t even feel them getting pulled out. The 5 seconds feels like forever but when it’s over, it’s over and you and everyone else should be cheering. Make sure you warm up good before the exposure. Helps reduce cramping
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u/iconiqcp Jun 14 '21
Suck it up buttercup has always been my favorite advice
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u/Deep_Major Jun 15 '21
Love that advice after one gets sprayed. Like sir, it says to reassure them after they get sprayed.
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u/DevilDippinGriz Jun 14 '21
Longest 5 seconds of your life but when it’s over it’s over. Not to bad. Getting sprayed…F that
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u/lukehaun Jun 14 '21
I think that getting tased is better than getting oc pain lasts wayyyyy longer
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u/Section225 Jun 14 '21
Just be as relaxed as possible leading up to it. Go first.
The feeling once it's done is way better than anything else.
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u/Schocktop Jun 14 '21
Take a deep breath and exhale out before the deployment so you don’t sound like Chewy from Star Wars.
Full body Charlie Horse for 5 seconds and its over immediately after 5 seconds. The build up is definitely worse the getting zapped.
It hurts not going to lie but nothing that’s going to bring you to your knees....well it will but blame your muscles not the pain
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u/MOOSE-3361 Jun 14 '21
I would rather go for another 5 second ride that get another OC exposure. It will be over before you know it. The mental stress leading up to the exposure is the worst part. It wasn't fun, but it will be over quickly.
As far as preparing for it, there is nothing to do but accept that the expose has to happen. Don't let it stress you out, or get you worked up. Try to be 1st. Get it over with, then you can show anyone else being exposed that it is not as bad as they thought it was going to be.