Tasers "may effect heart rhythm and rate" and "cardiac capture"

What's it all mean? Is it dangerous?

The term "cardiac capture" means that the taser has randomly connected itself to the subject such that it is trying to pace the heart.

The common X26 taser pulses at 19 times per SECOND.

This would imply that the heart is a quivering mass trying, and failing, to beat at over 1000 beats per minute.

Imagine if this continued for, say, more than about 10 to 15 seconds.

Dangerous? Gee, do ya think?

Remember that "Dr." Mark Kroll persistently claimed that the taser would not affect the heart. He wrote an article actually published in IEEE Spectrum. He wrote an article about "Cardiac Safety" that was prominently published on Taser International's website (recently deleted without comment). And many more... All of these argued that tasers are "cardiac safe".

Keep in mind that this "Dr." (of EE, not medicine) headed Taser International's Medical Safety Panel.

But now even Taser International, in their latest bulletin (May 2010) admits that tasers CAN affect the heart. Especially if a dart happens to land on the wrong location on the chest.

In my personal opinion, the liability is not just civil ($), but seems to reach the level of criminal liability. It's just my opinion. But professional and corporate negligence at this level, blind to the obvious evidence that surrounds them, negligence that is associated with an unknown number of deaths (hundreds?) deserves more than a slap on the wrist.

But these are just my personal opinions.