ST. LOUIS – The manufacturers of the Taser police defence system are being taken to court as a result of a man who suffered brain damage subsequent to cardiac arrest apparently caused by the use of the Taser against him. The man, one Colin Fahy, was shot twice in the chest using the Taser whilst under the influence of alcohol and narcotics. Following the use of the Taser, he fell to the floor and was handcuffed. According to claims made in court filings, the Taser use caused him to go into “ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest”.  He was to spend some thirty minutes in cardiac arrest, followed by a long recovery period in ICU. Permanent brain damage still remains.

Could the Taser trigger cardiac arrest?

This is not the only allegation of cardiac arrest triggered by Taser use and professional opinions vary about the risks involved. The case, which dates back to 1997, may predate knowledge or suspicion of such risks. The company in this case will argue that the handcuffing of Colin Fahy was instrumental in causing the health complications. Further, they will claim that it would take some 15 times the power of a Taser to trigger cardiac arrest, according to their trials.

Discussion over this case and related issues is likely to focus upon risk:benefit analysis rather than scientific observation, however it is important that medical facilities are prepared for this form of case and those who use Tasers consider the availability of critical care facilities in close proximity before discharging their weapons.