The TASER International, Inc. policy regarding the removal of probes is that the law enforcement
agencies may have a supervisor remove the probe. This is done on a regular basis by many of
the law enforcement agencies while others rely on EMTs, nurses, and doctors.
Generally speaking, if the only medical conditions are the removal of probes, it is safe to remove
them on scene by EMTs or police supervisors if they have not hit soft tissue. Some departments
still require nurses, doctors or ER to remove the probes -- and it should be your agency's SOP to
have ER remove the probes especially if the probes are imbedded in the eye, neck (particularly in
the larynx), breast or groin (more of a sensitivity issue) -- which by the way has happened in
field without any long-term injuries.
As for the probes, don't treat the probes on a ADVANCED TASER as you would a fish hook even
though the probes are #8 straightened fish hooks by McGill & Wright Fishing Co. They can
penetrate with a very slight hook to a maximum of 1/4 inch. Again, our manufacturer's
recommended procedure is to: "grab firmly a pull out with the strong hand while the weak hand
provides counter pressure. (I have a video that shows this method which I can email to someone
with a high capacity download speed.)
The best method is to firmly grip the probe with the strong hand and pull straight out firmly and
quickly while the weak hand should be used as counter pressure. To apply the counter pressure
properly, the hand placement is key. The weak hand should have the probe located in between
the forefinger and the thumb (spread apart in a "L" pattern to keep the removed probe from
striking these fingers with the hook on the way out.)
NOTE: A training point is that whoever removes the probe must check the probe body and insure
that the probe is intact and that the straightened barb is still attached to the probe body. There
have been two cases documented out of the hundreds of probe shots in which the probe was
removed from a body but the pin/straightened barb pulled free of the body and remained in the
skin. Needlenose pliers will be required to remove this to get a firm grip or by hemostat by EMS
or hospital.
Again, we suggest rubber gloves be worn, too. The proper followup care is to treat the puncture
wound with alcohol or iodine swipes and bandages. NOTE: The removed probes must be
treated as a biohazard if they have penetrated skin and safely put into a sharps container. There
may some redness from what appears to be a light burn but is actually a "signature mark," which
is redness from the expansion of enlarged blood vessels. The expanded blood vessels bring
more blood to the surface and this redness often gets mistaken for burns according to our in
house medical consultant, Dr. Robert Stratbucker.
Some ERs have made incisions to remove the proves as they don't know the length or the
amount of the slight hook. Others have poked the hook out the skin and clipped the barb. The
Annals of Emergency Medicine many years ago, still recommended the grab firmly and pull
method.
CRITICAL SIDE ISSUE:
Many of the subjects hit by the M26 are emotionally disturbed, but a significant number of these
subjects have been on serious chemical cocktail combinations. Our one warning to officers is
that in cases of particularly high levels of narcotics use (if the subject is exhibiting bizarre
behavior, especially coupled with violent and irrational behavior that the individual is in
hypothermia and removing his clothing), we strongly suggest you get them to medical ASAP.
The reasoning is simply that this individual may well be on their way to an overdose induced
cardiac arrest or is in the state of excited delirium -- which would obviously be better if it occurred
under medical supervision than in the back of a patrol car. This is a typical reaction for someone

overheating. In the words of Dr. Czarnecki, MD of the American Society of Law Enforcement
Trainers: "You can see typical signs of excited delirium, very likely to be drug-induced. Subject
number one was naked, which means almost always excited delirium (with elevated body
temperature).
Further, your officer should be aware of the following especially now that the ADVANCED TASER
is being used more frequently, particularly on subjects who fit the above category:
HYPERTHERMIA:
Psychostimulant drugs such as amphetamines, amphetamine derivatives, and cocaine can
produce a number of potentially lethal effects
Psychostimulant overdoses can cause cardiovascular compromise, seizures, and hyperthermia.
Hyperthermia is a common result due to severe doses or overdoses
Hyperthermia also occurs in lower doses of psychostimulants and may cause rhabdomyolysis.
Activation of particular dopamine receptors in the central nervous system may cause
psychostimulant induced hyperthermia.
EXCITED DELIRIUM:
Continued fatality studies reveled behavioral similarities between cocaine psychosis victims and
those under the influence of other drugs.
Sometimes even the lack of having taken certain prescription drugs could cause a similar
response in abnormal behavior (such as lithium in the case of certain manic depressants)
New term now is - excited delirium
Symptoms and behavioral patterns:
bizarre and aggressive behavior
dilated pupils
fear
high temps (106-108)
hiding behind things
irrational, incoherent speech
jumping into water
Symptoms:
panic
paranoia
profuse sweating
public disrobing
self-inflicted injuries
shivering
shouting
seizures
unexpected physical strength
violent behavior (general)
violence towards others
violence towards objects (glass)
THE KEY IS TO WATCH FOR MORE THAN ONE SYMPTOM
Drugs, Death, and Blame:
Always keep in mind that people that exhibit symptoms and behavioral patterns suggesting
cocaine psychosis or excited delirium are experiencing a medical emergency
Manic depressants taking Lithium will sometimes discontinue taking their meds. These subjects
often appear to be in a state of Excited Delirium and may well be.
Excited Delirium is regarded as a “medical emergency with a psychological presentation”

BEWARE of SUDDEN TRANQUILITY
Try to minimize the appearance of “mishandling” suspect.
Please feel free to contact me at 800-978-2737 ext. 2006, fax 480-991-0791 or email me at
steve@TASER.com with any questions.
The probes in the attached photos are graphic. Both of these probes were pulled out without
surgical incisions at all and without complications.
The probe in the face was removed on scene by EMS. The probe shot in the penis was removed
approximately two hours later at a local hospital. No legal or other reprecussions followed. Here
are the details from Seminole Co. Sheriff's Dept: "Three deputies arrive at a domestic
disturbance. Male suspect flees from house into woods. They set up perimeter. One deputy
flushes suspect out towards deputy armed with Taser (certified and equipped two days prior).
Deputy gives command for suspect to stop. Suspect continues to run towards deputy, drops
head down as if to tackle the deputy and he simultaneously fires. One probe in right cheek, one
in center of chest. He takes the 5 second ride. As assisting deputies tried to handcuff him, he
begins fighting again. He took another 5 second ride. He was then secured. No complaint of
any injury. I'll have the JPEGs forwarded to you!" Lt. Allen: eallen@seminolesheriff.org
The penis shot man was shot by Clay County Sheriff's Dept during drug. The suspect tried to
evade deputies and jumped through a plate glass window. When he stood up he was confronted
immediately by a M26 and shot with one probe hitting the man in the penis.
The man who was shot in the face was in the process of attempting to tackle Osceola County
Sheriff's Dept deputy with his head down in a football stance tackle.

Probe Removal
samples.doc

Probe Removal
issues.doc

Probe face shot.jpg

Probe Face
shot2.jpg

Penis probe
shot.jpg

Penis probe shot
2.jpg

Sincerely,
Steve Tuttle
Director of Government & Law Enforcement Affairs

TASER International (NASDAQ: TASR)

Steve@TASER.com * 800-978-2737 ext. 2006 * Fax 480-991-0791 * Cell 602-432-3885
7860 East McClain Dr., #2, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA 85260-1627

TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR and TASRW) provides advanced less-lethal weapons for use in
the law enforcement, private security, and personal defense markets. Our flagship ADVANCED TASER®
product uses proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects that may be
impervious to other less-lethal means. Our technology reduces injury rates to suspects and officers, thereby
lowering liability risk and improving officer safety. The ADVANCED TASER is currently in testing or

deployment at over 1,500 law enforcement and correctional agencies in the U.S. and Canada. For more
information or to see real world videos of the ADVANCED TASER, visit our website at www.TASER.com.