PlanetMace Blog

How Air Tasers Work

While many people know that air tasers are an effective means of providing non-lethal self defense for common citizens, there are many misconceptions about how these devices actually work. Here is some helpful background information to help you better understand how these reliable devices work, and how you can best select an air taser that fits your self protection needs.

How Does an Air Taser Work?
Air tasers work by firing two barbed darts into the body of an attacker, with electrical wires running from these darts back to the hand held device. The the hand held device contains an amplifier that builds and stores a high voltage charge that is dumped into the body of an attacker, causing their muscles to rapidly burn all the energy in the body, and interfering with the neurological signals from the brain. The combined effect is that an assailant is immediately rendered harmless and disabled for up to 15 minutes.

Do Air Tasers ‘Electrocute’ Their Target?
No, electrocution, as is performed with the electrical chair in death penalty sentences, requires a high amperage current; which essentially means that the sin wave of the current oscillates at a high frequency. This is what causes burning of the muscle tissues and body organs that leads to death in these cases, as well as lighting strikes, but is not the case for air tasers and other stunning self defense items. Rather, a high voltage charge that carries very little amperage

How do Air Tasers Fire Their Darts?
Air tasers fire their darts with compressed nitrogen, stored inside replaceable cartridges that are concealed inside the handle of most air tasers. Once discharged, replacement cartridges can be purchased and installed to make air tasers totally reusable.

How Far Can Air Tasers Shoot?
Air tasers can be shot up to 15 feet, and should ideally be deployed at least 7 feet from the target in order to ensure that the darts are spread at least 6 inches at their points of contact.

How Fast Do Air Taser Darts Travel?
Air tasers typically shoot their darts at around 135 feet per second, which is fast enough to defy inclement conditions and penetrate skin and clothing in order to get a fastened grip on the target.

Can Air Tasers be Used More Than Once?
Yes, the battery can be recharged, and replacement nitrous cartages are available at most sporting goods stores.

Will Cold Weather Affect the Performance of my Air Taser?
Contrary to urban myths, even severe cold conditions will not affect the nitrous containers that produce the force behind the projectile darts. Neither temperature nor altitude are significant forces that could hinder the use of an air taser.

Can Air Tasers Cause a Fire?
While air tasers will not ignite gun powder, it is possible for the spark from an air taser to ignite gasoline or lighter fluid. As such, an air taser should never be used in conjunction with a pepper spray containing alcohol based solutions.

How Are Air Tasers Kept Out of the Hands of Criminals?
Most Air Tasers contain an anti-felon identification system that tracks their use down to each single unit, so once discharged, authorities are able to identify the criminal and the owner of the air taser unit that apprehended the subject. This of course, also deters any improper use of these devices, as they can be easily tracked back to the owner.

What Are the Disadvantages of Air Tasers?
Perhaps the only disadvantage of air tasers, is that in order to work most effectively, the darts should attach themselves to the target at least six inches from each other. This requires that the target be at least 7 feet away from the point of discharge, presenting the risk that the target might be missed due to inaccuracy.

Where Can I Get Training on How to Use an Air Taser?
Your local law enforcement representative will be able to instruct you on where to find local classes and trainers that specialize in personal safety devices such as air tasers, pepper and Mace sprays, and other self defense options.