Rule Number One for Cartridge Safety:

NEVER place your hand in front of the cartridge blast doors.

One of the fundamental issues addressed in the TASER Training program is to never attempt to replace blast doors that have fallen off of a cartridge. This is stressed in the Instructor and Armorer Certification Program, and should also be stressed in the in-service training done at the department level.

The blast doors of TASER cartridges were redesigned so that they now "snap on". The purpose of this redesign was to reduce the possibility of the doors coming off. Unfortunately, many officers have gotten the idea that the snap on feature is there to allow them to "snap the doors back on" if they happen to fall off.

This is not true.

The primary reason for this is that, if the doors have come off, it is possible that the conductive strip on the underside of the doors may be disturbed. Replacing the doors could then compromise the reliability of the cartridge.

Additionally, it is rare for a cartridge to deploy its probes due to electrostatic discharge, but it is possible. It is also possible that, if an officer fires a TASER and the cartridge fails to deploy for some reason, that the wire bundles in the cartridge may retain a small electrical charge for a short time (rather like a coil). If an officer then places his or her hand across the front of the cartridge, that may complete the circuit, and the probes may deploy.

Cartridges have a five year, no questions asked warranty. If a cartridge fails, or if the doors come off, the cartridge should be returned to TASER for a replacement. This is accomplished through the RMA process, accessed via the TASER website (www.taser.com ).

Rule Number One for Cartridge Safety: NEVER place your hand in front of the cartridge blast doors.

Steve Ashley
TASER Senior Master Instructor

15 Custer Court
Monroe, MI 48161

517-548-2275 Office/Residence
517-947-6018 Facsimile
248-467-1541 Cell

sashley@taser.com

www.sashley.com