SUMMARY

Today we will discuss the advantages of Air Taser weapons over traditional stun guns. We will also cover how the Air Taser operates along with muscle disruption and pain compliance.

The Air Taser is a non-lethal self-defense tool used by security, law enforcement and police personnel. Some air tasers can be purchased by civilians; however some cities and states prohibit the sale, purchase and possession of air tasers and stun guns by the general public. If you are considering purchasing any self-defense item it is recommended that you check with your local law enforcement agency in regards to the possession and use of the weapon.

The air taser shoots two probes forced out by compressed nitrogen. The probes travel at a rate of 160 feet per second. The probes are connected to the taser with insulated wire which carries the electric signal to the probes upon impact with the assailant. The probes will work whether in contact with the assailant’s body or their clothing. In the event that the wires of the air taser become disconnected the taser can double as a traditional stun gun by touching the tip of the weapon against the assailant.

Our muscles are able to move due to the communication in the peripheral nervous system which includes sensory and motor nerves. The nerves carry the information from the brain to the muscle to create and control movement. The air taser upon impact causes immediate loss of neuromuscular control. The loss of neuromuscular control prevents the assailant from performing coordinated actions during the discharge of electrical impulses.

One of the advantages of the air taser is that the assailant can be 15 feet away when being used as the wires connected to the probes are 15 feet in length. Law enforcement models of air tasers have tasers that allow police to shoot an assailant who is up to 35 feet away. A second advantage is that you can not be shocked if an assailant touches you during an altercation. This makes the air taser a better choice than pepper sprays and or chemical irritants which get into the air upon discharge and can cause temporary pain to the victim. This event is referred to as pepper spray blow back, which is when a person is being attacked and sprays pepper spray and gets hit with the irritant themselves. Note to pepper spray users do not let this deter you from carrying pepper spray because the effects of blow back (secondary exposure) are minimal and will only last for minutes, your ability to evade will not be hindered due to secondary exposure either. Also read my article The Advantages of Pepper Gel Versus Pepper Spray.

The greater the distance between you and an assailant the better, fleeing when able in a life threatening situation is always the best answer. Although stun guns and air tasers work similarly using a stun gun requires you to be within arms reach of the attacker. Using the air taser allows you to create distance between you and the assailant. Pepper sprays and stun guns do not allow the distance. You can step back while firing an air taser with training and experience. Space gives you much needed time; it allows you time to think, react and give verbal commands such as "step back" or other compliance instructions. Remember loud verbal commands can cause the assailant to become distracted from their goal. It requires them to think. This gives you critical time to flee or summon help.

The Air Taser provides many different advantages over a traditional stun gun. The greatest being the ability to maintain distance between you and a assailant. Secondly if the taser prongs should become loose during an attack the air taser doubles as a stun gun.