Posted: 4/6/2005 12:38:22 PM EDT
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Looking for volunteers...  I haven't seen the design of the projectiles that Tasers use, but my understanding is that they are barbed hooks that can penetrate clothing. Since we're talking about high voltage and low amperage, any conductive material should shunt a huge portion of the electrical discharge, meaning less goes into you. So... Aluminum foil armor. I'm sure it wouldn't completely eliminate the shock, but maybe it would give you enough control to rip out the barbs, charge your attacker, or draw your weapon. Thoughts? Jim |
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Assuming both barbs have hit you and your clothing is no more than 1-1/2" thick, the barbs will arc to your skin and complete the circuit (I have a small scar where this happened to me). Taser makes a special cartridge for places like Minnesota with longer barbs that will penetrate into down-filled jackets and such (up to 2-1/2" of clothing if I recall correctly). To summarize, the barbs do NOT have to penetrate the skin to be effective. The arc is very effective, from personal experience. However, LEOs generally are discouraged from tasing a person who has been coated in a flamable substance, like some pepper sprays, as the arc (if the barbs are not embedded in the skin) can ignite the subject. |
I'm suddenly having REALLY evil thoughts. 
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Yes, but if the barbs pass through metal foil, the foil should shunt most of the current. BTW, those of you tagging for results--I don't hear any volunteer test subjects speaking up just yet. :) Maybe if there's enough interest, I could convince a local LEO to stage an experiment when they're zapping the new LEOs... Jim |
