Can/Should you be using a taser in a storm like that?
Paging u/NNescio the guy who know (almost?) everything. But my assumption is yes, yes you can since raindrops do not form a continuous line which is needed conduct electricity. Not really sure where the current will end up if both the victim and the taser stand on water though.
Paging u/NNescio the guy who know (almost?) everything. But my assumption is yes, yes you can since raindrops do not form a continuous line which is needed conduct electricity. Not really sure where the current will end up if both the victim and the taser stand on water though.
The current is set up between the two electrodes, and follows the path of least resistance between the two electrodes through the target. Grounding the target doesn't help, since the current flows BETWEEN the two electrodes, through the target's skin/flesh. By that same principle you can hold onto a tasered target (or even stand in the same bathtub as him) without getting shocked.
Training courses on using tasers do advise caution on (or outright recommend against) using tasers against targets in water though, but that's because of the risk of the target drowning (not shocking the user) after he's incapacitated.
A taser is still, however, an electronic device, and long-term exposure to heavy rain (or just a through soaking in water) can damage the electronics housed in the main taser body, in which case it might fail to discharge (shorted out or otherwise), or discharge at an inopportune time (if the firing mechanism is damaged) while holstered (even if the safety is on).
If the electrical arc is still on (like in the above image), then the taser is still functioning.
The current is set up between the two electrodes, and follows the path of least resistance between the two electrodes through the target. Grounding the target doesn't help, since the current flows BETWEEN the two electrodes, through the target's skin/flesh. By that same principle you can hold onto a tasered target (or even stand in the same bathtub as him) without getting shocked.
Training courses on using tasers do advise caution on (or outright recommend against) using tasers against targets in water though, but that's because of the risk of the target drowning (not shocking the user) after he's incapacitated.
A taser is still, however, an electronic device, and long-term exposure to heavy rain (or just a through soaking in water) can damage the electronics housed in the main taser body, in which case it might fail to discharge (shorted out or otherwise), or discharge at an inopportune time (if the firing mechanism is damaged) while holstered (even if the safety is on).
If the electrical arc is still on (like in the above image), then the taser is still functioning.
Also, pure water doesn't conduct very well, you need to dissolve ions in it. For example, salts. So while the rain itself probably isn't a huge risk, storms usually result in increased waves and, therefore, increased sea-spray on ships. That should conduct quite well as well as corrode the electrodes as NNescio points out above.
Also, pure water doesn't conduct very well, you need to dissolve ions in it. For example, salts. So while the rain itself probably isn't a huge risk, storms usually result in increased waves and, therefore, increased sea-spray on ships. That should conduct quite well as well as corrode the electrodes as NNescio points out above.
Pure water dissociates with the component ions hydroxide and proton. If a short circuit formed by charge carriers is a concern in taser safety, then even pure water is a hazard to the components.