6. STEPS FOLLOWING CEW DEPLOYMENT—MEDICAL                                  
  Municipal Police Forces Other Agencies
  Abbotsford Central Saanich Delta Kitasoo Nelson New West Oak Bay Port Moody Saanich Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Transit Authority Police Vancouver Victoria West Van Corrections RCMP Sheriffs
General protocol                                  
Officers should evaluate the need for medical attention as they would with any other use-of-force incident, as directed by department policy. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √ √   √ √         √     √ √   √
Under all circumstances, the subject will be evaluated by EHS.                 √     √ √        
Once the subject is restrained officers should evaluate the need for medical attention for the underlying chemical or mental conditions observed. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √ √       √ √     √ √ √ √
Once the subject is restrained and controlled, they are placed in a seated position and evaluated by EHS.                       √          
When the CEW is used in the field, the controlled, compliant subject is to be  sat upright whenever possible.                 √     √ √        
If the subject is not moving or unconscious, they will be placed in the recovery position and a priority ambulance will be requested.                 √     √ √        
Try to minimize the amount of time the subject stays on his/her stomach.                 √                
The ideal recovery position is left side down.                 √                
Once the subject is in custody, seek appropriate medical attention and point out puncture sites.                 √                
If a subject is hit in the eye with a probe, get immediate medical assistance.                         √        
At least one officer should accompany subject to the hospital and brief the paramedics on the situation and effects of the CEW.       √         √ √           √  
Probe removal                                  
TASER International advises each agency to establish its own policy on probe removal. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √     √ √     √   √   √ √ √   √
Included in training materials is a TASER International poll about how different jurisdictions in the United States deal with probe removal. In this study, √ √     √ √         √     √ √   √
64% of departments allow officers to remove probes; 23% of departments require medics to remove probe; and 13% of departments require hospital care workers to remove probes. (TI v.13, v.14)
Ensure that client is fully controlled prior to removing the probes.       √           √           √  
Treat probes that have penetrated the body as contaminated needles and use gloves. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √ √ √ √ √     √ √ √   √ √ √ √ √
Exercise care during probe removal by keeping your free hand clear of the probe area to ensure you do not scrape yourself with the contaminated barb. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √ √   √ √         √     √ √   √
Grab the probe firmly and pull straight out in quick fashion, using your free hand as a brace.  Follow with an alcohol or iodine swipe. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √ √   √ √     √   √   √ √ √   √
Whoever removes the probe must check the probe body and insure that the probe is intact and that the straightened needle is still attached to the probe body. √ √   √ √ √       √         √ √  
There have been reported cases in which the probe was removed from a body but the pin/straightened needle pulled free of the probe body and remained in the skin.
Needle-nose pliers will be required to remove this to get a firm grip, or by hemostat, by EMS or hospital. (TI v.14)
There have been reported incidents where the barbed tip broke off and only the small barb remained in the skin.  In this instance, the barbed tip would behave √ √     √ √                 √    
similar to a small metal splinter; however, removal by medical staff is still advised. (TI v.14)
If the CEW was used in probe mode, a member currently certified in first aid may remove the probes. It is not necessary to have a medically trained person       √           √           √  
examine the individual, unless a probe is lodged in a sensitive part of the body, such as the eye or the groin, or the individual's physical condition warrants medical attention.
If probes are located in a medically sensitive location (groin, eye, etc.) ALWAYS transport to hospital for removal by a medical doctor.                         √        
Probe disposal                                  
Use surgical gloves to “encase” the cartridge and probes.                 √                
Use spent cartridge for probe storage.                 √       √        
Properly dispose of probes in a sharps container.                 √       √        
Carefully place used probes sharp-tip first into either a sharps container or into the cartridge side wire pocket container, secure in place, and place in a secure √ √ √   √ √     √   √   √ √ √   √
location where no one will accidentally touch probes (even after training exercises). (TI v.12, v.13, v. 14)