15. VOLUNTARY EXPOSURE                                  
  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
Voluntary exposure prohibited                                  
Voluntary exposure is prohibited in practice or in writing.     √     √   √     √ √   √ √    
Voluntary exposure requirement for certification                                  
Voluntary exposure is not required for instructor or user certification. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √         √     √     √ √
Benefits of voluntary exposure                                  
For the purposes of generating confidence, empathy, understanding, and court credibility it is recommended, but not required, that all members experience the                         √        
effects of a CEW with taped wires to the clothing for a period of 1–5 seconds.  Given the force options context of CEWs (low-level intermediate weapon), the fact
that the CEW will be deployed with some degree of frequency, and the fact that
there are few or no lingering effects, it is important that each member experience
the CEW’s effects.  It is a proven training principle that one can learn as much from “experiencing” as one can from “performing.”
Instructor credibility as a leader and subject matter expert; officers can better understand the effects of the device, build confidence to go “hands-on” with a √ √     √               √       √
subject without receiving shock, prepare for better self-defence, court expertise, and become prepared to handle the risks of secondary exposures. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
Voluntary exposure is highly recommended for both instructors and users for several reasons. For instructors it increases their credibility among students for       √           √           √  
understanding and explaining the effects of the weapon. For all users it provides a better understanding of what the subject is experiencing, what their likely
reaction will be, and provides the user with own personal understanding of what effect the weapon might have if a subject were to obtain their weapon and use it
on the officer. This would become extremely beneficial in court if an officer had to justify use of force to stop a client who was attempting to take the CEW.
Voluntary exposure also enhances the confidence of both users and instructors. This confidence is required at every CEW deployment. If CEW users, or officers       √           √           √  
assisting in the arrest during or after CEW deployment, do not have the confidence in their own abilities to function through a deployment, they are compromising
the safety of themselves, their partners, and the public. Voluntary exposure assists in ‘rationalizing’ the fear of ‘electrical current.’ After a voluntary exposure,
the mind’s-eye says, “I'm still nervous or scared...but I've dealt with it and have overcome it and have reasonable certainty that it will not be a hindrance in the execution of my duty.”
Risks of training injuries                                  
Exposure to a CEW causing NMI (neuromuscular incapacitation) is a stressful event for the human body similar to physical exertion from athletic activity, such as √ √   √ √         √     √     √ √
weight lifting or wrestling.  Risks of injury from physical exertion or falling, while low, are not zero. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
The CEW device can cause temporary loss of motor control and involuntary muscle contractions.  In the course of falling to the ground, a person could sustain any of √ √     √                       √
a wide variety of injuries from head concussion to broken bones to dislocated joints, especially if proper use of spotters and holding techniques are not followed. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
The CEW causes strong muscle contractions which may be severe and may cause physical exertion athletic-type injuries to some people. These muscle contractions       √           √           √  
may result in injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, back, joints, and stress fractures. Therefore, the wires/alligator clips can only be attached to the front torso area of the person.
A person with a pre-existing injury may face a higher risk of athletic type injury from muscle contraction or falling. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
The CEW causes pain, which can be stressful. This stress may be injurious to some people.       √           √     √     √  
The two probes impact with a velocity of approximately 165 ft/sec. and are capable of penetrating up to 1/4 inch into the flesh, causing puncture wounds. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
CEWs can cause minor signature marks on the skin similar to a minor burn in the areas where probes or clips are attached.  Also, minor bleeding may occur if the probes penetrate the skin. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Safety precautions prior to exposure                                  
Voluntary exposure safety guidelines must be adhered to.       √           √           √  
While adherence to safety precautions for subjects in actual field use cannot always be enforced, it is imperative that extra precautions are strictly adhered to during √ √     √                       √
any volunteer exposure to minimize the possibility of injury. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
Prior to conducting voluntary exposure to the CEW devices, instructors must review all safety precautions with the class. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Every student must read and sign the TASER Safety Rules and Liability Release form. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Voluntary exposures to CEW devices should only be conducted by a certified instructor. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √     √               √       √
CEW instructors conducting voluntary exposure must hold a valid certification in first aid and CPR in the event that the student experiences any undue adverse reaction.       √           √           √  
Any volunteer with concerns over present or past medical conditions should refrain from voluntary exposure. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √               √       √
Volunteers must notify instructor of any pre-existing injuries, medical conditions, or susceptibilities. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √         √     √     √ √
Volunteers with pre-existing conditions should avoid exposure to injured areas (for example, someone with a back injury should avoid CEW stimulation to the large muscles of the back). (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Because of parental/guardian consent issues, no minor shall be exposed to a CEW weapon as part of a training course.       √           √           √  
Volunteers should relieve themselves prior to exposure in order to not have stress-related urination.  Also, volunteers who are dehydrated or have low blood sugar should hydrate or eat a light snack. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Volunteers should stretch and warm up as they would before exercising, including muscles of the back, shoulders, legs, and torso. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Move furniture and place the volunteer away from sharp objects to ensure a safe place to lower the subject to the ground. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Proper matting is required in the exposure area. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √         √     √     √ √
Clear the area of bystanders and objects. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √         √     √     √ √
Do not use or have flammable liquids and fumes in the vicinity during a CEW application. The CEWs can ignite gasoline or other flammables.       √           √           √  
If probes are fired in lieu of attaching spent wires or alligator clips, then eye protection is required for both the spotter and the student being exposed. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √         √     √     √ √
Spotters need to support student before and during exposure; support student under the armpit to avoid shoulder rotation.       √           √           √  
The RCMP voluntary exposure protocol only approve the use of alligator clips and/or wires attached/taped to the clothing; eye protection is still required for both       √           √           √  
the spotters and the student being exposed. Provided that no probes are attached
to the person’s arms, there should be no electrical pulses flowing into the spotters
and they can safely support the person being exposed without any negative impact.
Volunteer, holders, and any observers within 21 feet of the device must wear eye protection. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √   √ √         √           √ √
Safety procedures during volunteer exposure                                  
Use floor mats and spotters with proper holding technique to prevent the volunteer from falling hard and getting hurt. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Each spotter should hold an upper arm of the standing volunteer under the armpit, so that the person can be safely supported and lowered to the ground after being √ √     √               √     √ √
hit without twisting, rotating, or putting undue stress on the arm or shoulder. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
All persons volunteering for a CEW exposure shall either be supported by two spotters so they don’t fall or placed face down on the mat prior to exposure. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √     √               √       √
Electricity will not pass to others in contact with the subject, unless contact is made directly between or on the probes. (TI v.12, v.13)                                 √
Provided that no probes are attached to the person’s arms, there should be no electrical pulses flowing into the spotters and they can safely support the person being hit without any negative impact. (TI v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Extreme care must be taken to avoid aiming at sensitive areas, especially the eyes, where serious permanent injury could occur. Other sensitive areas that should be √ √     √                       √
avoided during volunteer exposure include the throat, face, and genitals. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
Have volunteer kneeling or prone.                         √        
Probes should be deployed from behind the volunteer. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Probe deployments are prohibited.       √           √           √  
Optimal safety is to aim for the volunteer’s back or legs. There are fewer sensitive areas on the back (eyes, throat, groin, etc.) (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Instructors should also consider targeting the legs as opposed to the back to further reduce stress to the students. (TI v.14) √ √     √                       √
While having the volunteer stand may be necessary to show the effect of hits to particular parts of the body and certain other tactical considerations, such as √ √     √                        
close probe deployments and one-probe hits, most exposures can be achieved with the volunteer lying face down on the mat.  This may help to reduce the stress to the student. (TI v.14)
Use the laser sight for increased accuracy. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √                       √
Voluntary exposure content                                  
Every voluntary exposure should have training value for the entire class. (TI v.14) √ √     √                        
Utilize probe hits to allow students to remove probes; target different parts of the body to show different effects; demonstrate one probe hit with drive-stun follow- √ √     √                       √
up; demonstrate difference between probe hits and drive-stun. (TI v.13, v.14)
After demonstrating specific training exposures, remaining hits should be done with the volunteer lying face down targeting the legs, or other areas of the body if √ √     √                        
necessary to avoid pre-existing injuries. (TI v.12, v.14)
Voluntary exposure will be conducted with live cartridges equipped with wire/clip attachments only, and they will be attached to the front of the torso and no more than 10 to 14 inches apart.       √           √           √  
The voluntary exposure should have a limited duration; a 1-2 second exposure will suffice. This would be similar to receiving an inadvertent electrical shock from       √           √           √  
the wires during the “hands on” portion of an arrest. One can also say that after feeling the current for 2 seconds, they have an appreciation of how 5 seconds must feel.
A full 5-second cycle exposure may be applied only when the candidate requests it.       √           √           √  
Group exposure                                  
Group exposures are not recommended. (TI v.14) √ √     √                        
Group demo voluntary exposure is prohibited.       √           √           √  
During group exposure, make sure students are all lying down. (TI v.12, v.13)                                 √
Post-exposure safety procedures: probe removal                                  
Engage in careful probe removal using proper protocol. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14) √ √     √               √       √
Persons removing probes must wear protective gloves and use standard probe-removal safety precautions.  If students are allowed to remove probes, ensure that √ √     √                       √
the supporting hand is well clear of the probe.  Also ensure the barb is attached to the probe and has not dislodged in the skin. (TI v.12, v.13, v.14)
The instructor is responsible for ensuring that the host agency or other party provides rubber gloves, alcohol wipes, and bandages for probe removal.
(TI v.12, v.13, v.14)		 √ √     √                       √