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A lot of our local law enforcement officers have started to carry tasers. For those of you unfamiliar with these devices, they shoot two barbed probes, connected by wiring to the main unit, into a suspect. The probes then deliver 50,000 volts of electricity to the subject, rendering him incapacitated for a few seconds.
The problem with these is that they must puncture the skin to be effective, so after they're used, law enforcement calls EMS to come and remove the barbs.
Our medical director has interpreted our state laws in a really strange way. Since EMT-B's are not able to remove IV's, he won't let them remove the barbs either (since they're considered an invasive procedure in his opinion). I was wondering if the rest of you are allowed to remove the barbs, or do you have to transport the subject to the hospital. (I understand that barb placement has a lot to do with this decision, so I'm only talking about barbs in non-critical muscle masses.)
The problem with these is that they must puncture the skin to be effective, so after they're used, law enforcement calls EMS to come and remove the barbs.
Our medical director has interpreted our state laws in a really strange way. Since EMT-B's are not able to remove IV's, he won't let them remove the barbs either (since they're considered an invasive procedure in his opinion). I was wondering if the rest of you are allowed to remove the barbs, or do you have to transport the subject to the hospital. (I understand that barb placement has a lot to do with this decision, so I'm only talking about barbs in non-critical muscle masses.)