Which statement best captures the overall injury risk associated with CEW exposures?

Which statement best captures the overall injury risk associated with CEW exposures?

• A. A subject may suffer a range of effects, including falls and dizziness, depending on circumstances
• B. CEWs never cause injury
• C. Only minor injuries occur
• D. Falls cannot occur

Answer: (A)

CEW exposures carry a range of possible effects rather than a single outcome. The electrical pulse can disrupt normal muscle control for a short time, which can lead to dizziness, disorientation, and loss of balance. Depending on factors such as how long the exposure lasts, where contact occurs on the body, the person’s health and physical condition, and the surroundings (surface, nearby objects), a fall or other injury can occur. That variability means the overall injury risk is best described as a spectrum—from minimal to more noticeable injuries—rather than a fixed result. The other statements are too absolute: CEWs can cause injury, and falls or more than just minor injuries are possible under the right circumstances, so saying injuries are impossible or always minor doesn’t fit real-world risk.

CEW exposures carry a range of possible effects rather than a single outcome. The electrical pulse can disrupt normal muscle control for a short time, which can lead to dizziness, disorientation, and loss of balance. Depending on factors such as how long the exposure lasts, where contact occurs on the body, the person’s health and physical condition, and the surroundings (surface, nearby objects), a fall or other injury can occur. That variability means the overall injury risk is best described as a spectrum—from minimal to more noticeable injuries—rather than a fixed result. The other statements are too absolute: CEWs can cause injury, and falls or more than just minor injuries are possible under the right circumstances, so saying injuries are impossible or always minor doesn’t fit real-world risk.