Health physics
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The aim of the study is to investigate systematically the possible interactions between two types of stun guns and last-generation pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. Experimental measurements were performed on pacemakers and implantable defibrillators from five leading manufacturers, considering the effect of stun gun dart positioning, sensing modality, stun gun shock duration, and defibrillation energy level. More than 300 measurements were collected. ⋯ For implantable defibrillators, in all cases, the stun guns triggered a ventricular fibrillation event detection. No risks resulted when the stun gun was used by a person wearing a pacemaker or an implantable defibrillator. This work provides novel and up-to-date evidence useful for the evaluation of risks to pacemaker/implantable defibrillator wearers due to stun guns.