If clothing is loose or very thick, CEW effectiveness may be reduced.

• A. CEW may not work or may stop working
• B. CEW will work more effectively
• C. There is no change
• D. It will be illegal to use

Answer: (A)

Clothing thickness and looseness can hinder how a CEW delivers its energy. CEWs fire two darts that must puncture clothing to reach the skin and create a conductive path through the body. If the clothing is very thick or loose, the darts may not pierce or may slip off, widening the gap between skin and the darts. This reduces the current that reaches the body and can prevent the device from delivering a full stun. In such cases, the CEW may not work or may stop working, because the energy isn’t effectively transferred to the target. Thin or snug clothing tends to allow better contact and more reliable energy transfer, whereas bulky or loose clothing makes malfunction or reduced effectiveness more likely.