Under the drive stun usage guidelines, may a DFSG be used as a drive stun with or without a live cartridge?

• A. It can occur with or without a live cartridge
• B. It must always have a live cartridge
• C. It cannot be used if a live cartridge is present
• D. It should never be used near water

Answer: (B)

A drive stun depends on the energy path created by the cartridge. When a DFSG is used in drive-stun mode, the device channels electrical energy through the contact surfaces to the target. That energy source is provided by a live cartridge, so having a cartridge installed is essential for the drive-stun to deliver a proper, controlled stimulus. Without a live cartridge, there’s no energy path to power the drive-stun function, making the action unsafe and non-compliant with usage guidelines.

That’s why you must always have a live cartridge when using the DFSG as a drive stun. It wouldn’t be appropriate to claim it can be used with or without a cartridge, and using it if a cartridge is present isn’t supported by the guidelines. The option about being near water isn’t relevant to the fundamental requirement of cartridge presence.