Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!ames!ucsd!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hpda!hpcupt1!hpcuhb!hpcllla!hpclisp!hpcljws!jws
From: jws@hpcljws.HP.COM (John Stafford)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: shock box
Message-ID: <560001@hpcljws.HP.COM>
Date: 11 Mar 88 02:14:32 GMT
References: <439@amc-vlsi.UUCP>
Organization: HP ITG/ISD Computer Language Lab
Lines: 15

I wouldn't quite claim it is safe to work at automobile voltage (12V)
levels.  The second factor, current, comes into play here; cars may only
be 12 volts, but there are (especially when starting) quite a few amps
around.

Kids, don't try this at home.  Actually I believe the most dangerous
currents are within a particular range (which I don't remember).  Below
that range there is little danger, above the range is bad, but can
actually be less likely to be fatal (if removed reasonably promptly)
than currents within the range.  Within the range, the current causes
fibrillation (spelling?), above the range it tends to cause the heart to
stay in one state (contracted I believe).  Apparently it is easier to
restart the contracted heart than a fibrillating one.

Keep one hand in your pocket...