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The WASP™ Impact Chart was developed in 2007 as a guideline for less-lethal operators who acknowledge, understand, and accept that the chest should not be the first choice aiming point option for impact projectiles.
While we recognize that there are times when the need to shoot the chest is present, based on a balance of need to stop behavior and the chest being the only viable target (i.e. man behind a vehicle and is visible only from chest up, holding a gun to his head), it is prudent to remember that; of the fourteen (14) deaths directly attributed to or caused by impact projectiles, the chest was the aiming point in eleven (11). Ten impacted the chest and one (1) impacted the throat (1).
The WASP™ Impact Chart is reflective of contemporary training methods and contributors to this chart include the course developer and lead instructor of less-lethal programs for the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) and, the Section Chairman and Coordinator of Less Lethal Programs for the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). Agencies are strongly encouraged to acquire less-lethal impact projectile training from an established industry source and place the highest priority on frequent practice in order that the operator establish a clear and consistent understanding of the impact projectiles capabilities and limitations.
Absent exigent or unique circumstances, DO NOT deliver shots to the chest as the first choice aiming point.
1. Hubbs, Ken & Klinger, David “Impact Munitions Data Base of Use and Effects”,
National Institute of Justice, February 2004.
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