Depends if the slice it along the top prior to frying.
And on the time spent in the fryer. It's no big deal, no need for a medical release form. It's a 'sometimes' food.
In Rutt's Hut they have different names for them depending on what level of 'rip' you want.
If you want 'em as a true 'ripper', they will fry them until they split.
If you want them with barely any fry wrinkles, you ask for an 'in 'n outer'.
And if you want the outside like a pretzel shell, you ask for a 'cremator', which has the outside absolutely crisped up.
They're pretty great.