Pacemaker

[FJRay]

The hits just keep coming. I get a pacemaker the 17th. Anybody here got any experience with one of these???

One concern for me is I do a fair amount of welding and seems to be a bit of an issue for the device. Wouldn't want to strike an arc and shut myself off or go into warp drive.

 

[PJ4863]

https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/electromagnetic-guide/frequently-asked-questions.html

Apparently using a chainsaw while welding for 160amps is a recipe for disaster. There's some tips on the page. the pacemaker itself is more robust than you think.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Damn, FJRay. I'd say it sucks, but the alternative probably sucks worse.

 

[juniorfjr]

My wife is on her third one. It has been uneventful and helpful. The only thing I do remember is welders could be bad for it. When I fire up the welder, she goes shopping. Maybe she's just using it as an excuse now.

 

[Tyler]

My stepdad has one... easy peasy. You need some help with that big heart of yours! :wub:

 

[Larry33319]

I read in the Kawasaki Concours manual that you should not use their key fob within 9 feet of a pacemaker. But you own an FJR so it should not matter. Just be a bit selective in choosing your riding buddies.

 

[Fontanaman]

My stepdad has one... easy peasy. You need some help with that big heart of yours!

+1. Plus I will add the mental image of Ray going into warp drive was amusing. Imagine Ray going where no man has gone before. Whooo hoo.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Imagine Ray going where no man has gone before. Whooo hoo.

That's not hard.

Ray, what about trying a Power Commander? Or send Patti to welding school?

 

[JamesW]

I believe cell phones should be kept a distance from those things. My neighbor has had one for over a year and she runs around doing gardening and stuff with no problems.

 

[mcatrophy]

Sister-in-law has one. Mustn't go near an induction hob when it's on. She had to change her hob to gas, hates it, much preferred the induction. She's spending a lot of time at my house while my BH is unwell, and since we have induction hob, I have to do the cooking, a potential disaster.

And, to add to what JamesW said, she's been told to use her cellphone on her right to keep it away from the pacemaker and its wires (it's the wires going the heart that pick up the electrical interference, not so much the pacemaker itself).

 

[08FJR4ME]

I believe welding is out. Don't use any induction coils in the vicinity either. One of my guys at work has had one for many years. He does well and it has never gone off from what he tells me. If it does your going to know it for sure.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[n2osx]

Dammit Ray. Always about the gadgets!

 

[Pterodactyl]

We should all be thankful we live in a time where such devices are available. My neighbor has lived with a pacemaker/defibulator as well as a replacement mitral valve for over 40 years. He's active and enjoying life, just as I hope you shall be. Ride the hell out of that Wing.

 

[eflyguy]

My best friend had two - he outlived the (battery in the) first one. Did not slow him down one bit. I'd say be thankful we live in times when these things are commonplace..

 

[HotRodZilla]

A friend of mine who used to shoot USPSA has one. Used to shoot a compensated Glock 9mm, I think. One day he was shooting a stage and came to a sudden jolting stop. That thing pulsed him, and he said it hurt like Hell. His doc said he thought the PM was picking up the pulses from the gun, thought something was wrong, and tried to fix it. He continued shooting for a while, and got popped again a few months later.

That was the last time I saw him on a pistol range. Now he shoots Trap and Sporting Clays. Hasn't had an issue in 5 years.

 

[PJ4863]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="HotRodZilla" data-cid="1361749" data-time="1492050987"><p>

A friend of mine who used to shoot USPSA has one. Used to shoot a compensated Glock 9mm, I think. One day he was shooting a stage and came to a sudden jolting stop. That thing pulsed him, and he said it hurt like Hell. His doc said he thought the PM was picking up the pulses from the gun, thought something was wrong, and tried to fix it. He continued shooting for a while, and got popped again a few months later.<br />

<br />

That was the last time I saw him on a pistol range. Now he shoots Trap and Sporting Clays. Hasn't had an issue in 5 years.</p></blockquote>

Sounds like a lead issue. They're not supposed to fire unless a certain rate has been reached. When the leads have breaks in them movement often triggers a shock. The support groups are filled with people with PSTD from those rings going off. The interference of the welder is going to have a higher hertz and set it off.

 

[Pterodactyl]

In the past we've had weapons known as "Peacemakers". A pistol and ICBM come to mind. Now, with the aging of America, it seems appropriate for our next big weapon system to be known as "The Pacemaker". Ray, you are a trend setter; now all the cool kids will want a hybrid ignition system.

 

[FJRay]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="HotRodZilla" data-cid="1361749" data-time="1492050987"><p>A friend of mine who used to shoot USPSA has one. Used to shoot a compensated Glock 9mm, I think. One day he was shooting a stage and came to a sudden jolting stop. That thing pulsed him, and he said it hurt like Hell. His doc said he thought the PM was picking up the pulses from the gun, thought something was wrong, and tried to fix it. He continued shooting for a while, and got popped again a few months later.<br />

<br />

That was the last time I saw him on a pistol range. Now he shoots Trap and Sporting Clays. Hasn't had an issue in 5 years.</p></blockquote>

Sounds like a lead issue. They're not supposed to fire unless a certain rate has been reached. When the leads have breaks in them movement often triggers a shock. The support groups are filled with people with PSTD from those rings going off. The interference of the welder is going to have a higher hertz and set it off.

I'm certainly not an expert on this but a pacemaker just sets the pace based on programming and a welder May interrupt function but will not cause a shock and the unit will return to normal once the welding stops . There are lots of reports of people welding with no adverse effects so time will tell. A defibrillator on the other hand will shock you back into reality. According to Bust it will "Slap your balls off your chin" . They are two different devices.

 

[FJRay]

In the past we've had weapons known as "Peacemakers". A pistol and ICBM come to mind. Now, with the aging of America, it seems appropriate for our next big weapon system to be known as "The Pacemaker". Ray, you are a trend setter; now all the cool kids will want a hybrid ignition system.

I've never been accused of being a trend setter other than being a bit blunt and sarcastic

. I look forward to my new role in setting the standard for the cool kids.