Pacemaker & tools

[sz0k30]

I may have to get a pacemaker. Did a search on pacemakers & they just seemed to turn into jokefests. Looking for some real experiences. Doing some research and they say: NO welding (I do), if you have a riding mower trade it in for a push mower (I cut about 3 acres), don't work around running engines (so, no trouble shooting or tuneups?), stay away from chainsaws , drills, grinders and on and on. I play with cars & use all the above.

So what is the real story from you guys that have them and actually do work in your garages and use battery & corded power tools?

Thanks.

 

[cvairwerks]

Need to get the straight info from whomever makes the pacemaker you end up with. They're the only ones that can tell you for sure, not even the Dr. doing the implant will have all the data. Different ones have different restrictions. Had a friend with one, and he could stick and MiG all he wanted, but no TiG.....

 

[pattenp]

I've had a PM for 16 years and it's not stopped me from welding, there are guidelines to follow. Nothing else has caused problems, such as backpak leaf blower, chainsaw, etc.. The medical people will always go to the extreme to cover themselves. I have a MRI safe PM and if a MRI won't cause problems I don't know what will. I've also gone through regular metal detectors with no issues. I lead my life as normal as possible, just don't do something extreme where your PM could take a direct hit such as playing hockey.

 

[BrandonV]

Usually during pacemaker surgeries there should be a technician or engineer from the company that designed the pacemaker as they monitor and tune it after the surgery in recovery.

They will know all the answers.

Grinders, drills, etc.? Pneumatic might be a PITA but it will let you keep working. Most of the things you called out they have a distance they want you to stay away (6", 12", etc...) not discontinue use completely.

 

[HenryAZ]

I received my pacemaker this year, made by Medtronic. What cvairwerks said is the gospel. I got a pamphlet with mine that made gave some general restrictions, and two definite no-nos: arc welding and chain saws. I further spoke with a Medtronic representative, who told me that, generally speaking, anything you can plug into a 15amp outlet should be safe. Magnetic fields are the danger here, and motors generate them. Other areas of concern are RF (do no carry your cell phone in your shirt pocket, right next to the device), and powerful electric fields. Also, a lawnmower is OK if you are 6+" distant from the spark plug. Different brands of pacemakers may have other "rules". The Medtronic guy also said you should be able to feel interference as a generalized weakness/dizziness. Get away from that source.

 

[KEH]

I just had one installed. I asked doctor about welding, he said small home type was ok. My chainsaw days are over because of balance issues, so no issue there. I hadn.t heard about the cell phone in the shirt pocket thing., will ask doctor. I can use a belt holster or put it in a pants pocket, thanks.

KEH

 

[bsakal]

I'm on my second Medtronic pacemaker. My electrophysiologist told me absolutely no welding, as the magnetic field at the welding arc can set off the defibrillator. I asked a Medtronic rep and they said the same thing, but one thing they mentioned was the occasional spot weld would probably be ok, continuous bead welding would definitely put me on my ****.

 

[Zeke]

I thought I had read that you can wear a simple Faraday cage and do whatever you want. Turn out reading a little tells me again a little knowledge can be dangerous. The specific key word is shielding. That's a pretty deep subject but suffice to say distance from the source is important. So for the spark plug I'd just get some lead foil and cover that part of the engine. Or at least between you and the plug.

Welding seems to be OK under 130 amps and 2 feet away from the arc as well as as far away from any transformer welder as you can get. Again, welders sometimes use a lead lined drape at the bottom of the helmet to cover their neck and thyroid. Turns out there is no foil lined jacket listed FS online. Sounds like a business opportunity. Although a good leather jacket should do a lot.

One thing that is mentioned is wearing moist clothing. You don't want to be welding wet anyway.

 

[ZRX61]

Not sure how working on a running engine where you're standing next to it is any different than driving the vehicle while you sit next to the engine...?

 

[slowtwitch73]

Thought this was going be about a well accessorized lathe.

 

[pattenp]

There is not one answer to fit all pacemakers. As I stated earlier I have a mri safe pacemaker. The brand is Medtronics and is a non-defibrilator type so mine maybe less sensitive to magnetic fields. I've welded and also have used a plasma cutter and never noticed any effects. I do follow the recommended ways to use welders having a pacemaker. I guess I'm living on the edge by driving a hybrid car with all the electrical stuff running.

 

[jonesg]

the magneto ignition in a 2 stroke chainsaw might be the problem, CDI might be better.
marine outboards would be a problem too.
maybe I'll invent a simple device to alert the user to strong magnetic fields, call it a uhh...compass.

 

[KEH]

Went back today, had bandage removed, nurse said looked fine. I can go back to taking showers. Pacemaker is on left side, she said to store cell phone in right shirt pocket or pants pocket. Power tools were ok to use.
Glad a poster mentioned cell phones, thanks again.

KEH

 

[Wrencher 160]

There is a pacemaker that the mfg. says you can weld. Forgot the name but it should be findable.

 

[jonesg]

There is a pacemaker that the mfg. says you can weld. Forgot the name but it should be findable.

it wouldn't be difficult to make them with internal shielding.

 

[KansasArt]

it wouldn't be difficult to make them with internal shielding.

The number of pacemakers installed every year has to be around 150,000. Just wag, but I do work in healthcare. To have the manufacture get a pacemaker approved by the FDA for these activities would cost many tens or hundreds of millions yet the % of these individuals getting a pacemaker and participating in these activities would probably be < 1 or 2 %. Not cost effective.

 

[My Old Tools]

It's never about whether you can do it, its about wether they will invest in testing to prove you can do it. Rather than invest in testing, they just write rules to say no. It's called CYA.

Same thing with chemicals and such. 2,4-D isn't approved for aquatic use if you buy it at HD for $7. If you buy the $85 aquatic approved stuff and read the active ingredients, its 2, 4-D, but it had the tests.