I'm getting a pacemaker!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Thanks all for the replies.

I did speak to the specialist installing the pacemaker and she said no welding, other than that she didn't see a problem. I figured I'd ask others using shop tools what they were told to avoid. She also said it WILL be installed on my left, won't install it on my right side which is a problem for me since I shoot trap and am left handed/left eye dominate. Guess I'll be selling a few shotguns or having a recoil reduction system installed.

David, make sure you tell the doctor/nurse as soon as possible that you are a left handed shooter and would like to have the pacemaker installed in a different location. I don't know but they might have a different cable length available that would accommodate your situation. If told in advance, they might be able to get a device that would allow it to happen.

[Roger Feeley]

Interesting problem. I wonder if there is a market for shop coats with imbedded copper mesh. Sort of a body Farraday cage

[Bill Dufour]

I am sure they meant electric welding only. Gas welding should be fine.
Bill D

[Rick Potter]

I also had a pacemaker for my A-Fib for about 6 or 7 years, which was replaced with a new one a year ago. I specifically asked both the doctor and the Boston Scientific pacemaker rep about power tools. They said the only thing I had (full WW shop) that I could not use was my wire welder.

I again asked the same questions when I got the new pacemaker a year ago, and it is even better. I now have a monitor that sends reports directly to the doctors. It sits next to my computer, and sends out a report periodically, without me even knowing it.

Gave the welder to my son, and I sure miss it. That is the ONLY change I made to my working with tools.

The only other thing they told me is to not carry my cell phone in my shirt pocket.

Hope this helps.

[Myk Rian]

I also had a pacemaker for my A-Fib for about 6 or 7 years, which was replaced with a new one a year ago. I specifically asked both the doctor and the Boston Scientific pacemaker rep about power tools. They said the only thing I had (full WW shop) that I could not use was my wire welder.

I again asked the same questions when I got the new pacemaker a year ago, and it is even better. I now have a monitor that sends reports directly to the doctors. It sits next to my computer, and sends out a report periodically, without me even knowing it.

Gave the welder to my son, and I sure miss it. That is the ONLY change I made to my working with tools.

The only other thing they told me is to not carry my cell phone in my shirt pocket.

Hope this helps.

Pretty much the same here. My Medtronic monitor sits on the chest of drawers in the bedroom. It connects to a cell tower to send reports.
I wonder how much insurance pays for the rental of them.

[Donald G. Burns]

Well, I'm out of the hospital and the Medtronic pacemaker is on my left side since the specialist insisted it must go on the left. Somehow I don't think she's a gun fan or at least doesn't shoot - no tears for my loss, in any case. I was told by the Medtronic rep that I'll need to avoid magnets from now on. Or anything that creates large magnetic fields. Table saw is okay as long I try to stay more than about a foot to 18" from the motor. (and other motors too, I guess) Thanks for all the feedback.

[Myk Rian]

I think he may have overstated the precautions, just a bit for CYA.
If yours is the small size, like a silver dollar with 1 or 2 leads, I would give it several months for healing.
Then make a judgement call on it. My third one is the size of a flat computer mouse with 4 wires. It would be a no-go for me if I was a lefty.

If yours is a defib device, you do not want to get hit by it. I got hit by what felt like a bolt of lightening going through me. Just once, and I'm glad I sat down before I got it.

During your next visit, ask them if it is programmable to beep when you get in an unsafe condition.

[Donald G. Burns]

Yeah, mine's got the defib in it and I think it's the large size. Seems larger than a silver dollar. I was warned about getting zapped by it while driving. Doesn't sound like fun.

I think he may have overstated the precautions, just a bit for CYA.
If yours is the small size, like a silver dollar with 1 or 2 leads, I would give it several months for healing.
Then make a judgement call on it. My third one is the size of a flat computer mouse with 4 wires. It would be a no-go for me if I was a lefty.

If yours is a defib device, you do not want to get hit by it. I got hit by what felt like a bolt of lightening going through me. Just once, and I'm glad I sat down before I got it.



During your next visit, ask them if it is programmable to beep when you get in an unsafe condition.

[Myk Rian]

Yours is the mid size like my second one w/3 leads. That's the one that got me. That one may not like a gun. Your call.
If this new one of mine was lower, I'd have a nice boob.

[Rich Enders]

My Medtronic was installed one year ago due to a low heart rate. The cardio showed me quite a line-up (like 6 or more) of different pacemaker types, and said with mine I did not have to be concerned about things like cell phones, or airport screeners or the other (older) causes that were evident with pacemakers.