Pacemaker

[MSfarmer]

I know that this is a sensative question and I am asking if anyone has any experience bad or good welding after a pacemaker installation? Just had a Pacemaker installed(Medtronics 500) and it appears to be working as advertised. In their manual they do not recommend ARC welding or using a gas powered chain saw. My question is: does anyone have any experience welding after a pacemaker installation. I have a 110 volt flux core system. My Doctor seems to think it would be OK because of the low amperage. I only hobby weld and simple repairs to farm equipment. I suspect their restrictions are for big high amperage units and they include the statement to CYA.

[Franz]

Well, bout 20 years back I knew a fellow with one that comitted suicide by holding a 100# trash retreival magnet over his pacemaker, but I think the newer models won't react to magnetism the way the older ones did.
Also seems like as long as you don't hang your cable directly over the pacemaker, and aren't using Hi Freq, you should be allright.
You could probably do a Google search for pacemaker + welding, and get a lot of information.

[Planet X]

You can always go retro check out this site lots of gas welding info here,' lectricity' not needed.

http://www.tinmantech.com/index.html

[Scott V]

Your doctor seems to think it's ok?In this case I would ask the doctor either you know or you don't know.No middle ground!I think I would take up gas welding myself.It's a great skill to have.

[Guest]

Welcome to the forum...there's a lot to be gained here.

I fried the chip in my car remote just by laying the torch cable across my lap and hitting the foot pedal. They couldn't even reprogram it...cost me $180 for a new one. That was hi freq that did it. I'd get a second opinion on that, my friend.

[boilerman]

this maybe what your looking for

http://www.medtronic.com/rhythms/Education/weldinga56.html

[Hobart Expert Rock]

MSFARMER..........I WOULD NOT EVEN WANT TO GUESS........ GET A SECOND OPINION, THEN CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PACEMAKER............. THIS IS CALLED BE SAFE........... YOU CAN STILL BE IN METAL WORKING OXYGEN/ACCETALYENE........ GET A BUNCH OF PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS FROM THE DOCTORS AND MANUFACTURER OF THE PACEMAKER.........THEY WILL KNOW FOR SURE.........WELCOME ABOARD......................................BE SAFE NOW..........................ROCK
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[cope]

Straight from the Medtronics site. This is if you want to weld in spite of their precautions.

Welding

Limit welding current to a 60 to 130 ampere range.
Work in a dry area with dry gloves and shoes.
Keep the welding cables close together and as far away as possible from your pacemaker or ICD. Place the welding unit away from the work area.
Connect the ground clamp to the metal as close to the point of welding as possible. Arrange the work so the handle and rod will not contact the metal being welded if they are accidentally dropped.
Wait several seconds between attempts when having difficulty starting a weld.
Work in an area that offers firm footing and plenty of room for movement.
Work with an informed person who understands these suggestions.
Immediately stop welding and step away from the area if you start feeling light-headed, dizzy, or you believe your ICD has delivered a shock.

[Arbo]

God...I hope I never need a pacemaker. I don't know what I would do with myself if I had to quit welding. There are other things I'm capable of doing, but none I enjoy quite as much as making sparks.

[cope]

Originally posted by Arbo
God...I hope I never need a pacemaker. I don't know what I would do with myself if I had to quit welding. There are other things I'm capable of doing, but none I enjoy quite as much as making sparks.

Also shooting big bore rifles and shotguns is a no-no. Many shooters force the Surgeon (at gun point?) to implant on the left side of the chest to minimize the effects of recoil.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

GOOD I'M SAFE TO GO I WRITE RIGHT HANDED BUT SHOOT LEFT HANDED..........HMMMMMMMMM.......WHAT'S UP WITH THAT.......... ROCK.............................................. ..........
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[cope]

Originally posted by Hobart Expert Rock
GOOD I'M SAFE TO GO I WRITE RIGHT HANDED BUT SHOOT LEFT HANDED..........HMMMMMMMMM.......WHAT'S UP WITH THAT.......... ROCK.............................................. ..........
[email protected]

Left eye dominant? I know several people like that.

[Mike Sherman]

MSfarmer, please take up another hobby. I cannot imagine welding with a pacemaker, especially when the manufacturer has suggested not to. Can you really be considering leaving your wife a widow at this point in your life? My first wife passed away at a very young age and I would never do anything intentionally that may put someone through that. Bring your welding jobs to someone else, heck bring them to me, I will do them for free.

[Scott V]

Mike that was a very nice thing to say,about bringing the welds jobs to you. I really think you can have lots of fun O/A welding just so you can do something to do with welding.Also not every body in the world can master it,but fun to try.

[Bob]

MSfarmer

What a bummer dude!!! Have to give up electric welding because of a pacemaker.

I would fight it ... safely and with caution and back up.

Research and learn about what your specific condition involves. Also involve a spouse, close friend, or significant other. (I'm a commited hermit ... this part can be hard, my wife is good at it).

In both the Medtronics cautions, the pace maker gets confused; either sets the pace when it shouldn't or de-fib's (a shock) when it shouldn't.

Most of the modern devices can "talk" and "obey" communications with an external machine. Maybe you could get an external device to turn down the thresholds when you are welding. Pardon the expression, but with a "dead man swith" to put things back if you get into trouble.

I saw a partially finished kit plane (lots of tig welding) for sale on ebay because the seller could not continue "because of health reasons". Hope that was not you.

work with it
carefully
Bob