Snowboarding

I haven't been snowboarding since I had my pacemaker/defib installed in 2005. I love Snowshoe Mtn., and want to get my kids into it also. I am looking for some type of padding device that can be worn just over my left pectoral area. This will take some fear out of causing problems with my device by falling. I usually don't fall very often anyway, but crashes can't always be avoided. If anyone has any ideas I would surely appreciate it.

6 Comments

Padding

by agelbert - 2011-01-10 09:01:37

It's just a thought but the catcher's vest (a modified version for chest only) comes to mind. Also the hockey goalie has some nice protection.Depending on your PM placement, football shoulder pads might do the trick. They cover a significant area of the upper chest.

Wondering

by Creaky - 2011-01-10 11:01:12

I've had my PM since Sept 2010. I'm a skier and was concerned about the same issue. What I decided was that the clothing layers I wear to ski are thick enough to cushion the PM should I fall. Fortunately that doesn't happen very often and hasn't happened yet, but I'm really not worried about it.
As you know, the worst thing you can do in skiing and I presume riding is to be too careful. Really messes up the timing and rhythm.

never bothered

by Tracey_E - 2011-01-10 11:01:41

I don't snowboard but I ski. I figure the clothing we wear is more than enough padding to prevent a sharp hit to the device, and most falls we don't land on our chests anyway. So, I've never bothered! Have fun and don't worry about it.

If you really want a shirt, there is a company that makes them specifically for that. It's meant for full contact sports like football. I'm blanking on the name but if you do a search of the past posts here it should come right up. The owner of the co is a member here.

Im a skier!

by admin - 2011-01-11 01:01:19

RollTide,

I don't board (leave that to my sons), but do ski lots. I've never seen the need for a protector. I have taken some nasty falls and my device keeps on working.

I encourage you to hit the slopes this winter, especially with your kids. Its a great family event.

Blake

Pacemakers are rugged.

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-11 12:01:19

I took a splat while climbing over rocks in the desert. I landed with my big digital SLR camera between the ground and my pacer. Except for a minor bruise over the pacer neither it nor the camera were damaged. In fact when I had the pacer replaced for low battery last year I asked to have the old one. It's here on my desk now and there isn't a dent in it.

I think the idea of heavy clothes offering protection is a good one, unless you are doing some real aggressive boarding.

frank

Thanks for the help!

by RollTide - 2011-01-13 08:01:07

After reading everyone's comments I found the "Paceguard" shirt with the padding. That will help me to make it out to Snowshoe without worrying about falling. I'm ready to pull out the ol Sims snowboard and make tracks.
Thanks again to everyone who commented.

You know you're wired when...

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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.