Thunder and Lightning!

Hi

As a new pacemaker individual I was wondering if thunder and lightning affects our pacemakers. Probably a ridiculous question but I don't want to take any risks ;-)

Sylvia

5 Comments

Direct Hit not advised

by COBradyBunch - 2011-05-20 01:05:21

But other than that... haven't ever heard of a problem. I found out just how sturdy they are when I got hit by an SUV cycling home from work last summer. The rest of me didn't do that great, but the pacer took a licking and kept on ticking.

Patch

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-20 01:05:58

I thought we were using discretion and not talking about that here.

Definitely not thunder

by Edouard - 2011-05-20 10:05:12

Hi Sylvia
Just to get my facts straight, I looked up the definition of thunder on Wikipedia. It is "the sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning". So thunder by itself does not produce any electro magnetic force which could affect the pacemaker.
I am not a scientist or engineer, but if a pacemaker can resist most forms of electrical interference, I doubt that it would be affected by lightning, unless the wearer is struck directly by a bolt of lightning, in which case, there are issues other than the pacemaker to worry about ;-)
Edouard

nope

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-20 12:05:22

it's fine! I've been near some very close strong strikes and the hair on my arms stood up and I felt funny for a second but I don't know if it's because of the pm or just how close we were. My kids didn't feel it either time so it could have been me, but it was only a second and I felt fine again.

i can relax

by Britt135 - 2011-05-26 04:05:36

I have always wondered the same thing. I used to keep our daughter inside when my husband wanted her to be outside to see the lightening. Now I will be able to calm down and let her watch the show. LOL

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I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.