Gas powered tool usage

I had a pacemaker installed about 3 weeks ago and I'm currently in the recovery stage whereby I can't life my left arm over my head for another week or so.
My question is this...once I'm fully recovered, will I be able to utilize a chain saw, leaf blower, weedwacker and lawn mower without any issues? All of these devices have a gas powered engine.

7 Comments

Power tools

by bzam - 2014-01-28 04:01:22

I took in all the specs on my yard tools and power saw when I had my 30 day checkup last week and St. Jude's guy said don't worry about any of that stuff. You can use anything. Mine are electric.

Both he and the cardio have said go and do everything you were doing before.

I asked about reading you where can have an MRI with my model and he said yes, if you really have to have an MRI you can.

If you look

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-28 04:01:36

If you look on this website, you'll see several members of this forum have been able to operate gas powered and all sorts of power equipment without any problems.

We've got people working in power plants with no problems. Another person had a discussion about working on diesel electromotive engines with no problems. So the electrical field given by a small gas engine shouldn't be a problem. Of course I strongly suggest you don't grab the spark plug while it's running.

We have two groups with two different views on this forum. One is the manufacturers of equipment put a lot of CYA verbage in their warranties so if the one-in-a-billion situations happens they can say, "Told ya!" The other way of thinking is you need to pay attention because it might happen. I fall more on the it's CYA side.

I took the magnet from a name tag and laid it on top of my PM. Zilch, nada, nothing. That's a lot more magnetic interference than what you would get from a small gas engine unless, of course, you grabbed the spark plug while it was running.

I'd also stay away from electric fences. My Dad said you could take a blade of grass, lay it on the fence wire and get a tickle. That way you could check to see if it was on or not. As I was looking up at the blue sky trying to figure out why I was lying on the ground, I finally figured out he meant a blade of grass that didn't have morning dew on it. So I treat all electric fences as "ON".

My cardiologist suggested 90 days before doing any heavy pushing or pulling on the PM side. So I wouldn't get into a big hurry to horse the machinery around. Give the leads plenty of time to be incorporated into your body.

Otherwise, vroom, vroom!

Theknotguy

Guidance on Chainsaws...

by donr - 2014-01-28 05:01:05

All the advice given is great stuff.

However, I liked the comment that ElectricFrank made once about chainsaws.

I'll paraphrase him thusly:

When I ran out of chains to saw, I stuck to sawing trees!

Nuff said.

Don

tools

by pace-man - 2014-01-28 05:01:13

Hi, I have a Biotronic brand pace maker, I spoke to my cardiologist about using electric tools, both corded and cordless plus I also asked him about chainsaws and petrol powered tools, I even asked him about using arc welders he said it is ok to use all of those items.
however he said to make sure they don't have any leakage problems and to wear rubber gloves and proper foot wear. I hope this helps. Have a great day. Rick (pace-man)

Thanks!

by Paceman - 2014-01-28 05:01:15

Thanks for all of the great feedback. I feel much better now about using my outdoor power tools once I'm well enough and once the warm weather returns.

warm weather ?

by pace-man - 2014-01-28 06:01:11

Here in Queensland Australia it is +29c today.

Rub it in why don't you.

by mtaylor - 2014-02-22 12:02:17

Ooh, look at me, I'm Australian, it's warm here and I talk funny.

(That was a joke, by the way, nobody take offence)

I draw the line at backpack blowers, but most equipment works just fine for me.

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.