Power equipment

Got my PM two days ago. Been reading this ant that . All info I can find. Thru most of the info I have read it states it is ok to use electrical weedeaters and edgers and such. But highly dont recommend mowers, gas chainsaws, or other gas machinery. Has anyone else read or know if this is true. Since my job is a Grounds keeper it is real important to me. I dont meet with my Dr for another three weeks. anyone got a comment

9 Comments

ask but should be ok

by Tracey_E - 2014-07-31 09:07:54

Rule of thumb is keep the device 6" from anything questionable so you can use it, just don't strap it to your back. Don't go by what you read online, when in doubt call the manufacturer. They can tell you restrictions for your specific device. The list is usually pretty short.

Something to keep in mind, even if something interferes, it is not going to do damage. There is a little switch in the device. A magnet pulls that switch closed and puts it in test mode, that's what they do when they interrogate it. As soon as you get away from the magnet, the switch opens and it goes back to full function with no harm done. So, worst case, you get too close to something questionable and feel funny until you get away from it. It's annoying, not dangerous.

Call them

by Lurch - 2014-07-31 09:07:57

I agree, call your device manufacturer.

I had to call Bioltronik for something and they were extremely helpful. I found it amazing in this day of poor customer service that I only have to give my name once to the first person who answered. When she transferred me, very quickly, the next person had my information already in front of her.

I use a small residential blower all the time, but before using one of the commercial models that you wear I would make the call.

Good luck!

Also remember

by KAG - 2014-07-31 12:07:41

that the lawyers write the cautions and they are good at it. I think most will tell you to not use anything electrical or motor operated as a CYA. Also there is lots of old info out there. Today's devices are pretty well shielded.

I like the "keep it 6 inches away from device" rule of thumb. Though I have violated it and it's been OK. If you feel funny then just carefully back away.

If you have Rate Response turned On, to take over for a faulty sinus node, then you could get an unwanted HR increase due to the vibrations. I really think this is the reason for the cautions on gas operated devices like chain saws.

Of course you and everyone should make sure that things have good wiring and insulation and be properly grounded. That's a good rule for those with and without PM's.

Kathy

Most of the info is misleading

by Theknotguy - 2014-08-01 07:08:30

Have my PM for 10 months now. Back up to 90% of what I was doing pre PM. Have been around all sorts of electrical and mechanical equipment. The newer PM's don't have the problems as the older. As I get stronger, I feel I'll be able to do 99.999% of what I did before I had the PM. (They won't let me lift 90 pound 4x8 sheets of wood as I may exceed the 100 pound per shoulder limit - and I'm not arguing about it.)

Oh, yeah, most of the info I got about the PM (probably 80%) was wrong. Did get some good info from the PM manufacturer but a lot of the doctors, nurses, and medical people just give out bad info. So you hear something, then check against what the manufacturer says, then check against what you've personally experienced.

Jumped the battery on my daughter-in-law's car a couple of months back. PM manual says you're not supposed to do that. No problems as I was leaning over two different running car engines. In fact I was telling someone about jumping the car the next day when I realized I wasn't supposed to do that.

Have gone back to working the the woodshop. No problems with the equipment. Can run drills, saws, sanders, etc. Most of the problems I have are finding out I pinched the PM against my shoulder and am sore the next day.

Am mowing the lawn. Had the mower break and had to re-start the engine several times. Was several feet back from the engine - no problems.

Also don't have problems with security equipment at airports, stores, etc. Even had a yo-yo use a wand on me in the UK (I live in the USA) with no problems. Guy walked up and ran the wand over me before I could say anything. But since he was a security guy and a p.i.t.a., I decided not to get into an argument since I was a long way from home. Although I can't repeat what I thought about the SOB. No problems with the PM.

Anyway, after you get past the one month mandatory no use of arm on PM side, you should be able to do about 99% of what you did before. If you do something like pull the leads or do something to affect the PM, you'll know about it immediately.

Start working on your rehab. It really helps. Hang in there. Life does get better.

Starting pull strings

by enterprisesmd - 2014-08-01 09:08:05

couple of years ago a older friend even a month after the operation. was trying to pull start a lawnmower cord and he pulled the leads out trying to start the mower by pulling the string. that is kinda what Im afraid pf

energy levels

by enterprisesmd - 2014-08-01 09:08:21

4 days after PM my energy levels are all over the place. feel great then feel drain shortly after words. no real meds other than the antibiotics. is this norm or am I rushing things

Day 7

by enterprisesmd - 2014-08-05 12:08:32

Still having troubles sleeping in a bed, can feel the scaring pulling a little if I roll over. Put arm in sling to keep from using it but makes my arm uncomfortable. I was told three to four weeks min. not to use. then no more than 5lbs of lifting with eighter arm for another month. Is this the same advice you are getting.... I read the mrg.. factory specs on most of the commercial weedeaters. They all save the same thing not recommend use if you have a pm. but the backpack blowers and chain saws warn not at all. I will see Medronic Reps on the 25th and maybe they can clearfy.. I know there are some they have no problems with it. I use them about 10 hours out of a day for work. So that is why Im hung on this topic

Chainsaws

by hillcountryjim - 2016-04-09 02:04:25

I had a dual lead St. Jude pacemaker since 2010. I cut 4 to 6 cords of firewood per year and trim the property trees with a Husquavarna electric 416E chainsaw and a battery driven electric pruner chainsaw. I sometimes power the Husq. with a small gas generator and have gotten extremely short of breath when I got too close to the generator for too long (headed for pass out). My cardiologist has told me the date and time when I got too close at my next appointment because the pacemaker reads it as electrical interference on the top lead going to the heart (the pacemaker may be shielded but the leads aren't). I would never consider operating a gas powered chainsaw or other gas driven, hand held item. I don't buy bargain electrics with minimal shielding. I don't climb and operate my saws. I stay 5 feet away from the gas generator except for a quick start/stop. I keep my arms extended with the saw and away from the pacemaker. I carry a folding lawn chair and take lots of breaks and don't rush. I drink lots of water to keep hydrated and my blood electrolytes balanced to prevent V Tach. I spend a lot of time sitting in my chair, sipping water and listening to the birds and enjoying the beautiful day, and cutting a little wood in the process. I quit when I get tired, even if I am not finished. I keep in mind that the installation on a pacemaker costs over $300,000, so I treat it like a fine Mercedes.

Wood Splitters

by hillcountryjim - 2016-04-09 03:04:24

I had a dual lead St. Jude pacemaker since 2010 and upgraded to a CRT-D two months ago. I use a 20 ton splitting capacity Oregon wood splitter with no problems, except dehydration on one very hot summer day last year when I didn't quit when I should have (V-tach episode the next day, which was bad). I keep the gas engine in perfect working condition and don't fiddle with the engine while it is running. I turn the switch to on, pull start the engine, and get away from that side of the wood splitter. The Oregon is set up so the operator is on the other side of the unit, well away from the engine. When I have to adjust or add fuel, I first flip the switch off and kill the engine. I bought the optional wood rest so the wood is easy to manage while I am feeding it into the splitter. I am careful and plan the work flow so I pull the wood off the Kawasaki Mule split it, then chuck it right on the wagon to go to the stacking area, so it is not piled up around the engine. I don't rush, but I can split with little effort and normal speed. I take lots of breaks and quit as soon as I feel tired. I would not operate a wood splitter with the engine on the same side as the splitting controls.

You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

Member Quotes

I am not planning on letting any of this shorten my life. I am planning on living a long happy battery operated life. You never know maybe it will keep me alive longer. I sure know one thing I would have been dead before starting school without it.