EMF problem

I am an electric welder who recently received a pacemaker. I am looking for a type of material which will shield me from the harmful effects of EMF while welding. All I could find out from Medtronic is to stay at least two feet away from the tip. Is there any welder in the club with a pacemaker with more information who can help me with this problem .
augg1932@charter.net

2 Comments

Hi

by Bionic Beat - 2015-12-06 04:12:03

Arc-electrode (Carmen Electrode) has some information about welding with pacemakers and ICDs but they suggest you talk to your doctor for a definitive answer.

If you use the search engine here, you will find more information also.

Good luck.

Several welders

by Theknotguy - 2015-12-06 04:12:08

We have several welders who have been on the forum. But they usually don't stay on for long. Your best bet is to use the search feature and see if you can contact the people directly.

I don't weld, but we've had MIG, TIG, and Arc welders. PJinSC works in a power plant and his brother is doing ARC welding. You might want to try to contact PJinSC direct.

Mostly what I've been able to glean is that you need to make sure everything is well grounded before striking the arc. Take that one extra step to make sure everything is being done correctly and not to cut corners. None have said anything about wearing a vest other than the standard clothing you wear while welding.

Unfortunately doctors don't have a clue about welding and a lot of machine shop stuff. So they take the conservative route because they don't want to get into a lawsuit.

My EP didn't know to warn me about being on two different drugs to slow the heart to control afib. Went back to the wood shop and took up where I left off. After sticking both thumbs in the table saw, I took myself off any saw activity.

What they didn't know was the drugs slowed my reaction time. Got a little too close to the blade. The blade grabbed the wood and pulled my hand into the saw in both cases. Now I'm off all saws. Not enthusiastic about leaving fingers on the table.

Same for working around power equipment. So if you've got afib and are on afib drugs, you'll need to be extra careful.

One last thing, no one has come back to report findings. I'd really like to know what kind of welding you're doing and how you get along. There's so much misinformation out there. Would like to hear from someone who is doing welding and how it's going.

Hope everything else goes well for you.

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.