Travel to France

I have had my pacemaker for two years and have travelled throughout the US and Canada. In a few days, my wife and I will go to France (Tauck tour).  This will involve time in Paris and onto Normandy on a Seine river cruise.  I am experienced with what to encounter at airports with my pacemaker but we will also visit historic places in Paris and along the cruise route.  Any suggestions on what I might encounter when entering such places and when leaving and returning to the river cruise boat (I have taken larger cruise tours but not with my pacemaker and always had to go through a "walk through" security set-up when returning to ship)?  We will have a tour guide to whom I will inform of my pacemaker.  Thanks, Novice

6 Comments

Don't worry about pacemaker

by Gotrhythm - 2017-05-22 15:15:25

In my experience, traveling with a pacemaker, whether in America or abroad, is in no way different than traveling without one.

I've gone though the x-ray thingies and I've been wanded. Didn't hurt the pacemaker at all. Felt exactly the same. I always have me card on me, but I've never needed to produce it.

If you'll allow me to give you a advice you didn't ask for, don't fall for the notion that having a pacemaker makes you in some way more fragile than you were before. You're not. In fact, you are in far less danger of your heart stopping suddenly than someone who doesn't have a pacemaker.

Beccause of pacemakers, you've been given a chance at a normal life that people 60 years ago didn't get.Pacemakers are tough little creatures. Let the pacemaker set you free, not give you something else to worry about.

 

I traveled all over the place

by Jax - 2017-05-22 21:54:46

My EP had told me that the wand should only be near pacemaker for a short time so that's what I tell whoever is doing the security check.     I travel with my card and the only time I had a problem was in Cape Cod.   

Travel

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-05-23 07:15:35

Last fall I traveled to Iceland, England, Spain and Portugal and a 2 week cruise without incident.  As a precaution I did always show my PM card and was checked by wand, patted down or just waved through at entries with security.   Security people were all courteous and knew what to do. You should find the same situation in France.

Some PM recipients say they walk through the normal security stalls but I did not want to take a chance and cause my wife or myself undue problems since I am 100% PM dependent. I caused her enough stress with my faintings prior to the PM.

We are better off with the PM than many people walking around with unknown heart problems. A PM is an enhancement not a hindrance. 

Hope you have a great trip.

France

by IAN MC - 2017-05-23 12:37:22

Hi Novice.     I'm not sure why you think France should be any different to the U.S. or Canada if you have a pacemaker.    Over 4 million people now have pacemakers.   These are spread around the civilised world and France has its fair share.

I have a house in France. It is a very civilised country with a superb medical system . As in other countries some tourist attractions have metal detectors at their entrances . They are all very accustomed to admitting people with pacemakers . As in any other country , you would declare that you have a PM and then be shown round the side where they may or not use a wand.  You will not be the first !!

Would you not find it odd if someone from France posted on here asking if it is safe to go to the U.S. with a pacemaker ?

Enjoy your trip I know you will

Ian

Hi Novice............................

by Tattoo Man1 - 2017-05-23 16:30:29

.........................Those familiar to PM Club are used to me trailing behind IAN MC regarding postings...SO...FRANCE...

1  For those who have never been there........quite possibly the most maddening / gorgeuous / faux-stylish place in the world.

2 A nation dedicated to making even the simplest of functions a FORM FILLING CAPITAL OF EUROPE..

3  A nation that you can embrace for all its truly wonderful qualities..too many to list....

4  But One Rule...and IAN MC will endorse this ...Politesse...look it up.

5  To be an English Speaker, in the Boulangerie, or th Britse Patisserie, NEVER, forget that politeness is DE RIGEUR....Formality is the norm....a little nod to 'Madame' or 'Monsieur' will separate you from those coarse brits

My Mum was Flandrian French....

TATTOO  MAN

late

by The real Patch - 2017-05-25 17:54:02

sorry I'm late to the game so you've probably already gone forth and this advice won't help...still

1. Take a voltage converter for your pacemaker. They use 220/240V over there. If you plug in your pacemaker it'll run at twice speed unless you use a converter.

2. Reset the time clock on your Pacemaker. France is probably about 9 hours ahead so that'll be 9 hours you aren't paced unless you set your pacers clock ahead

4. Install a translator in your pacer, otherwise when they interrogate they won't understand what your device is saying.

4. have a great time and stop worrying France is great

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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