Shocks and babies

Getting an ICD as soon as I decide the time is right - next week or in 3 months. 

 

I survived until now I figure I will last a while longer. 

 

QUESTION

If I have the ICD in and for whatever reason it gives me a shock and I am holding a child or a baby, is it strong enough to harm the baby or child I have contact with?

5 Comments

more of the same

by Uelrindru - 2019-01-22 17:08:29

I'm with Robin1 on this get the device. Your shiny new friend is there to help and waiting is not worth it. You have to be realistic with yourself and facing your own death is hard but you need to take it into account when you make your decisions now and waiting has no upside.

can't help with the shocks traveling, thankfully I never had that issue yet.

ICD and PM as soon as possible

by Selwyn - 2019-01-23 12:20:54

Clint Eastwood says as Dirty Harry, "Are you feeling lucky, punk?"

What makes you think that you will last a bit longer? Insight?

The reason we have PMs and ICDs is to prevent SUDDEN death. 

Death in such circumstances comes without warning ( that's the good bit!)

I was in the fortunate position of walking around carrying  my own defibrillator ( and telling folk around me how to use it in the event of my collapse) during the 48 hours I had to wait for my PM to be inserted.

This summer I lost a good friend due to sudden cardiac death ( he had just turned 40 years old and left behind a 7 yr. old son and partner.) 

Next time may be the last time. 

 

Shocking Reality

by donr - 2019-01-24 01:19:28

It is documented thatDefib shocks can transmit from one person to another. 

It happened in Fla in a hot tub about 4 yrs ago.  In Germany in an ER at about the same time.  I have a personal friend (Is there an impersonal one?) who experienced the phenomenon while working as a cardiac nursse in a private practice in Atlanta at about the same time.  It is published by manufacturers that it can happen.  One of our own members reported that she had a ICD jolt escape her body w/i the last month.  She got a burn on her face & a spit lip from the incident.  No other person was involved.  It takes some special circumstances to have it occur - mainly how dry your skin is when the ICD fires.  Dry skin is a pretty decent insulator - or at least it has a pretty high resistance.  So it is possible for a new baby to get a shock should your ICD fire while you are holding the baby.  How high is the risk, you may ask?  Who knows - we have never heard of it happening to a new born or toddler & lots of women have children while hosting an ICD.  Match the risk w/ that of being struck by lightning or being smacked down by a speeding concrete mixer while steppig off a curb.  Not very probable, in my opinion. 

Donr

Shocking Reality

by Cheryl B - 2019-01-27 22:54:04

I had that same question back in 2010 when I first received my ICD.  I asked the nurse practitioner about it.  I was the "official" baby holder at chuch, and I didn't want to hurt any little ones while I held them.  This is how the nurse answered me.  "Hold the babies.  Enjoy your life."  So hold the babies and enjoy life.  

Cheryl B.

Shocking Reality

by Cheryl B - 2019-01-27 22:54:04

I had that same question back in 2010 when I first received my ICD.  I asked the nurse practitioner about it.  I was the "official" baby holder at chuch, and I didn't want to hurt any little ones while I held them.  This is how the nurse answered me.  "Hold the babies.  Enjoy your life."  So hold the babies and enjoy life.  

Cheryl B.

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