Protection

I am a nurse who sees many pacer patients. I am curious-is there any type of protective shield that can be used so a patient can use power tools,etc.? Any info would be helpful! Thanks!

3 Comments

From Medtronic.

by Stepford_Wife - 2007-06-28 11:06:58

I pulled this from the Medtronic web site. I hope it helps.

Guidelines: Home and Work

As people with pacemakers go about their daily lives, most household and workplace appliances, tools, and equipment can be used with minimal or no precautions. However, heavy electrical or industrial equipment may interfere with how a pacemaker works.

The built-in features of your pacemaker protect it from most interference encountered in normal daily activities.

* Safe from interference. Many household appliances, office equipment, and electric yard tools are unlikely to interfere with a pacemaker when they are used as intended:
o Telephones including cordless and hand-held cellular phones
o Remote controls including those for television, radio, video, garage door, and vehicles
o Household appliances
o Office equipment and large electric yard tools
o Hand-held appliances and hand-held electric yard tools

* Possible Interference. With safety measures, interference may be prevented or minimized.
o In general, the motor of home power tools should be kept several inches away from a pacemaker and its leads.
o The antenna of ham radio, walkie-talkies, and citizen band (CB) radio transmitters must also be kept a certain distance from a pacemaker.

* Interference Likely. Using chain saws, arc welding, and industrial equipment that uses large amounts of electricity are not recommended because these can interfere with how a pacemaker works.

If you experience dizziness or a feeling of rapid or irregular heartbeats (palpitations) caused by interference from equipment, simply move further away from the item. Your pacemaker will immediately return to working normally.

As far as protective shields, I wasn't able to find anything for that particular use.
The patient manual, usually answers most of the questions asked.
Take care,

~ Dominique ~

Protection

by SMITTY - 2007-06-29 12:06:18

I assume you are talking about some type protection from electromagtic fields which are present with almost any power tool operation. It has always been my understanding that the only real protecion from an EMF is distance. However, I have read recently that there are devices being promoted that will provide protection from an EMF. In fact I found a long list. If you will go to Google and input "EMF Protection" you can have your choice of things to suggest.

As for me, I've had my PM for 7 years and I do not even think of it when I use any power tool and I've never had a problem. I may give it a second thought if I were going to try to use an electric welder, but that is the only one.

Smitty

peter10450

by peter10450 - 2013-03-24 01:03:16


Thanks useful experience

I was wondering if a square patch of alfoil attached to a shirt over the PM would block any elect-mag field?

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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