Sky Diving

I'd like to go skydiving. my blood pressure is good, I don't take meds, I exercise regularly... I have complete heart block that's why I have a pacemaker but otherwise I feel good, I feel really good. it's something I've always wanted to do. has anybody gone skydiving with a pacemaker? 

7 Comments

go for it

by Tracey_E - 2022-07-22 17:29:21

As long as your doctor is ok with it, go for it! I haven't but have looked into it (haven't quite worked up the nerve yet to jump out of a perfectly good plane!) and we've had other members do it. The only potential problem is the straps putting pressure on the box but that would be uncomfortable more than dangerous. 

Do it!

by Daedalus - 2022-07-22 21:34:37

Skydived for 30 years.  "Most fun you can have with your clothes on, " as they say.  Only caveat would be to watch that chest strap. Perhaps the drop zone could wrap some extra cushioning around it.  And tell the jumpmaster about it, of course, so he/she can try to slow down the chute's deployment a bit. 

Really felt encouraged and excited until…..

by JP2U - 2022-07-23 08:04:07

I spoke with one of the tandem instructors and he said that the placement of the straps on the harness can cause damage or displacement of the pacemaker. Because of that we would not be able to allow you to skydive.  

 

Find another.

by AgentX86 - 2022-07-23 10:24:25

It's certainly not going to damage your PM but I guess there is a small chance of lead problems.  A shield should be able to keep the strap from pressing directly on the PM (it may hurt otherwise).  I'd say he's trying to cover his a$$ and using this as an excuse.  Get a clearance letter from your EP and try another jump instructor, armed with the clearance letter.

Plan B...

by Daedalus - 2022-07-23 20:39:22

If all else fails, you could try one of the indoor skydiving wind tunnels.  No harness needed. 

Plan-B

by AgentX86 - 2022-07-23 23:16:36

Wind tunnels aren't the same thing as jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Don’t give up

by Rmc - 2022-07-24 04:47:38

If your doctor is ok with it, put a sponge under the straps at the pacemaker and jump out of that plane. Your condition could change in the future and you may get restrictions put on you doing things like that. GO FOR IT!

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

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