travel info

Hi Everyone, I have two questions one is I will be getting on a plane latter today and have not gone through security or flown since I got my pacemaker. All I need is my card (that says I have a PM) that I carry in my wallet, correct?
The second question I have, is does anyone know why we shouldn’t run a chain saw. Is it due to the vibration or is it something else?

Ron

5 Comments

ID card

by ted - 2009-04-10 06:04:14

In hundreds of security checks, I have never been asked to show my ID card.

Thanks

by ronbabsh - 2009-04-10 10:04:03

Thanks guys, I knew someone would come through for me before we left. We'll only be gone for about a week but (I'll be baaack) :>)

Happy trails!

by pacergirl - 2009-04-10 10:04:19

Hi, I was just reading about what the precautions are for my St. Jude dual PM. Here is the low down frrom them... NO MRI, No ultrasound therapy and no diathermathy. (sp?) that's it. They mention nothing about a chain saw or small engines. I would check you PM website and your particular PM/ICD for the exact precautions for you =). There are members here who do use a chain saw, maybe they will chime in?

Now as far a travels go. Carry you PM card and tell the security that you have a PM/ICD You will be hand searched. That's pretty much it. I ahve traveled a lot while having a PM and many other members here have as well. No problem at all. Just listen to what they tell you to do and you will be just fine.

Happy travels to you!
Pacergirl

Chain Saw Use

by chip - 2009-04-10 10:04:58

The problem with the chain saw is the proximity of your hand to the spark plug area of the saw. I had a home-lite saw with the plug right by the handle most used while sawing and I had all kinds of problems when I used it. After talking to several people with pacers I bought a stihl model that has the plug on the front side and use it with no problems at all.

HOWEVER – I’m not 100% dependent on my pacemaker (only pace about 70% of the time). If you are pacemaker dependent I’d probably think twice about it and I’d speak with my doctor for sure.

Enjoy your travels - just have your ID card handy.

Using A Chain Saw

by SMITTY - 2009-04-10 11:04:29

Hello Ron,

Your question on travel has been answered, but I will add a comment to those you have received on the chain saw.

The electromagnetic field created by the ignition system on a chain saw should not be great enough to cause a problem with your pacemaker. However, while I may not be very smart, I am smart enough to know I will never say never when it comes to pacemakers so that EMF could be a problem. But my thought is that any problems a person may have from a chain saw are the ones you will run into if you have the rate response turned on. The vibration from a chain saw should make that feature think you are trying to run about a 100 MPH and it should really have your heart beat jacked up.

If your PM is bothered by the EMF from the chain saw, as Chip said, when you turn off or just move away from the running engine the PM should go back to normal operation. On the other hand if it is the rate response that is causing the problem it may take a minute or two longer for things to return to normal.

To find out if the rate response is on, you will have to ask your doctor, or the person that does your checkups. If you by chance got a copy of the print our from your last check up it should say on there if the rate response is on. At least it is very plainly shown on the printout for checkups on my Medtronic PM.

Good luck,

Smitty

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Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.