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The risks of using a heart pacemaker and welding
General guidelines are given, but if the pacemaker user has any doubts about his or her working environment, this should be taken up with the hospital that fitted the unit.
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ajlelectronics
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RonA
specialist in repairing sealed for life equipment
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There was a long discussion on this topic on the forum some time ago. I worked in a power station for a long time & we would not allow people fitted with a pacemaker to weld or work on our turbo alternators. All to do with possibility of inducing unwanted current in the electronics of the pacemaker. RonA
DAPPH
as dyslexik as I'm daft
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When I lived in Germany any foggy night we could hear the high voltage power pylons crackling from a good 200 mtrs way . I took a four foot strip light with me one evening as mates & I walked to the barracks to have a few jars to prove you can get free electricity as I knew the tube would glow enough to read by .
This welding thread ... Hmm ....... would the radiated magnetic field also cause a pacemaker wearer problems or is it mainly to do with the massive arc collapse current at the end of a run causing the damaging back emf generated magnetic field.
Would a radiographers lead & carbon fibre etc protective tabbard solve such problems by shielding if it were sensibly earthed when being worn ? You could always slip it on under heavy cotton welding overalls or wear it under a made for the purpose leather welding apron
This welding thread ... Hmm ....... would the radiated magnetic field also cause a pacemaker wearer problems or is it mainly to do with the massive arc collapse current at the end of a run causing the damaging back emf generated magnetic field.
Would a radiographers lead & carbon fibre etc protective tabbard solve such problems by shielding if it were sensibly earthed when being worn ? You could always slip it on under heavy cotton welding overalls or wear it under a made for the purpose leather welding apron
RWD3M
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That was so obvious, but sooooo funny!Because it works better if you use a welder?
less so for us pedantic tw*ts . . . a "welder" being the operator of welding plant . . . so when I asked to borrow a welder when working in a German factory 20 yrs ago, they produced a bloke in a funny hat, wearing leather gloves and apron
hotponyshoes
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I have got a "light-weight" xray gown and there is no way I would want to wear it for any longer than half an hour or so...
Ok, if it was vital to keep my pacemaker working then possibly I might man up a bit but the thing is so heavy on the shoulders that I don't think I would be able to mig properly, let alone tig, for any length of time with that on.
I would think one issue might be if you had one hand on the bench and managed to touch the other on a live electrode/torch tip and got some sort of current flowing accros the chest via the pacemaker?
At the least, an extra return lead bolted to the bench might be a good idea?
I think some of the reason it's potentially dangerous is some pacemakers assist the heart so they monitor the heartbeat and provide assistance if there is a problem. Certain types of pulse from welders (and other things) can make the pacemaker think the heart is beating normally and then switch themselves off.
If I had one fitted I would be either talking to my doctor, the makers of the pacemaker or, one of the bigger welding equipment manufacturers for some proper advice!
Probably worth emailing all 3 of them!
Bullet2012
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You can, but you could possibly die.
If you buy/ have a welder and use it, please can you ensure it is willed to me.
If you buy/ have a welder and use it, please can you ensure it is willed to me.
hotponyshoes
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You can, but you could possibly die.
If you buy/ have a welder and use it, please can you ensure it is willed to me.
I suppose any of us could die at any time doing anything...
The will idea is not bad though..
My worst fear is my missus sells all my kit based on what I told her I paid for it...
Maybe we should have some sort of forum death list where everyone agrees to leave everything to everybody else?
MattF
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Bullet2012
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CompoSimmonite
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As a child I lived under power power lines. If we held an old fluorescent tube up it would glow !
Tax man has beaten you to it , hes got an eye on everything I own now ,,, ex has her eye on everything I used to own ,,,
In fact Im not sure I ever want to own anything ever again .... Your Honour
my story and Im sticking to it.
123hotchef
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I got to try this now you know that dont you! there is a pylon in our horse field
dont forget the pictures ,,,
redlig
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And you can heat things up and bendWhy do I know some them. Can't do that with a fancy TIG. Why do I just know someone will prove me wrong.
redlig
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Great idea especially if your only 30 years old.
redlig
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Tell her that since you bought the stuff it's now all gone up in price and just how wise you were to buy the kit at the right time.
