Heart Pacemaker and electric welding.

[premmington]

Just learned something new...

You really did not want to be electric welding if you have a pacemaker fitted to your heart.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Just learned something new...

You really did not want to be electric welding if you have a pacemaker fitted to your heart.

There was a thread about this [or it appeared in another thread, at a tangent] a while ago.

 

[Cobbler]

I think it was Seano was looking for information about it, not sure whether there was a difinitive answer though.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think the correct answer is if anyone has such a device fitted to take all the information re the welding set power etc to a heart specialist.

It won't be of benefit if your last words are 'well the gang said I should use 0.6mm wire, argon mix and a pacemaker is fine'

 

[dcocks]

Agree with the above need to ask the heart specialist no other way

 

[Cobbler]

From what I recall of the original post, I don't think the specialist would commit himself. Personally if there was any doubt .... Better safe that sorry.

 

[Hitch]

The thing is, heart specialists probably don't know much about electric arc welding, and welding and electric specials probably arnt too clued up on hearts.

I think if I had to have one, wether I can weld safely anymore would be the least of my concerns.

 

[Moosevan]

Just learned something new...

You really did not want to be electric welding if you have a pacemaker fitted to your heart.

Please PM me, have ICD & still stitching rust... no expert, but have discussed with my Cardiologist & Cardio Nurse. May be able to point you in a helpful direction.

 

[Brad93]

If you ring the TWI at Cambridge they have someone or know someone who can advise.

 

[RonA]

I used to issue PTW when I worked in a small power station. We barred anybody who had a pacemaker fitted from even approaching our turbo alternator hall because of the powerful magnetic fields present. Welding was out of the question.
RonA

 

[tom 748]

mate worked for a company in Glasgow,had to leave cause he got a pacemaker fitted

 

[Brad93]

There’s many different types of pacemaker and many variables to welding. For example the EMF generated from one process can be higher than another, and operating at different amperage/voltage ranges can change the amount.

The only way to be sure is speak to a specialist, TWI have the contact details.

 

[RonA]

mate worked for a company in Glasgow,had to leave cause he got a pacemaker fitted

Given the choice between carrying on living or snuffing it, I’d be with your mate.
RonA

 

[bletchmonster]

Going on what the High frequency from my tig has just done to the electronic controller on my torch cooler I would be a bit wary!!!
Fizzle puff and now no worky.

 

[RonA]

Found this info on the net from an American manufacturer of pacemakers. Having read it, if I had a pacemaker fitted there is no way I'd be chancing any welding. Err'ing on the side of abstaining from welding would be the watchword. Our works health department set out our policy on pacemakers very forcibly.

Q: What if I may need to use a welder?
A: It is recommended you avoid using welding currents above 160 amps. Follow the safety precautions below to minimize the risk of interfering with your heart device while welding with currents under 160 amps.

Welding Safety Precautions

• Limit welding to currents less than 160 amps
• Work in a dry area with dry gloves and shoes
• Maintain a 2-foot (60 centimeter) distance between the welding arc and heart device
• Keep the welding cables close together and as far away as possible from your heart device. Place the welding unit approximately 5 feet from the work area.
• Connect the ground clamp to the metal as close to the point of welding as possible. Arrange the work so the handle and rod will not contact the metal being welded if they are accidentally dropped.
• Wait several seconds between attempts when having difficulty starting a weld
• Work in an area that offers firm footing and plenty of room for movement
• Work with an informed person who understands these suggestions
• Immediately stop welding and step away from the area if you start feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or you believe your implantable defibrillator has delivered a shock

Since welding equipment may temporarily affect the normal operation of your heart device, any decision you make to use this equipment should be made in consultation with your heart doctor. Your doctor can advise you as to the degree of risk these responses pose for your medical condition.

Aprons or vests will not effectively shield your pacemaker or implantable defibrillator from the electromagnetic energy generated by welding equipment.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I think the correct answer is if anyone has such a device fitted to take all the information re the welding set power etc to a heart specialist.

It won't be of benefit if your last words are 'well the gang said I should use 0.6mm wire, argon mix and a pacemaker is fine'

If i showed a heart specialist my welding he would need to check his own heart

 

[Seano]

I think it was Seano was looking for information about it, not sure whether there was a difinitive answer though.

Yes indeed it was me, I have a combined pacemaker / defibrillator fitted, more commonly called an ICD Implantable Cardio Defibrillator. I have been mig, arc, and dc tig welding for about eight years since having it fitted, as suggested by Brad93 I did contact the TWI about it, and after a conversation with them they mailed me some info out lining the do's and dont's of welding with said device fitted, so far I have suffered no ill effects.There is a company in the US who supply shielded work wear to negate the issues of HF pulses through the body, a Faraday cage in a T shirt, I haven't got around to making inquiries yet but will in the new year, hope this clarifies things a little for you, BUT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!!!

 

[chriskelland]

I saw my cardiac man last week to get my results to see if I needed a pacemaker fitted, luckily I don't, just yet. The Doctor is a bit of a tech type in his spare time and we talked about the
do's and don't's. As far as welding, in my case I was told that only arc was out, I would be OK with MIG & TIG. It seems not all doom and gloom but talk to your Consultant.
In general GP's are not up to speed on this.

 

[Xup]

Chris, my Lorch Tig at anything over 80HZ totally shuts down/trips out an a very good quality Victron solar charge controller, it takes about 10 min before you can get it to turn back on.
No way would I be welding with a pacemaker fitted. ( they are a meter apart)

 

[chriskelland]

Chris, my Lorch Tig at anything over 80HZ totally shuts down/trips out an a very good quality Victron solar charge controller, it takes about 10 min before you can get it to turn back on.
No way would I be welding with a pacemaker fitted. ( they are a meter apart)

As I said - talk to your consultant!