Hi, currently working on 2 retirement projects ('36 Chevy pickup and '31 Ford Roadster, traditional hot rod). I had hoped to purchase a Mig welder to feel more involved in the work and reduce costs of hiring out some of the small welding tasks that come up. However, a recent discussion suggested I may be at risk due to a pacemaker/defibrillator implant. If anyone seeing this post is currently welding with an implanted device, I'd greatly appreciate hearing about your experience(s). Before anyone says it - yes, of course, I intend to consult my cardiologist and actually have an email inquiry in to them right now. It would still be helpful and hopefully enlightening to get hands-on input from someone who's in that situation. Thank you, JGiles
My dad was a welder by trade and had to give it up due to having a defibrillator put in last year. The doctors told him no welding and no working on an engine while running especially near the alternator. Just hire someone out for the welding, your life is not worth the minimal cost.
This question comes up often. You will never get an answer from anyone. Blame the lawyers. If something were to happen, there would be a lawsuit. If the doctors, the device and the welding machine manufacturers all tell you that it's unsafe, or not recommended, then their asses are covered, even though there may be little or no risk. I was watching TV and an ad came on for a sleeping aid. One of the side effects was drowsiness..............duh!!!! The lawyers cannot miss any little loophole that some other lawyer can use to sue their client. I happen to think it's fine to weld. We are bombarded 24/7 with microwaves from cell towers, RF signals from God knows where, radiation from our TVs, magnetic fields everywhere, high tension wires strung from building to building, etc. This doesn't even take into account the top secret frequencies that aliens, the government, the Illuminati, The Trilateral Commission and the IRS use to read and control your thoughts
Since they are implants I don't think there would be any way to attach leads to them, nor do I think they would put out enough power to weld with.
I worked with a 78 year old guy who had a pacemaker. (he welded all the time) I asked him about it, he said the first time he welded after getting the pacemaker, he had forgotten about it, he said after that, he didn't figure it was a real problem. For all I know, he might still be welding, he'd be over 90 now! And if you die while welding, don't bother to sue me, the only thing I got is a mortgage!
BTW, if a doctor told me not to weld because it might kill me, I'd stop "electric" welding and buy an oxy-acetylene set-up. Trying to live without a heartbeat is a short game!
Irene has a pacemaker, and her doctor does not want her to even hold the parts while I tack it together. But things change with the times,she's had a pacemaker for over 20 years now. She can't go through metal detectors at the airport eather
I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV. Are you kidding? Ask your doctor what he thinks, he will be the one who will fix what ever you might break.
I am 79 and have had an implant (ICD) since 2008...I started MIG welding with a lead jacket and sometimes I would forget to use it. After a while I just went ahead and welded anyway...I never step over the cables while welding cause I was warned about magnetic fields created there...I think welding will most probably cancel the benefits of the ICD rather than cause it to blow up...when I have Xray, MRI or any kind of surgery the medical techs just lay a magnet over my device to disable it... I am not making any recommendations for anyone else! So far I have been knocked on my ass three times from shock from the ICD...was caused by my heart beating really fast, I have a different Cardiologist now and my heartbeat is much better controlled with medicine. (No shocks for over a year)
i work in a cath lab/elecrophysiology lab we put implantable devices in every day. the companies wont go on the record to say you can weld. a friend of mine has a one and did a lot of research on the issue. the companies said you can weld just try to hold the gun as far away as possible. he has had no problems . the devices are turned on and off and programed by magnets. i hope this helps.
I wrote something about using a compass to see if the magnetic field is stronger than the earth's but decided to erase it. How do you delete a post?
There have been numerous posts regarding this. It all depends upon what your doctor and the implant manufacturer recommends. There are numerous types of units, if you are dependent on it pacing then you need to be careful.
Do you go to your Dr. to ask for advice on rebuilding your flathead or chopping the top on your deuce 5 window coupe?
I would not chance it. Two things happened to me while TIG welding. First a G-Shock watch went hay wire which was relatively easy to replace but I also blew out one of my hearing aids. The hearing aids were under warrantee so it didn't cost me. I was told it was because of the welding. A pacemaker is a whole lot dangerous!
I know one man who had to give up T.I.G. because it affected his pacemaker! He still M.I.G. welded but only with the gun and whip stretched all the way out, so he would not be affected. That sounds like a bad idea to me!
Since they are implants I don't think there would be any way to attach leads to them, nor do I think they would put out enough power to weld with. Stop it!!!!!!!!! I spit my tea out laughing at this one...........
I have a Pacemaker, and I weld. BUT< It does not have a defibulator. I asked the doctor before he put it in if I could weld, and he siad OK. Been 8 years and 2 complete Ground up Cars ago.
Science is a funny thing. Someone first makes a statement about what will happen if x, y and z happen, (or posits a theory). Of course we all know the next step is to perform an experiment that incorporates x, y and z happening. IF the results of the experiment follow the theory, then it is said to be proved. Your Doctor has made a statement about what will happen if you weld. If you, perhaps, should feel fine after welding, he was wrong. If you don't feel anything, and are D.O.A. when they wheel you in the emergency room, he was right. Are you willing to prove him wrong? Or, not? My two cents.
The pamphlet I got said no arc welding, the doctor said I would initially feel light headed so stop and let it reset. That being said in the last 4 months I have went from 30% dependent to 100% dependent on the pacemaker. No I haven't tried it.
I have AFIB and have to get re-set occasionally. I just taught my son-in-law to weld just in case I need to get a pacemaker. I'm lucky, he's a natural talent. Many years ago (35 or so) I knew an old man that had a pacemaker and it got shut down by electronic ignitions of the day. He would pop a hood then just stand there in a daze. After a coupe seconds he would shake his head, come back to reality and tell me I had to do whatever work was needed on that car. They are so much better than the used to be. I think a TIG is a bigger problem than MIG would be but consider the outcome if we're wrong. SPark
I have a implantable device specialist in the family and she has had patients come in who have had issues with welding and the other eletrical interference issues. Not many, but a few. One thing to consider is dead people don't come to office complaining their device isn't working right.
my buddy had to give up welding due to his defibulator , the flux of the magnetic fields will screw it up and the leads will act like a antenna , like the flux from a microwave oven transformer , its a very strong field , with tig welding its worse because of the higher frequency involved , the list of things hes not allow to be near are generators ( house and industrial units ) , alternators , microwaves , any type of welder that uses a large transformer/reactor ( he can arc weld with batteries) and be near the back of a old CRT type tv or monitor ( with in 2-3 feet of the coils ) and ignition systems .
When I got my ICD it came with a pamphlet from the manufacturer (Boston Scientific). Welding was not in the forbidden column and there was a number for questions, so I called. It was explained to me that it was possible to weld, however there were some additional safety precautions. Keeping the welding cables and all welded material at least 24” away from the device was the big one. Best to talk to the specific manufacturer, they are up on all the latest concerning their devices. On a side note using a jackhammer is forbidden, no loss. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Keep in mind technology in the electrophysiology world has changed over the years. What was once forbidden years ago is now acceptable. Not all physicians have kept up with these changes. For the most up to date information call the manufacturer of your devise. The hamb board is not the source to use for a answer to the question.
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