Diving with Pacemaker

Louda · 7th July 2007, 09:34

I just had a Pacemaker implantation.
does anybody here dive with Pacemaker ? or know anyone who does ?
thanks

**wedivebc** · 7th July 2007, 14:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by Louda)

I just had a Pacemaker implantation.
does anybody here dive with Pacemaker ? or know anyone who does ?
thanks

I know a guy who does quite a bit of diving with a pacemaker. He told me his was only rated to 100ft though and when it is time for replacement he says there is a deeper rated model.
PM me and I will give you his contact info.

Gene_Hobbs · 7th July 2007, 15:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by Louda)

I just had a Pacemaker implantation.
does anybody here dive with Pacemaker ? or know anyone who does ?
thanks

There is a fair amount of information getting out about pacemakers under hyperbaric conditions. We have had a few patients treated now that had them and no problems.

PubMed search
Rubicon Research Repository search

'debersole' had a nice post on this on ScubaBoard a while back but the site is down and I could not find it. He will probably be along shortly.

DAN Article by Jim Caruso

Take care!

babar · 7th July 2007, 17:04

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gene_Hobbs)

There is a fair amount of information getting out about pacemakers under hyperbaric conditions. We have had a few patients treated now that had them and no problems.

PubMed search
Rubicon Research Repository search

'debersole' had a nice post on this on ScubaBoard a while back but the site is down and I could not find it. He will probably be along shortly.

DAN Article by Jim Caruso

Take care!

Yeah, Doug is quite knowledgable about this.

Most dive docs would say, that it's not so much the pacer itself, but the reason for it in the first place, that would potentially disqualify somone from diving. Of course if that's not the question at hand here, then I'll go mind my own buissness

.

All pacemakers that I'm aware of are at least rated to 2.4 ATA

debersole · 8th July 2007, 22:24

I'm back from diving West Palm this weekend. Yes, as Alan (babar) mentioned, often the indication for needing the pacemaker in the first place is disqualifying for diving, but not always. The pacemaker manufacturers have specs on their pacemakers regarding how they perform under pressure. This is mainly regarding hyperbaric chambers and most are rated to somewhere around 2.5 ATA. There are others that are rated much higher so check with your pacemaker clinic and they can get the rep to pull the specifics on your pacemaker.

Assuming you have normal heart muscle function, normal exercise tolerance on treadmill testing (13 METS -- your doc will know what this means), and no ischemia (limitation of blood flow to your heart) with exercise, the pacemaker itself does not disqualify you from diving.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me with specifics of your particular situation and I can give you a more detailed opinion.

Doug

Simon Mitchell · 9th July 2007, 01:25

Hello,

Whilst the commentators above are quite correct in pointing out that it is often acceptable for patients with pacemakers to dive within a depth range acceptable to the manufacturers of their device, I would remind you that both the reasons for pacemaker insertion and the behaviour of the devices themselves are often very complex. The term "pacemaker" can mean many things, and some even refer to implantable defibrillators as "pacemakers". While it is OK to discuss the issue here, I strongly advise you not to consider it resolved on the basis of comments on an internet discussion forum. You should see an experienced diving physician, preferably who has an interest in this conundrum, for a careful appraisal of your risk.

Warm regards,

Simon M

debersole · 9th July 2007, 19:42

I echo Simon's sentiments. However, Alan (babar) is an emergency physician with an expertise in diving medicine and I am a cardiologist. Our posts were for informational purposes only.

You would best be served by discussing your specific case with a cardiologist with an expertise in diving medicine. As a cardiologist myself, I can assure you that there aren't a lot of them out there! I would recommend contacting DAN and seeing if they have someone near you they can refer you to.

Doug

Simon Mitchell · 9th July 2007, 20:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by debersole)

I can assure you that there aren't a lot of them out there!

Doug

Yes...

Isn't that true!!! I don't know where Hurgada is, but if its anywhere near Florida, then seeing Doug would be worth the trip. Fred Bove is in Philadelphia. Aside from the diving cardiologists, most experienced diving physicians (especially those who have relevant specialist training such as anesthesiology or emergency medicine) will have the correct approach to this problem "sorted out", and will usually have a tame cardiologist they can consult for any tricky problems. The diving anesthesiologists at Duke would be a good bet. The only further piece of advice I have is not to see a cardiologist who does not have an interest in diving.

Warm regards,

Simon M

Crazyduck · 9th July 2007, 21:22

Simon,
if the Google map is right, then its Egypt.

Thank you all for this... a friend recently had this done and I was unaware of the restrictions placed on the end user. Excellent point on pressure, blood flow, battery and circuitry design. Very Interesting...

Regards, Andrew

Louda · 10th July 2007, 13:16

I am in Egypt.

Will start the search process soon.

Already have some names (Dr.s / Divers ) . not sure if they are cardiologists though.

It seems that no one in this thread dive in the red sea since you don't know Hurgada.

but if you know anyone nearby, let me know.

if u ran into any relevent info. , kindly post it.

thank you

7th July 2007, 09:34	#1 (permalink)
Louda New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hurgada Posts: 7	Diving with Pacemaker I just had a Pacemaker implantation. does anybody here dive with Pacemaker ? or know anyone who does ? thanks
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7th July 2007, 14:40	#2 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,358	Re: Diving with Pacemaker Quote: (Originally Posted by Louda) I just had a Pacemaker implantation. does anybody here dive with Pacemaker ? or know anyone who does ? thanks I know a guy who does quite a bit of diving with a pacemaker. He told me his was only rated to 100ft though and when it is time for replacement he says there is a deeper rated model. PM me and I will give you his contact info. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
(Online)

7th July 2007, 15:49	#3 (permalink)
Gene_Hobbs Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durham, NC, USA Posts: 113	Links to searches Quote: (Originally Posted by Louda) I just had a Pacemaker implantation. does anybody here dive with Pacemaker ? or know anyone who does ? thanks There is a fair amount of information getting out about pacemakers under hyperbaric conditions. We have had a few patients treated now that had them and no problems. PubMed search Rubicon Research Repository search 'debersole' had a nice post on this on ScubaBoard a while back but the site is down and I could not find it. He will probably be along shortly. DAN Article by Jim Caruso Take care! __________________ http://rubicon-foundation.org/ Home of the Rubicon Research Repository. For help getting started with the Repository, please visit our FAQ page. PLEASE support our work. "Oxygen is addictive and deadly. Everyone who uses it will eventually die" --RW Hamilton, PhD 1991 Last edited by Gene_Hobbs : 7th July 2007 at 15:56. Reason: add DAN article
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7th July 2007, 17:04	#4 (permalink)
babar Curmudgeon Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Sport Kiss Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 416	Re: Links to searches Quote: (Originally Posted by Gene_Hobbs) There is a fair amount of information getting out about pacemakers under hyperbaric conditions. We have had a few patients treated now that had them and no problems. PubMed search Rubicon Research Repository search 'debersole' had a nice post on this on ScubaBoard a while back but the site is down and I could not find it. He will probably be along shortly. DAN Article by Jim Caruso Take care! Yeah, Doug is quite knowledgable about this. Most dive docs would say, that it's not so much the pacer itself, but the reason for it in the first place, that would potentially disqualify somone from diving. Of course if that's not the question at hand here, then I'll go mind my own buissness. All pacemakers that I'm aware of are at least rated to 2.4 ATA __________________ Babar Evolution Plus Sport kiss
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8th July 2007, 22:24	#5 (permalink)
debersole Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 197	Re: Diving with Pacemaker I'm back from diving West Palm this weekend. Yes, as Alan (babar) mentioned, often the indication for needing the pacemaker in the first place is disqualifying for diving, but not always. The pacemaker manufacturers have specs on their pacemakers regarding how they perform under pressure. This is mainly regarding hyperbaric chambers and most are rated to somewhere around 2.5 ATA. There are others that are rated much higher so check with your pacemaker clinic and they can get the rep to pull the specifics on your pacemaker. Assuming you have normal heart muscle function, normal exercise tolerance on treadmill testing (13 METS -- your doc will know what this means), and no ischemia (limitation of blood flow to your heart) with exercise, the pacemaker itself does not disqualify you from diving. Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me with specifics of your particular situation and I can give you a more detailed opinion. Doug __________________ www.debersole.com
(Online)

9th July 2007, 01:25	#6 (permalink)
Simon Mitchell New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 157	Re: Diving with Pacemaker Hello, Whilst the commentators above are quite correct in pointing out that it is often acceptable for patients with pacemakers to dive within a depth range acceptable to the manufacturers of their device, I would remind you that both the reasons for pacemaker insertion and the behaviour of the devices themselves are often very complex. The term "pacemaker" can mean many things, and some even refer to implantable defibrillators as "pacemakers". While it is OK to discuss the issue here, I strongly advise you not to consider it resolved on the basis of comments on an internet discussion forum. You should see an experienced diving physician, preferably who has an interest in this conundrum, for a careful appraisal of your risk. Warm regards, Simon M
(Offline)

9th July 2007, 19:42	#7 (permalink)
debersole Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 197	Re: Diving with Pacemaker I echo Simon's sentiments. However, Alan (babar) is an emergency physician with an expertise in diving medicine and I am a cardiologist. Our posts were for informational purposes only. You would best be served by discussing your specific case with a cardiologist with an expertise in diving medicine. As a cardiologist myself, I can assure you that there aren't a lot of them out there! I would recommend contacting DAN and seeing if they have someone near you they can refer you to. Doug __________________ www.debersole.com
(Online)

9th July 2007, 20:55	#8 (permalink)
Simon Mitchell New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 157	Re: Diving with Pacemaker Quote: (Originally Posted by debersole) I can assure you that there aren't a lot of them out there! Doug Yes... Isn't that true!!! I don't know where Hurgada is, but if its anywhere near Florida, then seeing Doug would be worth the trip. Fred Bove is in Philadelphia. Aside from the diving cardiologists, most experienced diving physicians (especially those who have relevant specialist training such as anesthesiology or emergency medicine) will have the correct approach to this problem "sorted out", and will usually have a tame cardiologist they can consult for any tricky problems. The diving anesthesiologists at Duke would be a good bet. The only further piece of advice I have is not to see a cardiologist who does not have an interest in diving. Warm regards, Simon M
(Offline)

9th July 2007, 21:22	#9 (permalink)
Crazyduck Underwater Mechanic Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS, Dallas/ Ft.Worth Posts: 697	Re: Diving with Pacemaker Simon, if the Google map is right, then its Egypt. Thank you all for this... a friend recently had this done and I was unaware of the restrictions placed on the end user. Excellent point on pressure, blood flow, battery and circuitry design. Very Interesting... Regards, Andrew __________________ Howdy Senor- What’s Happening! Rob Davie April 2005- Presently in a state of transition from Open Circuit to Closed Circuit. "You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by it." - Buddha.
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10th July 2007, 13:16	#10 (permalink)
Louda New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hurgada Posts: 7	Re: Diving with Pacemaker I am in Egypt. Will start the search process soon. Already have some names (Dr.s / Divers ) . not sure if they are cardiologists though. It seems that no one in this thread dive in the red sea since you don't know Hurgada. but if you know anyone nearby, let me know. if u ran into any relevent info. , kindly post it. thank you
(Offline)

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