Hi guy's anybody detect who has a pacemaker? Is it safe to detect with a pacemaker? I have a mate who has 1 and wants to get a detector but doesn't know if it's ok or not. Cheers Chewy.
Detecting with a Pacemaker
- Thread starter Chewy
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I was told by a heart surgeon that it was not safe to detect with a pace maker.
Not sure why.
I think it interferes with the pace making.
But my own research suggests that its ok to do so :beer:
Not sure why.
I think it interferes with the pace making.
But my own research suggests that its ok to do so :beer:
Same Smokey I have heard the same...
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I would be asking a doctor to be on the safe side 
Best have him contact his cardiac specialist to get accurate advice .
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ASK the experts, haven't heard of any heart specialists on here, go straight to the source of expertise asking here isn't the way to go.
This is what i found but my davice would be check with the treating doctor
The question of whether pacemakers present a safety issue in relation to metal detectors is one which we have paid close attention to over the years. We are not aware of any report of a hobby type metal detector ever interfering with a pacemaker or other electronic medical device, or having any other adverse health effect.
The magnetic field to which a hobby metal detector exposes the userin normal useis much weaker than the geomagnetic field which already surrounds us, many times weaker than the electromagnetic radio waves near a broadcast transmitter or CB radio or cellphone, and weaker than the magnetic field of walkthrough security metal detectors such as are used in airports and courtrooms.
Because hundreds of millions of people each year are exposed to the field of walkthrough metal detectors, government agencies involved in security have conducted a lot of research into the potential for interference with pacemakers. Over the years there have been perhaps one or two reports of a brief malfunction which resulted in no serious harm to the searchee. Because there can be no absolute guarantee that there will be no such interaction, it is customary for security to post a notice where walkthroughs are being used, advising searchees who are wearing or who have implanted electronic medical devices that they may be hand searched without going through the walkthrough.
The manufacturers of pacemakers design them to be resistant to interference from electromagnetic fields. An obvious concern to manufacturers of pacemakers and other implantable and wearable electronic medical devices is fields from walkthough security metal detectors. Pacemakers and most other electronic medical therapy devices require FDA approval, and reliability and safety are criteria which must be met in order to receive that approval. However the bottom line is that we have no control over how pacemakers are designed and manufactured and therefore can make no absolute guarantee what they will or will not do.
The magnetic field of a hobby type metal detector is concentrated within a few inches of the searchcoil. It is probable that most medical devices would continue to function properly with the searchcoil brought up next to them. If there were a malfunction it is unlikely that there would be any damage: normal operation would likely resume once the searchcoil was moved away from the device. Despite all that, common sense would dictate that a person with an implantable or wearable electronic medical therapy device should not bring the searchcoil up next to the device. This of course is not something that a person would normally do anyhow.
Dave Johnson
Chief Designer, First Texas Products and Fisher Research Labs
The question of whether pacemakers present a safety issue in relation to metal detectors is one which we have paid close attention to over the years. We are not aware of any report of a hobby type metal detector ever interfering with a pacemaker or other electronic medical device, or having any other adverse health effect.
The magnetic field to which a hobby metal detector exposes the userin normal useis much weaker than the geomagnetic field which already surrounds us, many times weaker than the electromagnetic radio waves near a broadcast transmitter or CB radio or cellphone, and weaker than the magnetic field of walkthrough security metal detectors such as are used in airports and courtrooms.
Because hundreds of millions of people each year are exposed to the field of walkthrough metal detectors, government agencies involved in security have conducted a lot of research into the potential for interference with pacemakers. Over the years there have been perhaps one or two reports of a brief malfunction which resulted in no serious harm to the searchee. Because there can be no absolute guarantee that there will be no such interaction, it is customary for security to post a notice where walkthroughs are being used, advising searchees who are wearing or who have implanted electronic medical devices that they may be hand searched without going through the walkthrough.
The manufacturers of pacemakers design them to be resistant to interference from electromagnetic fields. An obvious concern to manufacturers of pacemakers and other implantable and wearable electronic medical devices is fields from walkthough security metal detectors. Pacemakers and most other electronic medical therapy devices require FDA approval, and reliability and safety are criteria which must be met in order to receive that approval. However the bottom line is that we have no control over how pacemakers are designed and manufactured and therefore can make no absolute guarantee what they will or will not do.
The magnetic field of a hobby type metal detector is concentrated within a few inches of the searchcoil. It is probable that most medical devices would continue to function properly with the searchcoil brought up next to them. If there were a malfunction it is unlikely that there would be any damage: normal operation would likely resume once the searchcoil was moved away from the device. Despite all that, common sense would dictate that a person with an implantable or wearable electronic medical therapy device should not bring the searchcoil up next to the device. This of course is not something that a person would normally do anyhow.
Dave Johnson
Chief Designer, First Texas Products and Fisher Research Labs
G
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G'day
I used to fossick with a mate who had an implanted pacemaker and detecting was no issue, I asked him the same question about metal detectors and he said there was no effect from them on the pacemaker, and also him being an avid detectorists I would imagine he asked the question himself when he got it put in, and also after reading the report above from Dave Johnson I cant imagine it would be an issue, and in light of their being so many electrical devices around us wherever we go these days I would assume that these pacemakers would be fairly rugged and not effected by any external interference, but for peace of mind speak directly to your cardiac specialist as advised.
I used to tease him and say I was going to bring along a garage door opener and make him do star jumps, I cant repeat what the reply was :awful:
cheers
stayyerAU
I used to fossick with a mate who had an implanted pacemaker and detecting was no issue, I asked him the same question about metal detectors and he said there was no effect from them on the pacemaker, and also him being an avid detectorists I would imagine he asked the question himself when he got it put in, and also after reading the report above from Dave Johnson I cant imagine it would be an issue, and in light of their being so many electrical devices around us wherever we go these days I would assume that these pacemakers would be fairly rugged and not effected by any external interference, but for peace of mind speak directly to your cardiac specialist as advised.
I used to tease him and say I was going to bring along a garage door opener and make him do star jumps, I cant repeat what the reply was :awful:
cheers
stayyerAU
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll pass on the info to my mate, and tell him to consult with his dr to be safe. Cheers Chewy. :Y:
