Diving with a Pacemaker.....

[timakempton]

About to get a pacemaker, I have been told by may cardiologist that all will be good for my return to the water once the settling in period is done. (So excited no more AF)

I am interested in hearing the experiences of other divers with pacemakers, have you had any issues or bad experiences?

 

[pisoiu]

I have no experience with pacemakers, never seen one in my life. But I know a little about electronics under pressure.
If the pacemaker contains closed spaces of air, it may be affected by pressure. These spaces of air can be found in the pacemaker construction or even in some components construction (such as some crystal oscillators, relays, shielded coils, etc). If this would be my problem, I would check with the manufacturer of the device if it is (at least to some degree) pressure resistant.

le: some links
Pacemakers and Scuba Diving ? Medical Dive Article ? DAN | Divers Alert Network
Pacemaker Club: Support & Information For Pacemaker & Defibrillator Patients

 

[c5diver]

I don't have a pace maker but I have a medical implant that is in a pace maker frame. yes there is an air space in the pace maker. this is where the electronics are housed in the pace maker. mime is a research device but it was still pressure tested to 4-5 atm. mine is not life supporting and on that note was told yes it is pressure texted but the repeated re pressurization could cause stress fractures and could result in failure. so here is where I am. I have 2 of these implants, and around 100 dives since implant and no failures. the deepest I have gone with them is 109ft and most dives in the 60-90 foot range.

 

[diversteve]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/390655-new-information-pacemakers.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/492022-medtronic-pacemakers-scuba-diving.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/481118-diving-internal-defibrillator.html