Diving with stimulators

[Rod Hill]

I have two spinal cord stimulators inmplanted. I was told just recently that It wouldn't be safe to dive with them. Is there any truth in that. My Doctor did not say anything about any restrictions with them. I don't need them any longer. I had my back repaired with artifical disc implanted in Germany this past spring. I had planned not to g through another surgery to have them removed, but with my luck if something like a 100 ft or better dive would cause tehm to cause me problem I may have to rethink the surgery option. I plan on doing a lot of diving in the next few years. I have a lot of diving time to make up

 

[Saturation]

There are many different devices and types with different installation requirements but all their components may have no depth rating. Even the most commonly used and robust implanted electronic device, cardiac pacemakers, are often not rated more than 60 meters, and many have no published or tested rating at all.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

There are many things that can go wrong with SCS on the surface to warrant a surgical adjustment, and moreso around diving. SCS makers do not anticipate a normal return to athletic function, and unless removed, vigorous motion risks leads misplacement, skin erosion, and other events.

Battery packs could rupture from depth, even if no longer used or exhausted, leaking battery contents into your body with unpleasant consequences.

Remove the SCS before diving.

 

[Rod Hill]

I appriciate the advise. I'll discuss this with the surgeon. I need to see what my down time will be from work

Thanks again

Rod

 

[-Phoenix-]

Do let us know how it all turned out!

-Rob