No more arc welding

[Barryh]

Thanks Barry. I will give them a call and see if this has been used for Pace Makers. I could put this on the back and/or front of my leather welding vest.

Not sure of what you are prepared to spend, but if this material works, maybe you could have a leather worker or a Tailor custom make you something with this material sewn into or in between the layers, in the form of a vest or apron of some kind to make it more comfortable to wear. In any case I would be curious to know what you find out.

 

[gemini5362]

The arc itself is probably a dandy source of electromagnetic radiation/radio frequency interference. I seem to recall reading a reference to "spark transmitter radio".

There are tiny OA torches made specifically for welding thin materials. Here's an example from McMaster: Part# 7932A12.

Oops- gotta get back to work...

Gravy

He is right on the money. In my opinion the biggerst danger is the arc itself. The arc is a very good source for a High Frequency transmitter granted low power but you are going to be very close to it. The Frequency will be all over the place so would be very hard ( pretty well imposible) to shied against. As the RF generated by the arc crosses the leads to the pacemaker it would generate a voltage. This voltage might be high enough to damage the pacemaker and I would imagine at the least would be a problem for syncing the pacemaker to your heart beat. The bottom line for me is that I think you are taking the right attitude by not arc welding. The guy that does it and gets by with it might just be living on borrowed time.

 

[Barryh]

He is right on the money. In my opinion the biggerst danger is the arc itself. The arc is a very good source for a High Frequency transmitter granted low power but you are going to be very close to it. The Frequency will be all over the place so would be very hard ( pretty well imposible) to shied against. As the RF generated by the arc crosses the leads to the pacemaker it would generate a voltage. This voltage might be high enough to damage the pacemaker and I would imagine at the least would be a problem for syncing the pacemaker to your heart beat. The bottom line for me is that I think you are taking the right attitude by not arc welding. The guy that does it and gets by with it might just be living on borrowed time.

As I said in my previous post. I wouldn't try this shielding with Arc Welding, but it might be good insurance for protecting yourself when working with regular power tools that could give off a low magnetic field.

 

[BobRip]

As I said in my previous post. I wouldn't try this shielding with Arc Welding, but it might be good insurance for protecting yourself when working with regular power tools that could give off a low magnetic field.

Good points from all. I appreciate your concerns and suggestions.

 

[MossRoad]

Good points from all. I appreciate your concerns and suggestions.

Just think what we'd tell you if we didn't like you.

 

[cqaigy2]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobRip
Good points from all. I appreciate your concerns and suggestions.

Just think what we'd tell you if we didn't like you.

Just think what we'd tell you if we didn't like you.

We can only imagine.

 

[BobRip]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobRip
Good points from all. I appreciate your concerns and suggestions.

Just think what we'd tell you if we didn't like you.

We can only imagine.

Do I feel stupid. Today I was at a Blacksmith meeting and the guy next to me has a pacemaker. His runs pretty much full time and yet he is allowed to arc weld. I saw him make several welds today. I have never called the pacemaker company, just listened to the doctor. I call tonight (yes, Saturday, boy what good service) and basically they said it's OK to weld with a few minor restrictions. (wear gloves, not over 400 amps, do not wrap cord around you, pause 10 seconds between stops, place ground clamp near weld, and a few others). They are sending me an offical copy of this and hopefully it will be here by Monday. Boy am I happy!!! I have been welding with gas, but it is not as fast and does not work as well on thick metal.

 

[MossRoad]

Hey, that sounds great! I hope it works out for you.

 

[BobRip]

Really even better, I went into the family doctor for routine work last Wednesday and asked her why I was taking medication to lower blood pressure when I have never had high blood pressure. It is routinely prescribed when you have a heart attack, which I have not had. So I am off that, I am sleeping better and have more energy. What a win. It's been a great week.

 

[BobRip]

Really even better, I went into the family doctor for routine work last Wednesday and asked her why I was taking medication to lower blood pressure when I have never had high blood pressure. It is routinely prescribed when you have a heart attack, which I have not had. So I am off that, I am sleeping better and have more energy. What a win. It's been a great week.

Hey these two incidents show the advantage of questioning your doctor and the medical system.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes! Always ask WHY? when they tell you to do something. Not only do we get an education as to what's what, we also get to see if the doc knows why.

 

[BobRip]

Yes! Always ask WHY? when they tell you to do something. Not only do we get an education as to what's what, we also get to see if the doc knows why.

There are so many canned answers today, even if they don't have good data. We also need to ask "How do you know". "Where can I see the test protocol and test data". Many more questions should be asked. It is difficult to think of these questions whne you are in the hospital with an uncertain future.

 

[cqaigy2]

That's some good news about your bionics.

 

[BobRip]

I welded together a hammer rack today. On last few sections I used the MIG welder and behold I am still alive. No problems encountered. Actually my gas welds look better than my mig welds, but the MIG was much faster.

 

[toy]

I welded together a hammer rack today. On last few sections I used the MIG welder and behold I am still alive. No problems encountered. Actually my gas welds look better than my mig welds, but the MIG was much faster.

congratulations to the new old weldor or welder however you prefer. now you're back in business.

 

[wedge40]

I found this thread very very interesting. I'm sort of in the same boat, but I have an ICD, (Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator). Mine not only paces, but if things get too out of wack, it'll shock the heart back into rhythm. Sort like having little paramedics right there in your chest. I've had a shock a few times.. NOT FUN . But after reading this I'm going to call the manufacture and see what they say. Is it worth it? Not sure still need to learn more. They also caution about working on cars, engines etc. I've been around my tractor working on the ignition and so far so good. I use to worry that it would screw up and shock me, but they have built in protection that will just shut the thing down for a minute or two. Within reason of course.

Bob I'll be interested in how things go with your mig welding.
Keep us posted and show us more photos. Especially the torch welding.

Wedge

 

[MossRoad]

Sort like having little paramedics right there in your chest. I've had a shock a few times.. NOT FUN .

I've got to say that you guys sure do have great attitudes about this.

 

[wedge40]

I've got to say that you guys sure do have great attitudes about this.

Want some lemon-aid? I'm pretty sure most people just learn to deal. The doctors do this so we can live a quality life. So I try to do the most to accommodate them.


Wedge

 

[BobRip]

Want some lemon-aid? I'm pretty sure most people just learn to deal. The doctors do this so we can live a quality life. So I try to do the most to accommodate them.


Wedge

Wedge, that is exactly my attitude. Most pacemakers are there to improve the quality of life. I could live without mine, but there would be issues, i.e. slow heart beat when I am asleep. I feel really good all most all of the time and am very thankful for the doctors, nurses, and engineers, etc. who make this medical technlogy possible. I told this to my caridac doctor and he said you will live longer if you live to the fullest. Please contact you pacer company (like you stated). Yours has defib and is more critical than mine.

 

[wedge40]

Wedge, that is exactly my attitude. Most pacemakers are there to improve the quality of life. I could live without mine, but there would be issues, i.e. slow heart beat when I am asleep. I feel really good all most all of the time and am very thankful for the doctors, nurses, and engineers, etc. who make this medical technlogy possible. I told this to my caridac doctor and he said you will live longer if you live to the fullest. Please contact you pacer company (like you stated). Yours has defib and is more critical than mine.

Don't worry Bob. After being dropped to my knees a couple of times I'm not going to take any chances. If I have to contract out my welding so be it.
But this sure beats the alternative - worm food.

Wedge