Electrical Equipment

I work in an electrical store. . . . next to the doors which are electrical security.

Is this a good move?

I honestly didn't think it really mattered. . . bit like not using your mobile phone at the petrol station. Chances are so slim, but people have to make such an issue out of it!?!

Can someone please message? . . . Some honest answers. Am I on my own on this? Feel so stupid

12 Comments

Good question

by Theknotguy - 2014-12-06 09:12:42

I'll attach a link to a Medtronic PDF which goes into detail about electricity and possible problems with a PM. I also volunteer at a charity woodshop so I'm around electrical equipment most of the day. Travel next to TV towers that are broadcasting. Cut down a 30 foot tree with an electrical chain saw that had the warning, "Do not use with pacemaker." Forgot I had the PM and jump started my daughter-in-law's car - was leaning over two running engines. Absolutely no problems.

When you read the PDF you'll see you would have to be hugging the electrical motor as it was running for it to possibly interfere with your PM. For electrical fields to bother the PM you will have to go above 220 volts and less than six inches from your PM. I don't think you're anywhere where that would happen.

The TV towers put off more of an EMF field than what you would find in a store security device. So you don't have to worry about the security field.

If you search for a previous post - use the search button on the upper right of this forum - look for Hacking Pacemakers. In that post, research conducted by the University of Michigan showed that a very strong EMF field would have to be directly over the PM and 2 to 3 centimeters away for it to have an effect.

Your question is a good one because there is so much misinformation out there repeated over and over. This forum has been one of the few places where you can get accurate information. So, thanks for asking.

Hope you continue to have success working at the store. Now you can truly tell them you get a charge from your work.

Link to Medtronic follows.

http://www.medtronic.com/wcm/groups/mdtcom_sg/@mdt/@crdm/documents/documents/electromagnetic-compatibility.pdf

Another point

by Theknotguy - 2014-12-07 02:12:15

If you look at the bio's of the people who replied, you'll see that Grateful Heart's PM was implanted in 2008. All others are 2011 and on up to 2014.

It looks like shielding for PM's got better in that six year period with the newer PM's not having problems.

I've gotten wanded, had to go through a metal detector at, of all places, a State Fair, have jump started a car, and work around electrical equipment - all with no problems. My PM and leads are also MRI approved.

So I'm thinking, with a newer PM, you won't see the problems you may have had with older systems.

You're fine with electronics

by N8UAD - 2014-12-07 02:12:35

Hi,

I had my ICD implanted in March of 2013. I work as an avionics technician. I work around all kinds of electrical devices as well as transmitters and receivers all day every day. I am also a ham radio operator and have HF, VHF, and UHF radio equipment in my home, I have yet to experience any problems. I hope this helps.

Honest Answers

by Grateful Heart - 2014-12-07 02:12:37


First of all, welcome. You have a legitimate question and concern and no questions are stupid, especially here.

I never like to say never, we are all different. I guess I am one of the "rare ones" ?? that have had some interference with store security EMF's. I know a few others have talked about it here too. I have had the alarm sound in BJ's Wholesale Club and Home Depot.

In BJ's I was standing in the door frame area while the employee checked my cart against the receipt and the alarm sounded...very loud. When I realized it was me.....I moved fast from under the door frame and the alarm stopped. The worker looked puzzled and I had to explain why it went off and we had a good laugh.

In Home Depot I was simply walking out the door after paying for the merchandise and the alarm went off...again, very loudly. I stopped, the cashier looked at me and just waved me on. It's pretty embarrassing as everyone looks your way.

In a high security building in NYC, we were attending a graduation and the security line was long and slow. I knew "wanding" was coming up and had my card at the ready. Before I got there, I got stuck under the security door frame (didn't realize that was where I was standing) and after a second or two, my device started feeling like it does during the interrogation but with a buzzing feeling. When I realized where I was standing I stepped back and then moved forward when I could clear the doorway. When it was my turn, I got a pat down.

You know your body. Maybe you can test it at your store. Just move away if you feel it interfere of if the alarm sounds. Just get ready for the "looks" if it does. :-)

BTW, all of this happened before my hip implant and since I don't shoplift, it had to be my CRT-D device. Maybe mine is more sensitive.

Grateful Heart

Yet Another Point

by IAN MC - 2014-12-07 03:12:36

Regardless of whether you have a pacemaker or not, some people's hearts are affected by the sort of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by security doors., most are not !

I know, because I was one of them. Like most people on here I needed a PM because of my bradycardias which led to a pre-syncope feeling. What was interesting though was that I almost always got bradycardias when going through security gates in large stores. My wife thought that it was the imminent threat of me having to spend money which was causing it.

However, my cardiologist, who is far more understanding than my wife, told me that he had met other patients without PMs who had various arrythmias triggered off by external electromagnetic sources..

Now that I have a PM, I am still aware of a strange feeling when I go through those same security gates.

If I were Karen, who started off this thread, I would not want to work anywhere near the security gates in her electrical store.

Ian

If you are not having problems, why worry ?

by IAN MC - 2014-12-07 08:12:21

BUT For some strange reason some people with PMs , probably a very small minority , ARE affected by security doors in stores. I would love to know why some are and some aren't.

If you are one of the unlucky ones, it doesn't help you one bit if you get 50 replies on here saying " I do various things involving electromagnetic fields and don't have any problems "

Chances are, as the two previous posts have said, that you won't have any problems but if you do, you will need to move from your position next to the doors .

Best of luck

Ian

Its ok.

by Rogue427 - 2014-12-07 09:12:28

I'm a electrician with a ST> Jude's ICD-pacemaker. I work around 480 volts most of the day. I also have a OSUN meter (bottom right of this site) than lights up by the spot welder and some of the main feeds coming into the buildings. No problems. When I work on welders I just step back when they weld. GL.

Grateful Heart

by IAN MC - 2014-12-08 02:12:12

As Robo implied, I think you have taken enough already so please don't take the bait as well !

Ian

HA HA

by Grateful Heart - 2014-12-08 02:12:29


Not taking the bait.

You guys....

by Grateful Heart - 2014-12-08 02:12:34


...are so funny.

Ian: Since you have had similar experiences with interference from security doors/ gates, I guess that would apply to you as well.

BTW: Thanks for the backup/ confirmation. It appeared I was going it alone on this one. :-)

Where is KarenLF anyway? No response?

Grateful Heart

Implant 2008

by KarenLF - 2014-12-09 07:12:30

2008 was my first implant.

Wasn't until I started reading other posts I started wandering if there would be any affects from electrical fields.

KarenLF

Thanks for the info.!!!

by KarenLF - 2014-12-09 07:12:55

Thanks ! It's great to ask questions and get a helpful response!

Haven't had any problems so far . . . although I was daft enough to wear a sports monitor around my chest. Live and learn!

:-P

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

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