Rucksacks

Hi, may I ask how you all get on with carrying a rucksack on your shoulders when out hiking or any general use? Just dawned on me the ICD is right where the straps go!

I enjoy long walks & used to take a medium sized day pack with food/drinks/survival stuff......cheers Mark

5 Comments

Vital Beat

by Graham M - 2019-12-27 16:47:09

If you have a look at the "Vital Beat" ad on this site, you may find something useful to shield your ICD.

Graham.

Backpacks

by Theknotguy - 2019-12-27 17:42:54

I've carried a backpack since the first year with my pacemaker.  Pacemaker on the left and I carry my backpack on the left.  The first few times it hurt a little bit as the skin stretched out.  You shouldn't carry the backpack until the skin heals completely over.  

Like I said, the first few times it hurt as the skin stretched out. I also had sore muscles since I hadn't carried a backpack in about a year.  

We ended up taking a vacation for about 12 days and I had to carry the backpack the whole time.  Also had to put extra stuff in the backpack - meds and a travel CPAP.  Those stayed in all the time and the backpack was about 20 pounds plus.  I was sore for most of the vacation but got used to it by the end of the travel time.  

Since then I've carried the backpack whenever needed.  If I haven't carried it for a while, will be a little sore but that's to be expected.  Otherwise no problem.  

My backpack does have the across-the-front clip and I use it to take the stress off my shoulders.  The clip helps a lot.  The rest of the time I just hang the  backpack off my left shoulder.  No problems.  

Anyway, point being, after the skin healed I was able to carry the backpack on the left side even though my pacemaker was on that side.  No problems.  

I also like to take hikes and have never had any problems with any backpacks.  So I encourage you to keep up the walking and hiking.  Probably carry a lite pack at first and then move up to a heavier pack as needed.  
 

Rucksacks reply

by thegingergeneral - 2019-12-27 18:18:18

Thanks for that thenotguy & Graham 

Sling backpack

by Hoser - 2019-12-28 18:25:15

Check out sling backpacks. One strap to rule them all!

 

stores

by Tracey_E - 2020-01-03 16:26:04

Some stores like REI let you load up the packs with weights and wear them around the store. Slings are a great option. My pacer is low enough that it's not really a problem, I use the same style pack I always have. 

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A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.