Musical Interference

Any performing musicians out there? I had a Defib fitted about 2 and a half years ago. I've been zapped twice in the last 6 months (my first time of being zapped) and both times I've been performing at the same venue with an electric instrument. The Doctor has told me it's just a coincidence. This affected my confidence to play as you might imagine and I became quite anxious about performing. Any similiar circumstances out there,words of wisdom? Any musicians with Defibs? Thanks Steve

3 Comments

I agree with your Doc...

by dward - 2007-11-19 10:11:30

I agree with your Doctor. More than likely a coincidence. You don't say what country you are in, but if you are in the US or Canada, you should be able to get a current checker at your local hardware or building supply store - to make sure the place you are playing (you said it was the same place) has proper grounding.
Two more things you can do:
1) Make sure your amp is plugged into the same recepticle as your PA (if you're experiencing the feeling when approaching your mic).
2) Use wireless on your guitar.
Again though, I work with A LOT of different amps and instruments in our act and have never had a problem.

Hope it works out for you...

Electrical performance

by Scottie - 2007-11-20 12:11:26

Steve,

There's the obvious come-back line about you having such an electric stage presence... sorry, couldn't resist.

Anyway, it just may be a coincidence, but the fact that it was the same location is interesting and may be a clue -- any large electromagnetic fields in that location? Or, was the same equipment being used? Did you get any shocks from your equipment before your device fired?

Large and/or high powered PA sytems and speakers can put out some pretty substantial EM, and since these are pretty low frequency (audio range) fields, it usually shouldn't have an effect on your device. The main word there is 'usually,' though, and EMI is sometimes hard to predict.

I'm lucky in that my pacer doesn't seem to be effected by very much, but I try not to push it. I did get a shock when working on my amp about 2 weeks ago, though. I'm an EE, but I still get careless sometimes.

I always tell people that having a pacer makes me a better drummer, but then they hear me play...

Rock On,

Scottie

coincidence

by joy1 - 2008-05-15 12:05:27

I have had my ICD/PM for 2 !/2 years. I experienced and electrical storm, which is when you ICD fires alot in a short period of time. There was no reason for it to fire and I felt fine but ever since then I have been afraid to be in the location I was shocked in. I actually had to struggle with doing anything because I was so afraid. My point is that it may be coincidence or it may not be, I don't know . What I do know is that our brains will make it's own interpretation of the experience and create anxiety, sort of our minds way of trying to protect you from it being hurt or scared again. So your reaction is totally normal. Try to work through it but also be kind to yourself, getting zapped is no easy thing.

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

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