Are pacemaker/defibrillators and metal detectors compatible?

[Hunt4Fun]

A good friend of mine has an implanted combination pacemaker and defibrillator. He is very eager to go metal detecting with me but is afraid to because of the magnetic field generated by the detector. He has been advised by his doctor to avoid strong magnetic fields that might interfere with proper operation of his implant.

I have two questions. First, has anyone heard of a coin detector type of metal detector causing an adverse reaction in a pacemaker or defibrillator? Second, do any of you detectorists have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator? If for any reason you do not want to answer one or both of these questions publicly, please send me a PM.

As long as it is safe for him, I would like to teach him what I know about detecting. Both he and I are convinced that he would really enjoy detecting.

All replies will be appreciated,
Bob

 

[bob n.]

hunt4fun, my dad had a defirillator and was advised never to go though a metal detector(airport etc.) or be scanned with a metal detector, so it sounds to me that it wouldn't be a very good idea to be around any type of metal detecting device. hh, bob n.

 

[Bugar In. USA]

I got one, at airports and walk thru detectors, it just sets them off because it is metal, all persons with devices carry a ID card with name and serial # on it to show security personnell, I belong to a pacemaker-de fibulator support group and we are instructed on this and instruct other persons, just no welding, large generators, or under the hood of running automobiles, and other things just use common sence, they are very advanced from the first ones that were made, the device has sheilded wiring and insulation, =they should be, mine just cost $99,940.00 about 16 months ago,, and all the newer devices, the wearer is tracked by a sattelite, by big brother, they know where I am at all times, and all other people with pacemakers that are current , oh yeah, don't carry yer cell phone in the t shirt pocket that is over the pacemaker, (NOT A GOOD THING TO DO)

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I posted this same question on quite a few of the forums. All of your replies have been printed and presented to my friend.

Also gave him a printout of a PDF file from www.guidant.com. It gives a lot of practical information about the strength of the magnetic fields of various electrical/electronic devices.

I have continuously told him to wait for a green light from his doctor and/or his device manufacturer. I am just trying to arm him with information.


Thanks again, Bob

 

[Bugar In. USA]

Was issued/ given all this information when the pacemaker/defibulator was placed in his body at the hospital, all he had to do is read it, just like the instructions on a metal detector, if he don't read them you will have to help him a lot there too, Instructions do have a purpose, even on a toaster or BB gun, just have him read instructions on a few things, makes things lot easier to understand. We had one guy bout 80 yr old ask if he could still climb his tv antenna tower 60 ft and work on it, or would there be electrical dangers, we told him THERE WOULD BE MANY DANGERS, think about it

 

[Dan-Pa.]

The FCC has strict regs relative frequencies and the like which should
in some way offer some protection..Heck just contact the powers to be that put the apparatus in his body as he or she should have all the answers, hate to see a fellow detectorist be put in harms way to enjoy the hobby...