Chiusolo 0 #1 July 27, 2009 Hoping someone out there has knowledge of pacemakers and skydiving? I have a friend that is sixty and has a pacemaker, wants to jump, but is scared that his pacemaker will be a problem. His cardiologist gave him the okay but the pacemaker specialist told him it was a bad idea (I am guessing because he does not have any information). Thanks for your help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #2 July 27, 2009 Get a third medical opinion from a medical professional. Be careful to get a "medical" opinion instead of a "legal" opinion. Try asking the third medical proffessional if his heart is strong enough for tennis or sex or downhill skiing or marathon running. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #3 July 27, 2009 I suspect that the reason that the pacemaker specialist said "no" is that one of the weakest elements of a pacemaker system is the structural integrity of the wires ("leads") that run from the pacemaker itself to the heart. These leads can fracture, which can result in failure of the pacemaker to provide proper sitmulus to the heart. If the leads are broken they have to be replaced $$$. The reason that this is so relevant to skydiving is that a pacemaker is generally placed under the skin in the vicinity of the parachute harness main lift web. The concern probably is that the opening forces applied by the main lift web to the pacemaker, could lead to damage to the leads. My bet is that the above issue is negligible for a single tandem jump. Repeated jumps could place repeated small stresses on the leads and might cause failure. Nonetheless, I expect that there are dozens of sport jumpers who have pacemakers and who do just fine.The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
