Allied Professionals Community of Practice

  • 1.  Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-05-2022 20:45
    Hi Everyone
    I am hoping someone has the answer to this question.
    Is there a limitation on how deep you can scuba dive with a pacemaker?
    Thanks in advance
    Suzette

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    Suzette Turner MS, NP
    Nurse Practitioner
    Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Toronto ON
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  • 2.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-05-2022 20:48
    I believe they can dive as deep as their certification allows. 

    Best reference is DAN...Divers Alert Network. 





    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-05-2022 21:36
    Call the company tech services. They may have the answer. For some reason, I have 60 feet in my head, but it's been a long time since I was asked this question. 

    Sent from my iPad



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  • 4.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-06-2022 01:19
    I agree with Erica - call the device company or talk to your rep. If I recall, there were some minor differences between manufacturers. They can tell you know what depths are recommended before the pressure begins posing some risk of damaging the device. 

    Laurie


    Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-07-2022 13:52
    It’s vendor-specific, but tech services will know right away. I’ve had a couple of the companies send patient pamphlets and technical specs specifically for divers. Thanks!

    Rebecca Yapejian, MSN, FNP-C, AACC


    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-07-2022 07:57
    So it depends on the manufacturer really.  St Jude can handle up to 7 atmospheres (190ish ft) without any issues, Medtronic - pre-azure was generally 5 atmospheres (160ish ft). Most companies tech services tend to advise keeping it to 100ft or less, but you'll have to call to verify with them.  St Jude has always had the best depth rating, but aside from the diving depth, you'll also have to keep in mind any hyperbaric needs because if there are issues at depth hyperbaric treatment tends to add a curveball to the mix.  When I was doing dive physicals, the guidance we had was keep it to less than 60 feet to be on the safe side, because of the variance in companies.

    James


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    James O'Hara PhD, PA
    Virginia Heart
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-07-2022 08:05
    Edited by Ms. Suzette Turner, MS, NP 10-13-2022 20:39

     

     




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Diving with a pacemaker

    Posted 10-07-2022 08:11
    Also to keep in mind a recreational diver that is open water certified can go down 60 feet, advanced divers can go down to 100, and deep divers can go to 130 feet. Anything below this is considered technical diving and involves planned decompression. 

    I am a dive instructor on the side and the reason I brought up DAN or Divers Alert Network is because this is actually run out of Duke. They do the research on anything medical and dive related. 

    It is free to get information from them for anything medical with regards to diving. Good resource to have in your toolbox. 




    Original Message


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