Metal Detecting Wands

Has anyone had any problems being checked with the wands they use in the courthouses? I went into a courthouse in California this past summer. I told them about the ICD. I didn't have to go through the metal detector but they used a wand on me. In just about a minute or so I started feeling like my heart was racing in the Indy 500. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


5 Comments

Beware of wands

by ted - 2010-01-12 06:01:29

I go through courthouses in California almost every working day and always tell them that I have a pacemaker. They usually ask me to put the stuff from my pockets on the conveyor belt and go around the detector to get patted down. My doctors have told me never to allow a wand to get near me and not to walk trough the detector. Several times in Nevada, the guards insisted on using a wand and came toward me. I yelled for them to back off and said that if I dropped dead they would be guilty of murder. We have had a lot of dialog here about wands and detectors but why take a chance when it is so simple to just ask for a pat down search.


wands

by Tracey_E - 2010-01-12 07:01:01

It's ok to use the wand on our lower half but they shouldn't get it anywhere near our device.

I would expect it to slow you down if it paces you, not speed things up. It should feel like when they test it. Don't know what's up with that!

Once you walk away from it, there shouldn't be any lasting effects.

some employees

by jessie - 2010-01-13 01:01:15

are aware of the metal detector being a detriment to us but one i had came at me with a wand and i screamed no way. i taught her that day that wands can be dangerous too . body search is the only way. lol

Metal Detecting Wands

by WWWYATT - 2010-01-13 09:01:44

Thanks to all of you for your input. Its greatly apreciated. The first time I went through the security there they did pat me down. But not the second time. I don't live in fear with my ICD. But I am hesitant to allow this to happen anymore. Is it worth the chance? After all these things are man made.

Not a good idea

by lenora - 2010-01-16 05:01:18

I am 100% pacemaker dependent and don't want anything to interrrupt my heart rhythm. Both times I've had jury duty I just handed the guard my card and went on the other side of the scanner for a pat down. I'm used to pat downs now and they don't faze or embarrass me at all. Like Ted says, why take a chance when it's so simple? I fight a continuing battle with the local CVS clerks who have that little scanner aimed at ME when I walk up to counter. Everybody knows of course that DO YOU HAVE YOUR EXTRA CARE CARD is the most important of any CVS transaction.

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

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.