Cliff jumping

Prior to my pacer insertion (2005) I would occasionallly jump from rock cliffs in water, feet first. No more than a 50 foot jump. Anybody know if this is safe.

4 Comments

NOT ADVISED

by peter - 2008-06-07 04:06:28

Hitting a water surface after jumping from 50 ft can cause a very hard smack on your chest if you fall awkwardly. The instant of contact can be a bit like hitting a brick if you land awkwardly and you cant guarantee that every jump will turn out ok. For pacemaker patients high diving is not recommended. Cheers Peter

Cliff Jumping

by SMITTY - 2008-06-07 07:06:32

Hello Pacer2005,

I say it is your body, your life and your pacemaker and how you want to treat either of them is your business. If that includes jumping 50' into water, so be it. Just be sure you are having fun.

Now a little food for thought. When you jump from a height of 50' you will hit the water at a speed of about 40 to 45 MPH. Now I don't know what your declaration rate will be, but unless you hit the water awkwardly and in such way that your PM receives the direct impact of the contact with the water it should cause no problem. On the other hand, even if you hit feet first this could be a good way to find out how well your pacemaker is mounted and if it is secure enough to stop at the same rate your body does. Otherwise, if it is not mounted securely, it could move south enough to cause a few problems.

Now, before you get peeved at me, I have said all the above with tounge-in-cheek. I'm reasonably certain your speed at impact will be about 40 to 45 MPH. However, from there on I doubt that anyone can predict what happens to your pacemaker, So that leaves you with the thrill of finding out.

Possibly there are some skydivers with pacemakers out there that can tell you their experience. While they will be falling a little faster (probably in the 125 to 135 MPH range) I would guess their deceleration rate on chute opening may be similar to yours, since most of them use a smaller chute to slow down before opening the main one.

One other thing.. You might ask the surgeon that implanted you PM what he thinks about such activity.

I wish you good luck and let us know how things go should you decide to go for these thrills again.

Smitty

Cliff Jumping

by Wannabe - 2008-06-07 08:06:53

Of course it's unsafe. It's called tombstoning here in England, with good reason. Do be sensible! Wannabe

Thank you

by pacer2005 - 2008-06-09 11:06:16

Well, seemingly I have mixed advice however, I think I will stick to being an observer, and watch the friends and family. I guess I will keep fun memories in my head and a safe pacer in my heart. Thanks for you advice. PS. my pacer clinic RN told me not to. ... but being a defiant female and nurse myself I just thought I would survey our fellow pacer clubee's. I was advised to not ride roller coasters either. I did NOT follow that advise and rode a few.... but none of the ones run on magnetry. I had no problems. Thanks all, Leslie

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.