Air bags in cars

Hi there guys and gals. I live in England and driving laws diffo in my country to other countries. We do not have to wear seat belts in my country if we have a pacemaker implant because if a collision occurred, the impace on the implant site could be quite harmful. So I am wondering about air bags that inflate on impact inside of cars. Any info would be totally useful to me
Thanks for any help
Fluzy Suzy

7 Comments

oh boy

by jessie - 2008-07-19 10:07:34

i drive about four car lengths behind and never pass if i can help it as i worry about that very thing. i sat in the back when i first got my p.m. it worries me too. here in canada we have to wear our seatbelts. it is a good question. hope others respond. i am short and have to be right up there to reach the gas and brake jess

seat belts

by dw5281 - 2008-07-20 02:07:00

I live in England as well - are you sure this is true? I find it hard to believe - I'd much rather the pain & discomfort from an impact with the seat belt rather than being thrown through the windscreen! Do you have a certificate of exemption then? There's nothing in the seat belt laws that say that you do not have to wear seat belt with a pacemaker - exemptions are delivery drivers, private hire drivers (some occasions), if your teaching someone/doing a reversing action - otherwise you need the certificate - I never thought a Doctor would agree to something like that!

AIBAGS

by pete - 2008-07-20 02:07:02

They are not a problem for pacemakers. But do not hog the steering wheel. This issue has been looked into and it is safer for you to have an airbag. If you have a switch to turn it off. do not turn it off. Cheers pete

Always buckle up!

by auntiesamm - 2008-07-20 06:07:52

For many years I worked in acute rehabilitation and saw many, many tragic cases of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury due to no seatbelt! Nothing can keep me from wearing mine at all times. When my grandkids were all little and got in the car with me I always told them they car did not start until everyone had their seatbelt fastened. And, I meant it! For myself: I would rather take a chance on dislocating my PM than having my head go through the windshield and sustaining a brain injury or even a spinal cord injury. No thanks! Seat belts are some of the best insurance we have available today. Buckle up!

Sharon

Yep, buckle up.....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-07-20 10:07:28

In Canada, we have to wear seatbelts but I had some concerns, seeing as I'm pacemaker dependent.

I asked my EP Guy and he says you should always wear a seatbelt.

Says you might get bruised and need to have it checked, after any accident but it beats being thrown out of your vehicle or through the window as others have stated.

I *do* put the seat back a bit......but wear a seatbelt always.

It's very hard to get an exemption in Canada, almost impossible.

Bionic Beat

seat belts and air bags...

by pacergirl - 2008-07-20 11:07:46

Well, I drive a lot. I like driving and I like to drive fast. I like to drive safe. I do follow most of the speed rules and laws... especially around schools and parks.
I have given it some thought a long time ago, about the PM, seat belts and the air bags. I have decided for me to never drive without a seat belt on myself or any of my passengers. The fear of having an accident and my head going through the windshield is reason enough for me. In the unlikely event that I need the airbag to deploy.... I will be giving thanks to the people who designed the car, that it has worked. I can get new wires and even a new PM and a another car, but I can't replace my life. This may be an unpopular opinion.... but it is the way I live. If a collision ever should happen... I will be fine.
My biggest concern isn't that the PM would be damaged.... it is surviving the crash that has my attention.
Happy driving. zoom, zoom!
Pacergirl

Seat Belt laws

by Fluzy Suzy - 2008-07-21 06:07:34

thanks you guys and gals for replying to my message about seat belts etc. After implant I asked my cardiologist about seat belts and he said it is a very wise thing to do to wear one but can cause problems in case of an accident so should be an exemption. After being stopped several times by the police for not wearing a seat belt - all I have said is I have a pacemaker and they replied ok, take care and let me go - so is it a case of one rule for one and one rule for another - i have it in writing from my cardiologist also about my pacemaker just to be sure.
Thanks
Fluzy Suzy

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.