Sailing and health

KD3PC · Jun 19, 2014

I would think that the restriction would be for a bit after the unit is installed? I would ask.

My neighbor, in his late 80's, does everything he has ever done, except cold start a chain saw. He will bring it over to me, to start, we let it warm up and then shut it down. He takes it to his tree and is able to pull start it when warm. I can't think of anything else that he can't do, since having his installed some years ago.

I had the venture version of your boat, and doubt that the main would be that much pull.

Best of luck.

Dunlookin · Jun 19, 2014

More Than Anything...

...this is a self help/resource site.

1). I don't have an extra one but, I have seen plans on how to build one from old refrigerator parts.
2) My research indicates the inatallation is pretty straight forward but, may be a little too advanced for the DIYer.
3) Most sites do not recommend the 6 volt golf cart battery for power as some users have complained about the weight.
4) In any case...as always...post your pictures and let us know what problems you encountered in the install. There may be a few of us needing the same "upgrade."
GOOD LUCK!

31seahorse · Jun 19, 2014

Hello tssywfb, That sounds like another good reason to have friends onboard.

Dunlookin: Nice post, too funny!

tommays · Jun 19, 2014

Having destroyed my left shoulder and spending years rehabbing it i would want to understand the why and how they came up with the 35# figure

While 18 years later i have worked my way around the 40% range of motion loss i did get rather good at doing things one arm man style

Les · Jun 19, 2014

Okay, I'm eighty and am sailing my Hunter 27. I also have an aneurism and shouldn't lift more then ten pounds. So I use a WinchRite to unfurl and furl my main and jib. Because the jib is so small, I hardly need the WinchRite for tacking but have used it in the past. I suspect it would also work for pulling up an anchor (I use a light weight Fortress) but I mostly day sail.

Keep sailing--it's good for your health.

Ted · Jun 19, 2014

My 3 year old grandson has a pacemaker and is unrestricted with his activities. It's impossible to slow kids down anyway. Other than avoiding a direct strike with a bat, hardball, hockey puck, they are pretty reliable. One of his leads did break a few months ago but wasn't attributed to his activities. The doctors classified it as "Bad Luck" Follow your doctors orders.

Sailing is an activity where you can reduce the amount of force needed to perform a particular task. More powerful winches, increasing the purchase power of running rigging with a few additional blocks. Just play smarter by doing things like using your primary winch to haul an anchor or inviting friends to join you. Sailing is one of those sports that will be part of your life for a very long time, with or without the pacemaker.

Allan Frey · Jun 19, 2014

I've had one for many years and I do everything I've always done on a boat. I just avoid putting significant direct pressure on the pacer area, eg, don't press the pacer against a stanchion when leaning out to pull a dinghy aboard.

Paul Mermelstein · Jun 19, 2014

A search on the web supported my opinion, which is that after a period of time, such as 6-8 weeks, you can resume your regular activities. I believe that the restriction you cited is for the initial period after the procedure. Lots of people play tennis, golf, and so on after a pacemaker installation and their recovery period. But talk to your Doctor, of course, for specific advice on your situation.

Anonymous 121765 · Jun 20, 2014

TSS,

We are not medical experts. Sorry, you need to have this done but, ya gotta do what you gotta do. When having to get information on anything, the internet is a trove of knowledge, but it takes time & filtering to weed out out the ****.

Find what you can, and back this up info from more than two independent sources. Make notes on specific questions needing answers from the doctors. Be in-depth in your approach to writing all of your questions. Doctors like it when they see you are up on what your condition is. Remember, knowledge is power.

You may discover your perceived future may be brighter than what you fear now.

CR

shemandr · Jun 20, 2014

It's myopic to expect the Dr. to say "Yeah, go do whatever you like."
Tell him you are going to continue sailing with or without his approval. Then you can have an honest discussion of what the risks you will be taking actually are.

David in Sandusky · Jun 20, 2014

Just had a pacer put in

Otherwise I am very healthy for 69. I was on various restrictions until about 6-8 weeks after the "installation." Early research identified "clavicle crunch" as the main cause of lead failure, the principle issue once you have recovered from the implant surgery itself. There was talk of 50 pound restrictions. I asked for P.T. to show me how to exercise and move without crunching the leads between my clavicle, and my ribs. My doc (a top electro-cardiologist here in Columbus, OH) said he did an axial lead insertion which protected me from clavicle crunch, and reiterated that I had no physical restrictions other than avoiding a blow to the device. (Football, rugby, boxing...)

A lot of these guidelines are aimed at folks with serious underlying heart issues, who are no longer very active. Engage your doc in a serious, deep conversation on the issue, and get a second opinion if you want it! We will live with these things for the rest of our lives, so active understanding of how they help us and how to take care of them is in order. But unnecessary curtailing of healthy physical activity is a serious health risk. Use it or lose it is the way my gerontologist Admiral says it!

Benny17441 · Jun 20, 2014

The technology has improved much. A few years ago I heard of a lady that was having a debilitating irregular heartbeat and the doctors recommended to sever the nerve endings at the heart and allow it to run only on the pacemaker. She was very unsure about relying on an electronic device but she did not have other options as her health was deteriorating. She went ahead and had the procedure and although she was fearful she felt better immediately. Last I heard she was still kicking the can around. There is probably no reason why you could not continue sailing.