Pacemaker/Defibrillator Questions?

[NattysMom]

My parents are coming with us next month (yay!) and my father has a pacemaker/defibrillator combo. He has to avoid metal detectors etc but does anyone else have any specific recommendations?

Can he ride the monorail?
Can he ride any roller coasters like EE or BTMR? Soarin'? Test Track?

Is there a list of ride warning that we can read before we go? I'm worried that he'll be ok. Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[loriandmatt]

so very interested in this same info (as DFIL just had his defib implanted two weeks ago and we leave in two weeks)......

so i am bumping.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are actually 2 past threads that should help you.

This is a link to one thread specifically about Pacemakers from January 2009.

This is a link to a thread about electromagnets (the question was in reference to insulin pumps, but electromagnets that would affect them would also affect pacemakers).

If you 'lose' this thread and want to find those links again, you will find them in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, near the top of this board.

This is a list of attractions with warnings (NOTE: none of the warnings make mention of any magnets, but they do caution those with health conditions like neck, back, heart or high blood pressure).
You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space the more tame (green side) does not have the same warning, but is quite rough. The more wild (orange side) does have a warning.
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain
• Goofy's Barnstormer (this doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride, so it's not completely tame)

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

 

[MousekeMommy]

Hi folks!
We took our little one to DW 2 summers ago. He was 4 at the time, and has had a pacemaker since he was 18 months old.
We did everything that he was tall enough for, with NO ISSUES!!!
We even "co-piloted" the monorail Goofy's barnstormer and splash mountain were no problem, either.
The only concerns that we had were STAMINA! We went in July, and the heat made a wheelchair absolutely necessary (We used a stroller, but just because there aren't any child-size wheel chairs accessible. We were "finished with strollers" normally, but being from Cincinnati, the Florida July heat + lots of walking was a bit much for his heart.)
So I would encourage you to try every ride--the CMs at guest relations and the rides were mostly good with answering questions/addressing our needs, but I would also encourage considering a wheelchair and FREQUENT BREAKS!!!
Hope you have a great trip! Feel free to PM me with specific questions--there may be more that I forgot about, but I was a complete nut asking questions and taking precautions before we left for our vacation. It's just not usual for a 4 year old to have a pacemaker . . .
Jennifer
MousekeMommy

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi folks!
We took our little one to DW 2 summers ago. He was 4 at the time, and has had a pacemaker since he was 18 months old.
MousekeMommy

Actually, MousekeMommy responded to the thread in January too!

 

[NattysMom]

Thank you both very much! I know that he'll want to ride as many things as possible so I didn't want to get his hopes up if there were specific things he shouldn't do.

I know our pace (no pun intended!) will be slower but I'm trying to convince him to rent the wheelchair if he needs it.

 

[NattysMom]

Just to update this...I got a response from Walt Disney World directly when I posed a similar question to them via email. I was pleasantly surprised to receive the following information:

"Equipment such as electric motors and radios that produce electric and magnetic fields are utilized extensively throughout the world and also within our Resort. These fields are generally no greater than you would experience in any urban environment, or may be exposed to through common household appliances such as vacuum cleaners and hair dryers. Although we are unable to give you a list of exact levels for each of our Theme Park attractions, our measurements showed levels below 1 Gauss(0.1 /milliTelsa) which are well below the published 5 Gauss (0.5 /milliTelsa) level of concern for most medical devices such as pacemakers, cochlear implants or insulin pumps according to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists [1].
If you have particular concerns about electric and magnetic fields, you should check with your family physician for specific instructions on how best to manage your visit.
[1] Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents &Biological Exposure Indices - Published by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists 2005 edition, page 145."

I hope this helps someone else as well!

 

[Erniandbert]

I guess I never thought about any of these questions before. My husband had one put in 1 1/2 years ago and he usually avoids theme parks in general. I convinced him it was cruel and unusual punishment not to take our children at least once. I am really going to suggest he consided the ECV for our 5 days, and at the very least for Epcot. This board is quickly becoming an obsession!

 

[grlzmom]

I have been doing Disney for 20 years with Pacemaker and later Pacemaker/Defibrillator (on my third one). Never had a problem with any rides or attractions.

Devices differ in their manufacturer recommendations and always docs may suggest limitations based on your specific condition.

When I get a new device I read the booklet which lists possible interferences in the back and have called the manufacturer on more than one occasion with questions (if anyone remembers the Furbie toys, I had a problem with those). My current device is Medtronic and their customer service department is great.

I make sure to stay well hydrated, and know that I will probably swell up by the end of the day if it's hot outside.

Make use of the first aid stations for resting if needed and enjoy the trip.

Happy thoughts,