Harness Question

[mailin 0]

Hello everyone,

I have a harness/safety question for those experienced ones (obviously not myself included).

I have an ICD/pacemaker implanted in my left shoulder - more towards center, 1/2 inch under my collar bone.

I've gotten the ok to jump from my doctor, but didn't call my pacers device manufacturer and won't be able to get a hold of them until Monday.

I know it should be okay for me to jump as I've done rock climbing with similar harnass' and they said that was ok. The only thing to be worried about is pressure against the device (which would take alot, as its pretty much impossible to see the device (except for the huge scar of course) and takes some pressing to really feel it anyway). I would like to get some extra padding under my left shoulder strap (when I eventually get my own equipment) and wanted to know if thats possible.

I wouldn't want something like a hard opening to cause lots of pressure to affect the device, and don't want my pacer/ICD to keep me from doing something I'm loving.

So... is it possible to get extra padding or is that going to throw stuff off?

Thanks for any help!

Jennifer

Arianna Frances

[skydiveacapulco 0]

hi jennie.
for your own safety every body will advise you the same seek out all the information and ask the manufactura. (no such thing as a silly question)

just look after your health thats the most important thing!.

good luck.

blue sky sand and sun.

[mailin 0]

Quote

hi jennie.
for your own safety every body will advise you the same seek out all the information and ask the manufactura. (no such thing as a silly question)

Thanks, I plan on it, but also wanted to find out if the extra padding was possible so I can present that as an option when I speak to them on Monday.

Thanks again!

Jennifer

Arianna Frances

[pilotdave 0]

I'm definitely no expert but in my experience, lots of pressure on the chest isn't very likely. Most of the pressure of an opening is going to be on your leg straps. I'm sure its possible to get pressure on the chest in a really weird, hard opening, but it wouldn't be usual. I doubt extra padding is necessary, but it probably could be done. I'd do anything on both sides though to keep it even.

Hope that pacemaker has an extra fast setting!
Dave

[wmw999 2,444]

Definitely talk to the manufacturer, and get a VERY SPECIFIC diagram of where the wires are, so that you can take it to the DZ. A parachute opening can be a whole lot harder than rock climbing, with the biggest difference being that if you do it "right" you'll be putting more pressure on the front (opening belly to earth) than on the back.

If your doctor and the manufacturer give the OK, the DZ shouldn't have a problem with it. But they are most emphatically the best able to adjust your harness so that turning as you open or anything else isn't going to cause the harness to shift where it shoudln't.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[mailin 0]

Great advice!! Thanks alot! I'll definitely be looking into this more as I move through the training.

Quote

Hope that pacemaker has an extra fast setting!

Believe it or not - I've hardly used it in the 3 years I've had them (just got a new one 3 months ago), just there for 'emergencies'.

Thanks again!

Jennifer
Jennifer

Arianna Frances

[mailin 0]

Quote

Definitely talk to the manufacturer, and get a VERY SPECIFIC diagram of where the wires are, so that you can take it to the DZ.

Great advice! Thanks, I'll be doing that ASAP!

Thanks!

Jennifer

Arianna Frances

[billvon 2,991]

>So... is it possible to get extra padding or is that going to throw stuff off?

-As others have said, seek out doctors who specialize in these things and consult the manufacturer. It would probably help a lot if you could go there prepared with a recent X-ray (to show the placement of the unit and the routing of the wires) and a borrowed rig; that way they can see right there where the pressures will be,

-If padding is neccessary, you may want to consider padding that part of the jumpsuit rather than the harness. Several jumpsuit manufacturers offer padded knees and butt; it shouldn't be too difficult to pad the shoulders if neccessary.

-If you do get padding in the harness, get it on both sides. (Same with jumpsuit.) Padding only one side may lead to off-heading openings since you will always have a shoulder "low" as a result of the padding.

Good luck!

[mailin 0]

Great advice!

I think I'll be sitting down with my doctor next week to talk about all of this and try to the MUGA scan I had done 3 months ago to bring with me. I had no trouble what so ever during my tandem, not even sore shoulders (now my legs were another story), but after reading some of the posts here about hard openings I got to wondering.

Better safe than sorry, always.

Thanks again!

Jennifer

Arianna Frances

[lovinit 0]

Jennifer, You are not forgetting the most important part, your health and safety. Keep that in the forefront and you will be succesful.

Blue skies and soft landings

Darren

[mjosparky 4]

Bill had a great idea, pad your jumpsuit. There is a foam called visco-elastic foam and I think it would fit you needs. It is used in several ejection seat for the cushion and I have made a couple of wheelchair cushions for friends. Contact this place and see if you can get some. I think it comes in 3 densities. http://www.oregonaero.com/index.htm
Good luck, Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[Shindagrl 0]

Jennifer, my dad had the same concerns when he jumped with an Infusaport. He brought dressing pads and medical tape to pad his chest, but didn't do it because of where the harness hit him. In hindsight, it could have been a problem, but fortunately it wasn't.

I love the idea of padding your jumpsuit. I think it would offer protection over a greater area than padding the harness.

Take care of yourself first, and then go have some fun!

Blue ones-

Shinda

An audience of 35 head of cattle was not exactly what I had in mind for that last landing.........