Genreal advice needed.

JSP · 27 October 2008, 14:19

Been a bit of a month for me, bought a boat, split up with the wife then had a heart attack. All good fun! I've had to give up my work (wasn't doing to well anyway

) as a Photographer and take things a little easier. I've had a heart condition for a long time so it wasn't a total shock when it happened, but still a bit of a fecking downer. Now living with my parents on there princess 38 on the water.

Why I hear you ask is he telling all this? Well I need a bit of general advice about a few things. I have implanted inside me a Cardiac defib. It's only the size of a zippo lighter but can restart my heart with out much trouble (only trouble is they battery has to be replaced every couple of years). Any one interested can have a read of this ICD
Now things like speakers, car engines etc can mess my ICD up, even turn it off. So I've been looking into what I can and can't go near. First off is I mustn't let my chest come within 2 inches of the outboard. The makers of the ICD tell me Radar is ok (and it'll the one thing I'll never put on my RIB

), Mobile phones and VHF radios must be used on the right hand side of my body/head as the ICD is implanted on the left handside.
So this leads me to my first question. The Icom 71 hand held I have is a great peice of kit but I find it hard to use clipped on the right hand side of me. Can anyone recommend a headset for one of these that doeesn't cost the earth?
You maybe thinking I'm stupid for even thinking about doing some winter cruising but I've got my mind set on it

For cold weather what would be better incase I get dunked? A drysuit or immersion suit? And if so what type/make of suit would you recommend. funnily enough I worked for northern diver in the factory when I was a teenager, wonder if I could still get staff discount

I've got more questions but I think this post is long enough for now. Thanks for letting me tap into your experience.

codprawn · 27 October 2008, 14:32

Ouch!!!

Glad you are still hanging in there.

Definitely go for a dry suit and make sure it's always done up - last thing you need is cold water shock!!!

Stress? Yup women tend to do that to you.............

PeterM · 27 October 2008, 14:49

Bloody hell - talk about bad luck comes in three's ( if you count the wife as one ). I'd be spanking every penny I had on toys & trying to get some 18 year old blonde to worry about the radio !

I'd be in a dry suit if forced , or with an 18 year old blonde ( not in any suit - I dont think I'd mix the two, it'd take too long ).

JSP · 27 October 2008, 14:56

I can see it now.....

Blonde 18 year old WOW that was electrifying!!

JSP (is going a shade of blue)

Blonde 18 year old Are you normally this talkative afterwards?

bedajim · 27 October 2008, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thanks for letting me tap into your experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Well wife's just had baby number 7,

Two house bricks and don't trap your thumbs

Go out and buy a tv

JSP · 27 October 2008, 16:05

Thanks for that.

JSP · 27 October 2008, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Ouch!!!

Glad you are still hanging in there.

Definitely go for a dry suit and make sure it's always done up - last thing you need is cold water shock!!!

Stress? Yup women tend to do that to you.............

Cheers, Dry suit it is then

Nos4r2 · 27 October 2008, 19:28

Might be worth checking with Icom to see if the VHF is safe to use next to a compass and asking the docs again-AFAIK VHF speakers are shielded.

Chris · 27 October 2008, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Been a bit of a month for me, bought a boat, split up with the wife then had a heart attack.

Hmm glad I did not see this post before shelling out on my new rib

Glad to hear that you are still keeping the RIB, I always feel my shoulders dropping and my stress dissapating as I launch mine its a good way to unwind.

JSP · 27 October 2008, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Might be worth checking with Icom to see if the VHF is safe to use next to a compass and asking the docs again-AFAIK VHF speakers are shielded.

Cheers mate I'll have a gander at the manual. I have to contact the makers of the ICD, Siemens.
And if anyone says anything about Siemens all over my chest, you'll get a Rib shaped hole in your backside

JSP · 27 October 2008, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Hmm glad I did not see this post before shelling out on my new rib

Glad to hear that you are still keeping the RIB, I always feel my shoulders dropping and my stress dissapating as I launch mine its a good way to unwind.

Exactly the reason why I'm keeping it Chris

JSP · 28 October 2008, 10:36

Struggling to find out if the Icom is shielded, but the beat goes on. Waiting for an email off the company I bought it from.
Someone down the road from here is selling a dry suit but with slight damage to one of the legs. Not sure exactly what kind of damage yet so before I go down, are dry suits easy to repair?

neil.mccrirrick · 28 October 2008, 13:22

They are, any dive shop should offer the service if you don't do it yourself. all you need is some waterproof glue and some tri laminate, (what a membrane suit is made of) or something else waterproof and flexible, rubber patch etc.

Put a football in the neck, a couple of bottles in the arms and pump it up. Wet it with soapy water, find the hole and the repair it from the inside.

JSP · 28 October 2008, 15:59

Thanks Neil. To do it myself, where would I get the proper materials?

Poly · 28 October 2008, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thanks Neil. To do it myself, where would I get the proper materials?

you can normally buy a repair kit in dive shops, some chandlers (those with divers, and dinghy sailors as significant customers) or from ebay.

JSP · 28 October 2008, 22:27

Cheers, I'll go and have a gander at the dry suit then.

Anthony22 · 29 October 2008, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

you can normally buy a repair kit in dive shops, some chandlers (those with divers, and dinghy sailors as significant customers) or from ebay.

Not a bicycle puncture repair kit, then?!

JSP · 02 November 2008, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Might be worth checking with Icom to see if the VHF is safe to use next to a compass and asking the docs again-AFAIK VHF speakers are shielded.

After me being wrong about the DSC I re read the manual (first time for me) and found out the Icom 71 needs to be kept 90cm away from the compass.

ollocxs

JSP · 07 November 2008, 09:14

Just had a phone call to tell me my handheld will be ok for me to use as long as I don't place it over the area of my chest where the defib is implanted.
Got myself a drysuit and come rain, shine I'm taking the boat out on Sunday! Launching from Knott end (you may have seen wavelength post about the place or read his article on launching over the side.)
Thanks for all the help

neil.mccrirrick · 07 November 2008, 13:21

Think it might be rain rather than shine, 35mph winds and heavy showers are forecast. Good luck :-)