Have you cruised with a defibrillator ?

[chechebean]

Hi, tentatively planning a 5-7 cruise to either Bermuda or Bahamas during October-November, 2010. I will be traveling with my Aunt whom just had open-heart surgery a few months ago. This cruise will celebrate the one year anniversary of the surgery and her new and improved condition. I am well aware that this cruise may get canceled due to a host of issues. I am asking if anyone has traveled with a defibrillator and what their experience has been? I am also wondering which cruise line has the "best" medical facilities on board. When I say best I am referring to newest equipment and technology. I have had the unfortunate experience of utilizing medical facilities in the past. I understand they are a quick fix for minor issues and that the major issues are helicoptered out. I am just trying to do my homework and make an educated decision. Your kind words are appreciated. Happy cruising to all!!

[katisdale]

Are you taking an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) on the ship? They have them on the ships or does she have an internal defibrillator that will shock her as needed? My husband is a physician assistant and took the ultimate ship's tour on our Princess cruise last November. He was most impressed with the facilities on the ship although he thought they needed a CT scanner as well as the x-ray machine they already had and wrote Princess an e-mail to that effect. What was most impressive was that they can send x-rays, lab reports, etc. to Miami for consultation with specialists if necessary. However he also noted you are at sea and may be beyond helicopter coverage for evacuation. Evacuation may be to the nearest hospital, not one in the US or Canada. He was impressed by the drugs available for emergency use including antibiotics, blood thinners, antiarrhymics, etc. I hope this helps with your decision. We now always buy travel insurance as we would want to be returned to our home hospital as soon as our condition stabilized. Getting older isn't always easy but it beats the alternative.

[Splinter]

I suspect the person is talking about an implanted internal defibrillator (similar to a pacemaker), not their own portable AED.

 

You may want to inquire about the licensure and education of the staff in the ship's sick bay. For example, those on Princess are nearly always British. I would be a little more leary of medical staff who are trained and licensed in a non-1st world country.

[sjclynn]

Hi, tentatively planning a 5-7 cruise to either Bermuda or Bahamas during October-November, 2010. I will be traveling with my Aunt whom just had open-heart surgery a few months ago. This cruise will celebrate the one year anniversary of the surgery and her new and improved condition. I am well aware that this cruise may get canceled due to a host of issues. I am asking if anyone has traveled with a defibrillator and what their experience has been? I am also wondering which cruise line has the "best" medical facilities on board. When I say best I am referring to newest equipment and technology. I have had the unfortunate experience of utilizing medical facilities in the past. I understand they are a quick fix for minor issues and that the major issues are helicoptered out. I am just trying to do my homework and make an educated decision. Your kind words are appreciated. Happy cruising to all!!

 

I have an Implantable Cardioversion Defibrillator, or ICD, and have been on two cruises with it. Both have been with Holland America.

 

Travel with an implant introduces one to a new sense of closeness with the TSA. Your aunt should review the information that she received with the device about travel and metal detectors and if she has any questions, review it with her cardiologist. While mine is actually OK to go thru the walkthru metal detector (WMD) but will trigger an alarm. The route of least resistance is to put everything from your pockets, jewelry, belt and all in your carry on as you approach, put them on the belt and tell them you need to be manually scanned. Even if you are a seasoned traveller, you should self select the line for families and assistance. I made the mistake of using the diamond lane at LAX and had to cart my bins all the way to the other end because they couldn't do a manual scan. There may be a person at the selection point that will try to send you to a different line. You don't have to follow their advice if they try to send you to any other line.

 

Ok, you will encounter a similar experience when you board the ship. They are less well prepared than at the airport but just politely, but firmly, insist on what you need. If you leave the ship during the cruise you will likely be screened when you get back on board. The staff will probably insist that the WMD is pacemaker safe but you aunt will have to decide for herself. On my cruises they were set low enough that they didn't pick up my device. Wait until the path is clear and then quickly go thru. A manual scan cannot be refused. If you have concerns, hunt down the chief security officer and discuss it with them. In the unlikely event that there is a problem you will have a name and they will know who you are.

 

Having the CABG and getting a pacemaker is all a lot to take. I hope that your aunt will be adjusted and comfortable with the changes that she has had to make by the time the cruise rolls around. Before I was fully adjusted I went onto the web site of my device manufacturer and printed a list of certified doctors for where I was going. I have never needed the information but it was nice to know that I had it. Now that my comfort level is back to normal, I don't do that any more.

 

The shipboard medical facilities are not going to be able to treat a major cardiac emergency. The approach would be to stabilize and transport. Be sure that you seriously review and select an appropriate travel insurance product that includes emergency evacuation. With the work that she has had done however, she is probably a lesser candidate for an emergency than you are.:)

 

I hope that you and your aunt are able to plan and enjoy this cruise. I have had to make a lot of changes to my life but I don't let my disease own me and I hope that your aunt can reach the same comfort level. You didn't mention her age nor am I going to ask but, I now feel better than I have in years. Best wishes for her recovery.