On Sun, 10 Aug 2003 13:06:23 +0100, Paul Burridge
wrote:

On 10 Aug 2003 03:22:06 GMT, (Avery Fineman)
wrote:

I really don't know the medical-biological low threashold for direct
cardiac stimulation through an opening in the chest cavity. I don't
care to know. I care to know NOT to futz around with my or anyone
else's body with anything above the "30-30" limits.

As a general safety rule I'm sure you're right. However it does
overlook the fact that different individuals have different tolerance
levels, hence the fatality at 12V (the only recorded one, I believe)
and that Polish electrician who checks for the presence of 230VAC by

It also matters what the surface resistance of your skin is, and how
good a "connection" to the nervous system and heart.

For example, You could put dry fingers on a 9V battery and not feel a
thing, but if you lick your fingers first, get a real tingle. Same
voltage, but the moisture allows current to flow.

In medicine, the defibrillator paddles are covered with a conductive
gel, and use a precise pulse of voltage and current. In open heart
procedures, lower voltage and current is used, with paddles applied
directly to the heart.

Of course, disrupting the heart rhythm may happen with lower voltage,
especially AC or RF.

Why is being careful such a problem for some?

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom