14 replies to this topic

[ConradB]

I am going on holiday next week for the first time after being paralyzed. I am not concerned about the place itself it is wheelchair accesable and all. Though my problem is I am extremely worried about swimming. Die Oog as it is known is a natural Spring water Spa. So plenty of swimming pools. I skipped the rehab (was to depressed to go to rehab at that stage) So I never learned to swim. What should I do. I struggle to float in our splash pool, And don't want to go look like a total dork with life jacket and all. I scared. Please help!!!

[Trinity]

ConradB, on Mar 5 2009, 10:52 AM, said:

I am going on holiday next week for the first time after being paralyzed. I am not concerned about the place itself it is wheelchair accesable and all. Though my problem is I am extremely worried about swimming. Die Oog as it is known is a natural Spring water Spa. So plenty of swimming pools. I skipped the rehab (was to depressed to go to rehab at that stage) So I never learned to swim. What should I do. I struggle to float in our splash pool, And don't want to go look like a total dork with life jacket and all. I scared. Please help!!!

Have you tried Swim Noodles? Apart from the fantasic name they give you a reasonable amount of buoyancy. I would try it out before you go though, you really don't want to have to be hooked out the water half drowned! Could you swim before your sci? Swimming may be a little different but floating is about the same!

[Zammo]

I'm with Trin. I can swim pretty well even as a para, but treading water is blooming difficult! So I pop a swim noodle under my arms in a U shape so I can bob up and down in the wave pool.

[silone74]

I tried swimming in rehab and at first i nearly drowned i just sank head first that was more to do with the physio putting loads of floats on my legs too far down near my feet???? but when the floats got sorted i was not 2 bad i used the noodle floats and they are realy good i did a few lengths of the pool just with the noodle floats and a float under my neck i must have a big heavy head LOL.





Si

[twisted_ophelia]

Yeah, a noodle/floatie is a good thing for when you're just floating there in a pool. Treading water as an AB person can be difficult nevermind with an SCI, especially for a longer period. I was a really good swimmer before my injury (was on the swim team and everything ) and once you figure out how to swim with an SCI, it's pretty easy. Some people are also more naturally buoyant than others though. For your legs, you can also get these floatation devices that you stick between your thighs and they make your legs float... crap, I can't remember what they're actually called. I think if you went to a pool supply store, they'd know what you mean. I used to train with them when I swam competitively to develop upper body strength.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 05 March 2009 - 03:38 PM.

[Rjeez]

LOL Silone!I've got to try swimming!Haven't been yet-in over 12 months.They wouldn't let us go ib rehab cos of the incontinence problem.Urrgghh!30 paras in a pool !What a thought!(Close your mouth!!)

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

Rjeez, on Mar 7 2009, 01:59 PM, said:

LOL Silone!I've got to try swimming!Haven't been yet-in over 12 months.They wouldn't let us go ib rehab cos of the incontinence problem.Urrgghh!30 paras in a pool !What a thought!(Close your mouth!!)

HAHAHhahaha LOFL!!!

Swimming is the best form of rehab, it builds your shoulder muscles and keeps your joints healthy!...I've found the easiest way to keep your stability in the water, is to strap your legs together. This will streamline your body and allow you to keep your speed and form. You'd be amazed just how much stronger your pushing will be, when you adhere to a solid swimming regiment.

[wheelywendy]

hi conrad i'm L1 para too, i swim using a hip float that are really intended for aqua aerobics, i tried the noodle floats but came out of the pool with my underarms red raw where it had rubbed, a pool attendent tried me in the aqua aerobics float and i found i could swim quite well in it but it i got into difficulties i only needed to stop and it would put me upright in the water (i think aqua aerobics use them to tread water etc) its sort of a belt float, was bit wierd at first but now i can bomb along with it on, i guess it probably also causes some resistance so builds shoulders and arms up even more,
i think strapping feet / legs together might also be good idea, havent tried that one but might next time, i find swimming in the belt quite easy but when you stop you end up upright again so takes bit practice getting going again, when i first started swimming i found my legs, ankles and knees got quite bruised and we couldnt work out why, but my carer worked that one out watching me closely one time, as i got to the side to stop myself going upright i was flinging my self round using my arms to push off the side and apparently my legs and knees were bashing against the side of the pool as they flailed behind me, so im more careful on the turns most of the time now and get less bruises.
good luck with the swimming, it certainly helps with strength for the wheeling
http://www.physicalc...p?productId=AJB http://www.swimshop....i...LT&recno=19
wendy

Edited by wheelywendy, 08 March 2009 - 12:44 AM.

[silone74]

I forgot to say i could only swim on my back not my front when on my front my head just sank but i am not sure if it was the positioning of the floats.

LOL ye i can imagine to state of the pool but they only had 4 at a time when i swam in rehab and i drained the bladder first i hope every one else did now ya got me thinking about swallowing some one elses pee cos i think i swallowed half the pool at one point




Si

[Rjeez]

Bloody hell Silone,how did you injure yourself?Look what it's done to your face!

Only joking.

Ha!"Motorcyle,or sniper fire. . . "With me,I was either on a black ops mission in Afghanistan,or trying to do a really dangerous ballet dancing maneouvre!If only they knew the truth!

Edited by Rjeez, 09 March 2009 - 03:10 PM.

[silone74]

LOL that was taken before i was injured LOL


Si

[Rjeez]

Good god,man!You shouldn't have told anyone!You may have been able to get a massive settlement(Out of court!)for that.

No,but really,I do sympathise.You IS ugly!LOL!

[wheelywendy]

Rjeez, on Mar 10 2009, 09:16 PM, said:

Good god,man!You shouldn't have told anyone!You may have been able to get a massive settlement(Out of court!)for that.

No,but really,I do sympathise.You IS ugly!LOL!

leave him alone i think hes kinda cute in a hairy sort of way!!!!!!!!

[newwife08]

So, on the topic of swimming. My husband's social worker and therapy guru think that swimming would be good for him. Since he is a quad, we are a little concerned about how this is all going to work. I think the biggest concern is his incontinence. He's on a bowel program that is pretty solid, but he is worried about peeing all over between the locker room and the pool. He doesn't cath at all due to uti's.....

Any suggestions other than to bring lots of towels?

[the_walrus]

I agree with Santa cruz soul surfer, I find that strapping your legs toghter helps a lot, a therapist suggest me this a few years ago, and I have been doing it ever since, before my legs where always in the wrong place, and it sometimes made it harder for me to keep my balance in the water.

I'm not sure you will feel confortable with this but it's worth a try anyway,