Swimming

[Jilly]

I have heard talk of many SCI people swimming for both pleasure and exercise.
I agree, it is a fantastic sport for those with disabilities and without....but....

My guy tried swimming once since his accident, and apparently when he 'jumped' into the water - his paralysed part floated, and his un-paralysed part sunk and he nearly drowned himself, as he was head down - bum up in the water! Luckily he was close to the side of the pool and managed to claw his way up the side before he did.

So how on earth do you manage to swim without drowning yourself?...Weights on your feet?

[Gary Anderson]

OK folks, I posted about this on Simon's site and it appeared on here. This is the query I was asking about.

[BABS]

I have posted this on both sites now:

While I was in rehab at Marianjoy, I did have water/swimming therapy for relaxation and upper body strengthening.  I was transferred to a power lift and lowered into the pool near the steps

here's a link to a similar product:  http://www.sammonspreston.com/Supply/Product.asp?Leaf_Id=7185SP


once in the water, the physical therapist put a float around my neck to keep my head afloat

here's a link to a similar product:  http://www.aquaticnet.com/sp-bodyfitcollar.htm


and one around my waist to keep my torso afloat,

here's a link to a similar product: http://www.sammonspreston.com/Supply/Product.asp?Leaf_Id=924886



I was then able to float on my back and use my arms to do a basic backstroke. 

Hope this helps,
Barb

[Ragadeyanne69]

Hi there,
Just wanted to say about the swimming,Tell him not to give up and thats coming from me...lol...
I'm lazy an should do so much more but maybe if i spend a little longer on here seeing how others dont give up,it will make me pull myself together.
I go swimming in a hydro pool every week and all of me would drown but my partner comes in wit me and i use loads of different floats.The long ones i put under both arms an over my chest,gr8 b4 swimming on ya back.
But soz as 4 on my front i'm trying to work that one out.
Good Luck
Tan

[Catucci]

Hiya Jilly

Glad you posted this ?.  Nico keeps saying about it so I think we might give it a go.  He did have a go when in rehab but said he was that trussed up with weights he could hardly move and felt like the Mitchelin Man!  You're just gonna have to get your cossie out and be his float/lifesaver!  Think that's what I'll do, I just hope there's nobody around that I know cause me in a cossie is not nice ha ha lol!

xx Cat xx