Hi all
Hubby had his stroke 8 months ago and still has very little movement in his left arm and leg. We love to swim so I would like to take him swimming and I’ve found a physio who will come with us for the first time to make sure there are no surprises.
We’ve found a local pool with a hoist and they can give us pool noodles and balls but I wonder if another buoyancy aid might be useful?
Have any of you lovely people used a jacket of some sort, just in case?
Many thanks for your help
Me
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I used to scuba dive before stroke, with the BSAC.
I got water confidence late in life.
I began sitting in the shallow end then ducking forward to get head underwater. Then doing the same to open eyes underwater.
Eventually I moved to swimming in shallow water where it was easy to stand up. Then in a bit deeper progressing to underwater for gradually longer. I don’t think these stages should be hurried.
At the same time I found I could lay on my back, face up, arms outstretched, relaxed and simply float, at first in shallow water. Like lying on a bed.
Eventually I would jump off a boat out at sea, swimming around then climbing back in the boat. I grew to love the water and took up snorkelling and then recreational scuba diving, mostly in British waters. I trained and then began instructing others in the club I joined.
I am acutely aware of the dangers in all water activity and have not returned to any of that since stroke.
However I think that with the right support and a very gradual and timed introduction there are possibilities.
Core strength, balance, confidence and so on will affect the outcome.
Take your time enjoy a little and often.
The experience could and with care should be beneficial.
Think ‘shallows’ and ‘safety’ and stick to that.
He will be totally reliant on whoever is with him.
In many ways we who have been struck are physically much like babies. We need to be protected but encouraged to learn. We have little real sense of danger and so need help with that.
Best wishes from a one time diver.
it just occurred to me that wearing his stab jacket might be a help.
Shallows only,it might not be practical.
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I have a similar situation in my left arm. I find I can swim if I use a sort of side stroke technique. Getting in the pool is usually easy, getting out can be harder.
Good luck, it will be a return to normality.
Janet
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Thanks. The bouyancy aid was to increase hubby’s confidence but there will be three people with him including a physio for the first time. If all goes well I’m hoping to be able to take him myself in future. I get impatient waiting for others.
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Thanks.
That’s my hope. A little bit if normality in this new world we find ourselves.
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I was never much of a swimmer but have been in a pool a few times since my stroke. I have a very lopsided swimming stroke but so find it easier to move in a pool.
Taking it slowly to start with and not straying out of his depth will help build the confidence.
When I was in Majorca recently a life guard helped someone into the pool who was wheelchair bound and they stopped with them whilst they held on to the side and the lifeguard did get them to take a few steps. So if you stay with him & help him , & having a physio go too will be a big help, all should be ok. Slow and steady.
Good luck
Ann
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I went swimming for the fist time 5 weeks ago, had my stroke 6 months ago, walking but finding coordination not good . I used a large float with my legs off the back gaave me a chance to get my legs going, breast stroke style before going for it on my own, nearly managed 25 meters . Good luck on your swim .
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Well done. Sadly hubby isnt even close to walking but we’re hoping his body recognises the water and how he swims. Any movement is a bonus for us.
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I’m just hoping his paralysed side doesn’t sink like a brick whilst his good side floats = eskimo roll!!!
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Hi I don’t know where you are but for a while around 20 years ago I used flotation chambers as relaxation therapy. Think a big space age dome that opens then you get in and lie in a dead sea effect and float with tranquil music once the dome closes and some tiny leds twinkling away. I don’t know if that’s local to you or even a goer to build water confidence.
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Hi, my neighbour actually bought me a flotation session as I’d been visiting hubby in hospital every day, all day for 4 months.
Ours is pretty local but hubby wouldnt be able to physically get in. Theyre small private tanks with big steps.
Great idea though.
Thanks
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Damn sorry to hear this, I’m a good swimmer too but loved it. If I can think of anything else will let you know.
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Hi Jane
The first time I rried swimming i just kept rolling which made me laugh hysterically. It’s got better but swimming on back with noodles is easier than breast stroke. I used to be good and strong with the latter. I have heard that sone people use buyoancy aids, even water wings can be helpful. Have you got access to hydrotherapy locally? Had 4 sessions with NHS, otherwise i practise with a friend or pay privately. Hope he enjoys.
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I love that and suspect he’ll roll too. His right side is very strong and I think that’ll be quite bouyant but his left side is a dead weight and I think that’ll want to sink.
The swimming pool have offered the use of their noodles and the physio has a life jacket.
The NHS hydrotherapy unit closed because of covid and has never reopened so I’m paying the physio and going to a public pool. 
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He might want to try a Bum Float.
Thanks.
We’re finding pool noodles very helpful as he gets better at controlling his body. Ill check that out though. Cheers