Hmm, after all the great feedback and working very hard (and succeeding!) for last three weeks to get my sad brain to shut up and my body to get into the pool, I fell and broke my hand. :shakeshead:
So now my question is, has anyone ever swum in a waterproof cast (doctor said it was a possibility once I'm a little bit healed)? I've asked a few people and have been advised against it, in that they say these casts begin to reek quite quickly (I'm assuming that at least for a few weeks I won't be able to take it on/off).
Perhaps this will be my opportunity to cross-train extensively.... Take up ballet again.... Shoot! is all I can say. Four to eight weeks of cast-ville.
Advice re waterproof casts? (I did search here but nothing popped up.)
isobel
Former Member
I have not had first hand experience with the water proof cast - HOWEVER - my 6 1/2 year old son had one all summer.
1) It did not stink
2) I did not have to worry about bagging his arm for a shower
3) He tells it best - "I beat all the kids at freestyle with my cast and butterfly too and I'm only 6 1/2!"
It was worth every penny of the $30 extra that insurance didn't cover.
I had a waterproof cast way way back in the late 70s and it was fine for swimming. It didn't get funky and was very lightweight. The particular day was the end of my skateboarding career.
Former Member
I've had one before. Swimming with it definitely altered my stroke, but my stroke returned to normal once the cast was removed. I don't recall it getting stinky. I would put one on. If you don't like it, just have it removed and get a more traditional cast (so long as this isn't a budget breaker).
Former Member
Cast off your cast a soon as you can I wore my ankle cast for 2 days after breaking my ankle but took it off. I swam in the 1958 BE and Commonwealth Games with a broken ankle and just had it wrapped in a tensure bandage and had a novicane injection. I swam my fastest 100 m fly with it on. My 100 m free a different story I was slower by 3 seconds.
Former Member
(I'm assuming that at least for a few weeks I won't be able to take it on/off).
isobel
And to add...you are in charge of your own health. If you want the waterproof cast put on right away, then ask for it. I'm not a doctor, but unless you had an odd break, I see no reason to postpone it.
I had mine put on right away--parents insisted. No problem here.
Former Member
Get the waterproof cast and get back into the water. If you are concerned about the smell, there are always de-odorants out there that you can pick up at the supermarket. All the bst, and get better soon!
Former Member
I had a waterproof (fiberglass) cast when they first came out, back when I was...14?...on my forearm.
It never smelled, although having it wet all day since we did doubles was a little irritating. I tried to dry it with a hair dryer as best as I could before going to school. It also tended to drip water for a little while after swimming--again, the hair drying helped that.
There was little, if any, skin deterioration compared to my friends who had plaster casts. My skin looked fine, and wasn't peeling or anything after the cast was removed. My arm did not have much muscle weakness afterwards, either. Although I could feel somewhat of a difference, it only lasted a week or so.
The best part...My coach suggested that they wrap a paddle with the fiberglass onto my forearm so I had some extra resistance when I swam. My times during meets really weren't too far off my best times, and of course I had coaches from other teams complaining, even though I didn't place near where I would have placed. After I swam my 1500 with my cast on at a meet I received a standing ovation from everyone on the deck. Loved that.
Also...no one wanted to swim in my lane for fear of the accidental wallop my cast would give, especially during fly sets!
OK. Got waterproof cast. Only AFTER I paid the $78 extra did the doctor redefine "swimming" for me. I can't put any pressure on my right hand (I fractured it at the wrist; it's slightly dislocated but healing OK so far), but I can kick.
So, will I screw myself up if I do lots of one-arm drills for left arm? One-arm fly, one-arm free, etcetera, in addition to tons of kicking? Or will I mess up my impeccably balanced stroke (ha ha ha ha).
I think I'm going to be in this state for at least a month. Advice? I will have one INCREDIBLE kick if I do this for an hour and a half every practice, must say. Also, cast I got doesn't sound like what people were describing. Looks just like other one only it has plastic liner. Or maybe this is what you all were talking about. Thanks for feedback.
My daughter had one at age 12. I loved it 'cause I could always tell which swimmer was her!:applaud:.
Former Member
Can you do fist-swimming drills ? Or swim with one hand in a fist ?
Doc's orders post-op I had to keep my head dry for a month this spring. I did about 2000y kicking per workout with a kickboard. It helped build up my legs.
If all you can do is kick, I'll recommend including dolphin kicks on the back sometimes arms streamlined, sometimes with arms at side. Also on side. They are great for abs.
