Adult swimming aids

[TaupePanda]

Bit niche as most adults can swim I expect!
But, I have a c5 and c7 nerve compression in my neck / shoulder, and potential core dysfunction. At the very least a particularly weak core. I have been told to stop rowing - its actually making my shoulder and back worse apparently. I hurt my ankle a while ago and it has never really sorted itself so I can't run again.
So I've been advised to take up swimming as the best course of rehab action but I can't swim really. I managed 10 metres after 3 years of lesson when I was 12 and then quit while I was ahead 😂
Adult lessons locally are all on at times that would be impossible for me so I was thinking of trying general swimming and then wearing a floaty vest - like toddlers have - and just sort of paddling about and seeing where I get to.
There are lots of these online but does anyone know if there are any to avoid / that are great. Or if this is just a really bad idea!!
Thanks

I don't have any experience of float vests, but I find a pool noodle or two very good float aids.
You can sort of sit on them, put them between your legs, lean against them, support under your shoulders from the front or back, or one either side. And they're cheap. And I don't feel self conscious with them 🫣

I think your best plan would be to book a couple of private lessons with an instructor.

There are plenty of folks in my gym pool (which is shallow the whole length) who just walk up and down rather than swim. Or you could do aquarobics classes?

I would go during public sessions when the lanes aren't out and do widths where you can stand up.

I'd buy a pool noodle, kick board and pull buoy the last two can be bought as a set by Maru in a mesh bag, commonly bought by competitive swimmers

Kick board would be difficult to use normally if you have shoulder and cervical spine issues. However, you can lie on them and they will give you buoyancy that way. Pullbuoy raises your hips up and will keep you flat in the water. I would try a noodle first, cheap and versatile. A neoprene vest will give you buoyancy and keep you warm.

I would recommend wearing a rash vest too as it will prevent any chafing from whatever you use.

Thanks all. Lessons and classes aren't going to work - I have a job and two small kids. We have a strict schedule as both my husband and I travel a lot for work. So really not much wiggle room and the adult lessons are all on at super inconvenient times that I just can't make.
I'll look into a kick board, think that would be useful

I'd start with a noodle.

I'd start with a pool noodle. I think a kickboard might be tricky if you're holding it at arm's length and might be tricky to lie on to float on comfortably.

A noodle. I had to use one in late pregnancy with a few stones of baby bump pulling me down in the middle!

They're used a lot in children's lessons and don't overly float you/ change your angle.

I went to adult lessons at 16.

The first thing the instructor did was work on my kick, slow it down and get the technique right. For front crawl, I imagine that I'm just shuffling my feet (like tap dancing). That keeps my kick smaller and from the thigh not the knee.

Then we worked on breathing/ arms. I slice my hand into the water. As I cycle it out, I've breathed out ready and I breathe in to my arm pit. I could only do single sided for a long time then got the hang of alternating on the 3rd breath

I'm self-taught in breast stroke. The DCs were taught bend, star, snap for the legs. At "bend" as I pull my legs into a diamond, I put my soles together to keep it more symmetrical. I kick, then arm, kick then arm.

These days there's lots of youtube videos that are good for technique and instructions.

I'm so glad I learned to swim. I got from 25m to a mile in a year and I now swim open water.