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Original poster

I'm looking for swimming aids (not nappies!)

32 replies

meltedmarsbars · 02/02/2010 21:45

for a physically disabled dd2 who is 7 and not much cop in water.

She can thrash about when held, but apart from a full-on life-jacket, what would you recommend as a swim aid?

Btw her shoulders spontaneously dislocate and she has hypotonia++.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
NorthernSky · 02/02/2010 22:03

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NorthernSky · 02/02/2010 22:06

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MyNewPans · 02/02/2010 22:35

A noodle seat?

NorthernSky · 02/02/2010 22:38

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jubee · 02/02/2010 23:05

Hi. I found this fab swimming aid. cant remember where though. Its like a belt thing with 4 polystyrene tubes about 8" long that fit across the back of your child. this leaves arms free for swimming. also it was great beacuse as son got better at swimming could take one of the tubes off. it was a great thing beacuse the child floated and felt independent, also leaving you with hands free, and they were really lightweight. hope i have described it ok, wish i could draw a picture for you !!!

MyNewPans · 02/02/2010 23:21

NorthernSky, it is very supportive.

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 03/02/2010 09:20

My problem is that as soon as you let go in a float suit, she drops her head forward and into the water.

I have asked school what else they have seen, may get some ideas there.

Jubee, I had something like that for dd1 (able) when she was a toddler. Gave her great freedom in the water.

Dd2's tone is too low to support herself I think. Its difficult to know what to buy without splashing out (!) on a suit and trying it.

The noodle seat looks a good idea. I'll have a closer look at that too.

Thank you all!

OP posts:
MyNewPans · 03/02/2010 15:17

Mars, wondered if the swim collar or float ring would be suitable?

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 03/02/2010 15:28

Thanks, I'll have a look at those.

OP posts:
borderslass · 03/02/2010 17:46

when mine were young we had a swimsuit which had floats in front and back don't know if you can still get them

SE13Mummy · 03/02/2010 19:18

How about a swim fin?

www.swimfin.co.uk/

cloelia · 03/02/2010 20:07

I got a brilliant thing from Fledglings (guess you could google them, it is ages since i used them). it is called a SWIMI. I think it is German or Swiss .It is an inflatable thing, cross between a rubber ring doughnut shape and a rocket shape. It has tapes to go over the child. The great thing is the child's head can't dip forward or back. I am explaining it really poorly but it was the only answer for my DD who had virtually no neck control, her head would plunge into the water. Do hope you can find one. They come in a couple of sizes, my DD used it till she was about 7 but after that the water pressure was too much for her and she could not breathe. Incidentally I have it hanging unused in my house, I would happily post it to you.

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 03/02/2010 21:26

Borderslass, SE13Mummy: thanks for those, but I don't think her head control is good enough!

Cloelia, I've had a look and have found a Fledglings webpage but can't find what you describe. fledglins

OP posts:
silverfrog · 03/02/2010 21:48

mmb, I think this is what Cloelia is describing, but I can't find anywhere to buy one.

gutted, as it would be ideal for dd1 too!

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 03/02/2010 22:09

It looks nice but I think you'd have to be able to grip and hold on a bit?

She can't do that either! She would just slip off!

I need to go and have a snoop in the hydro pool cupboard!

OP posts:
cloelia · 03/02/2010 23:16

can't open silverfrog's link for some reason!! child did not grip on to this aid, it fitted tightly around the top of her torso and the tapes stopped it floating off. Fledglings used to have a "find it for you" service, do they still? My dd's arms sort of sat on top of the ring as far as I recall., Unfortunately I do not have any digital pics of it but could take a photo of the one I have if you want, melted! Hydro helpers might have one tucked away.

silverfrog · 06/02/2010 18:01

cloelia,

you said earlier your SWIMI was hanging unused... would you be happy to sell to me? (unless meltedmarsbars wants it? it is her thread, after all ) sorry to be cheeky, but nothing ventured, nothing gained . would be more than happy to buy and pay postage.

it looks really good, and we think it would be a useful thing for dd1, who is enjoying swimming, but I can't find anywhere to source it.

I'll give fledglings a ring next week too, and see what they say.

glittery · 06/02/2010 19:43

lots of products here

BigWeeHag · 06/02/2010 20:06

I have used something similar to this (scroll down) - a head cradle. Also use 3 noodles, one under neck/ shoulders, 1 under hips, 1 under knees.

cloelia · 07/02/2010 17:40

silverfrog I do not want any money for it , it is years old and looks it but I will happily post it to you and you can bin it if you do not want it, provided melted mars does not want it!

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 08/02/2010 10:04

Silverfrog - feel free - sorry I haven't been on here, gets a bit busy at weekends! I don't think the swimi would be supportive enoguh for dd2's extremely low tone.

Thanks for all the suggestions from you all - lots to investigate.

OP posts:
mebaasmum · 08/02/2010 11:39

This site may have something
www.swimfriends.co.uk

oddjob3 · 08/02/2010 13:17

Hi I am a qaulified swim teacher who also works with Special needs, children and adults. It is very hard to find suitable aids for use in the water and I would deffinately not recommend the Zip up suits that have been mentioned. All that happens is that the child will spin with then on and usually end up face down in the water, They have no control over this. I would recommend a inflatable collar , which I use with a couple of children and find great, there is also a foam mat very thin and circular with a hole in the middle that will lay on the water that you can lay the child on,so they are still in the water but will not go down. If you are any where near herts yu are more than welcome to come along to my sessions and try out some of the equipment that we have before buying any thing your self.

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 08/02/2010 14:17

Thanks for the tip about zip suits!

Thanks also for the invitation but I'm too far from you!

OP posts:
cloelia · 08/02/2010 14:30

silverfrog I am not on facebook but you could put a neutral address on here and I could post it to you there?