Tips for making the most of your time in the water 

By Amy Hogan

Being in the water can feel like an essential part of a Kiwi summer, whether it’s the backyard pool or a beach holiday.

We have known for a long time that, as well as being heaps of fun, swimming and being in the water can be helpful for cerebral palsy. Hydrotherapy is often recommended by physios and doctors during the summer months.

However, the practicalities of getting in and out of the ocean or a pool can be tricky to navigate as muscles and joints can stiffen due to the sudden change in temperature.

Everybody, and every body for that matter, experiences CP and its effects in different environments in a unique way.

Water-related exercise and pass times are among our most popular getPhysical activities and members have shared with me a number of tips and tricks for making it easier.
These ideas are relevant at all levels of CP, to a greater or lesser extent, as the water and temperature control presents a challenge to muscles, joints, and different movement patterns.

Tips:

• There are several floatation aides on the market for older children and adults that can be used to support a person with CP in the water, e.g. specialised flotation devices and buoyancy aides. Consider discussing the options with a physio or the local swim school.
• Adapted water activities are becoming increasingly common throughout New Zealand – there are swimming coaches and beach wheelchairs. Organisations, like Halberg, have a number of listings.
• If possible, take extra time at the beginning and end of being in the water to allow muscles to acclimatize – try getting in or out of the water slowly or in stages.  
• Have extra towels on hand to start drying and warming up wet parts of the body as you get out of the water, or while you are being transferred in a hoist, so your body doesn’t get too much of a shock from the change in temperature. 
• Have support people on standby in case your muscles begin to tremble or shake, increasing the risk of overbalancing or falling.
• Make sure the surrounding area is as dry as possible to avoid you or your support person slipping.
• Keep an eye out for pressure on the skin either from the side of the pool when entering or exiting, or if you are at the beach as there may be shells or rocks that press against the skin hurting hands, feet or limbs.

For more information, please contact me at amy@cpsociety.org.nz.