DC swimming/life jacket question

[GCS2000]

Well I was hoping this would not be an issue for me but alas it has happened. Those of you that have been I need a little advice on the life jacket/vest situation.

I had knee surgery last week (unexpected of course) and while I am recovering well and the doc cleared me to go on this vacation (assuming I can tolerate the pain of all the walking) what I have trouble with is being able to fully flex/bend my right knee. Needless to say this is going to make swimming a little bit of a bear.

My question centers mainly around the dolphin swim. As I understand it you have to swim out to the deeper end at one point to have the dolphin bring you back. All I want to know is that the life jackets they have will keep me upright enough without me having to do too much. I haven't tried to swim since the surgery so who knows how this is going to go but I would hate to miss out on part of the experience because of getting injured (soccer injury) and having surgery.

TIA

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

For the dolphin swim you have the choice to swim about 50' out to the deeper water where you would tread water for 2 or 3 minutes waiting for your ride back, or you can stay on the ledge for a shorter ride. I can't comment on the upright (in)stability of the lift jackets because I didn't use one when I just went. But I suspect the trainers will strongly suggest or instruct you to do the short water swim/ride if you show up with a life jacket on. Regardless, be careful when walking out because the ledge can be slippery. I slipped once but I wasn't wearing any aquasocks.
And here's an unsolicited piece of advice. I also had recent knee surgery (torn meniscus clean up with micro fracture surgery thrown in for good measure) a few months before I did my swim. While my knee was mostly pain free from the walking and swimming, I found that the complimentary beer, wine and daiquiries helped manage the pain levels

 

[GCS2000]

I hear ya. With all the walking I know I am in for some pain with my pleasure next week. Oh well I will just have to push my way through it.

Mine is torn cartilage had broken loose and was sticking up inside the joint causing a locked knee (couldn't bend or flex - essentially stuck in one position). They cleaned it out but there was some old damage in there from years of playing sports and they kindly informed me Monday that this will last me a few years but eventually I will need either donor cartilage or a full knee replacement - yippee!

Meanwhile recovery is going well but I have very little flexibility and strength. I still have to ice every night to keep the swelling at bay (work a desk job and its a balloon by the time I get home) and steps are a nightmare. Everyone is making fun of me and telling me how good I will look in my old man scooter. Going to do my best to avoid that (and the $50 per day rental) but I fear by the end of the week I may be toast.

Thanks for the heads about the entry/exit. Last thing I need is slip up and mess this up any more than it already is.

 

[peg110]

While I haven't done the Swim with dolphins (although the wife and I would LOVE to). Don't they have you wearing a wet suit?

I know from being diver (in a former life) that they will provide a significant amount of buoyancy. Of course you will still have to work to keep upright, but you can probably do this mostly with your hands/arms. Again, this is only if you are in a wet suit. Just a thought anyway. Enjoy the trip either way.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

In all seriousness, if your knee is giving you that much trouble then for the love of all that is holy, swallow your pride (and vanity) and get a wheelchair or scooter for the trip. Maybe spice it up by adding some flame stickers on it (the scooter, not your knee) to make it look mean My wife very badly sprained her ankle the day before leaving for a Disney trip and she was wheelchair bound the entire week. We ended up getting some front-of-the-line access for having a disabled person in our group. At first she was a little embarrassed, then decided to swallow her pride (and vanity) and by the end of the week was a little miffed when we had to actually wait our turn in line! LOL

 

[HopperFan]

While I haven't done the Swim with dolphins (although the wife and I would LOVE to). Don't they have you wearing a wet suit?

I know from being diver (in a former life) that they will provide a significant amount of buoyancy. Of course you will still have to work to keep upright, but you can probably do this mostly with your hands/arms. Again, this is only if you are in a wet suit. Just a thought anyway. Enjoy the trip either way.

EVERYONE is required to wear a full or vest wet suit at ALL times when IN the water. You may not enter the water anywhere in the park without one of these on. They have yellow stripes (full) or yellow backs (vest) so lifeguards can spot you anywhere. Staff's are trimmed in blue.

In addition to the wet suits there are life jackets that are the colorful kind in all sizes from kids to adults. My DS is an excellent swimmer but is disabled so tires out easier. After trip one we started putting the life jacket on over his wet suit and he truly has minimal swimming to do. He did the dolphin swim and was wearing the life jacket.

 

[Woodview]

Another Thought for you.

Beware of the Flowing River , the one flowing through the Aviary,

Your Heels ( and then up to your knees ) CAN & Will scrape off the bottom as you try to

stabilise yourself . .as you drift around .... Hard to explain .. but I am sure you can figure it out .


Sometimes it safer to look and enjoy rather than ???? & In Pain

Have a good time anyway.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

Woodview, good point about the river. My solution was to float backwards, that way if my foot was to catch on something it wouldn't suddenly fold my knee up, but would straighten the joint out but not so suddenly to cause any pain.