The apartment pool is open ...nervousness ensues.

My family has been anxiously waiting for the pool in our apartment complex to open so we can go swimming. I can't swim, so I just sit in the water and stay cool. However, every time I think about it, I start to get scared. Why? I have a recurring shoulder dislocation problem. If I move my right arm wrong, my shoulder slips out of socket. I've had surgery once to correct it, so I can't reduce it myself, and I have to go the emergency room to have them do it. The experience is not pleasant.

Last summer, not long after my birthday (another reason I'm worried, my birthday is Monday, maybe I should avoid the pool afterward!) I was in the water, went underwater, and my shoulder dislocated. I basically clawed my way up my girlfriend's leg to get out from under the water, and she had to push me up the ladder to get me out of the pool. So I'm nervous. Not scared, yet. That'll happen when I get to the pool. Rationally, I know if I keep my arm above water I'll be fine, but I still get worried that I'll move wrong and it'll dislocate again.

There is nothing wrong with staying the the shallow end, or keeping your arms safely above water. You have a medical issue that could definitely become a problem in the water. Your fear is not irrational. Don't go swimming alone, and just stay above water. Maybe sometime in the future you can go to some lessons where they teach you alternate ways to swim safely without needing your arms in case of an emergency.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

There is nothing wrong with staying the the shallow end, or keeping your arms safely above water. You have a medical issue that could definitely become a problem in the water. Your fear is not irrational. Don't go swimming alone, and just stay above water. Maybe sometime in the future you can go to some lessons where they teach you alternate ways to swim safely without needing your arms in case of an emergency.

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Yeah, I won't go to the pool without my girlfriend present. I was able to, after about 20 minutes, stand in the shallow end. Was in the pool for about 15 minutes and I was done for awhile. That's definitely a good idea about the lessons! I will look into that. Or, if I can manage to find a (competent) hospital that will work with me on the bill, just have the surgery I need done and swim happily ever after.

I have also had shoulder issues but for me worse is knee issues it does what you describe you shoulder does just pops out sometimes. I swim a lot, I am a very good swimmer so it is a bit hard for me to imagine your additional fears. When I was trying to get my knee back to ok, (it will never be good but bad to ok is a big step) I used a good life jacket, well fitted and buoyant enough to hold my weight. The advantage is that you can float and bob along and gently exercise your limbs with out strain. If you tire or start to hurt just stop, the jacket will hold you in place. I can't speak to your not swimming but it sounds like you have over come the fear of water in general but are afraid of hurting yourself in the water more than the water alone. If you feel confident in the jacket and can allow yourself to relax you should have no problems your girlfriend can push you to the shallow end if you get to far away. Go at odd hours to avoid others, it makes it less stressful. Swimming helped my rehab a lot I could not walk well on it so it allowed me to get strength back without risk of further damage.

A good life jacket! It needs to fit perfectly, so that will simply not allow it to ride up. If you are not self conscious a keyhole style rated to 30% over you weight will work super well it just is silly looking the jacket style that look better often ride up more, and are harder to fit but they do work as well. 30% over your weight you want to float well I had a hard time with that as I am 6'4" and 230 lbs but they are out there.

Good luck!

Stay safe, better safe than sorry.