Can You Swim With A Cast?

Can You Swim With a Cast?

The short answer is yes, it may be possible - provided your healthcare professional approves and you use a properly fitted waterproof cast cover designed for swimming.

A broken arm or leg does not necessarily mean missing every trip to the pool. The right cast cover can create a watertight barrier that helps keep your cast and its inner padding dry.

Why Does a Cast Need to Stay Dry?

Most plaster and fibreglass casts contain padding that is not waterproof. If water gets inside, it can:

• Weaken or damage a plaster cast
• Leave damp, uncomfortable padding against the skin
• Cause irritation, odour or infection
• Affect how well the cast supports the healing bone

Plastic bags and improvised coverings may provide limited protection from splashes, but they are not designed for swimming. Full immersion requires a purpose-made waterproof cast cover that is specifically rated for use in the water.

How Does a Waterproof Cast Cover Work?

A waterproof cast cover completely encloses an arm or leg cast. Its flexible opening seals directly against the skin above the cast, helping prevent water from getting inside.

Using one is simple:

1. Select the correct arm or leg cover for the length and circumference of your cast.
2. Carefully slide it over the cast, protecting the cover from sharp or rough edges.
3. Position the seal on clean, dry and healthy skin above the cast.
4. Make sure the seal lies completely flat, with no wrinkles, clothing, hair or cast material trapped underneath.
5. Check the cover for damage and test the seal before entering the water.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including any limits on immersion time or water depth.

Is It Safe to Swim With a Broken Arm or Leg?

Keeping the cast dry is only one consideration. A fracture can affect your strength, movement and balance, while the cast may feel heavier or more awkward in the water. Ask your healthcare professional whether swimming is suitable for your injury before taking the plunge.

If you receive approval, keep the activity gentle. Avoid diving, vigorous strokes, slippery surfaces and situations where the injured limb could be knocked. Children and less-confident swimmers should always be closely supervised.

If you have a leg cast remember they are not designed for walking in as they could puncture. Also remember to protect the cover from rough pool surfaces that could cause a puncture.

Keep Your Cast Dry and Enjoy the Water

A high-quality waterproof cast cover can make the swimming, bathing and showering experiences much easier during fracture recovery. By forming a secure seal against the skin above the cast, it offers reliable protection without relying on makeshift plastic bags.

Explore the Dricast range of waterproof arm and leg cast covers to find the right size for your needs.  

Dricast cast covers are proudly the ONLY Made in New Zealand by a New Zealand-owned business - so you can protect your cast while supporting local manufacturing.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional and the instructions supplied with your waterproof cast cover.