How to Keep a Cast Dry in a Swimming Pool or Bath

The bummer about breaking a bone in the summer is that standard casts are usually not waterproof.

Waterproof casts do exist, I’m told. I do not know what circumstances make you eligible for one. When my daughter broke her hand, I asked whether the medical staff could fit her with a cast she could swim in. They looked at me like I was crazy.

We had three vacations scheduled the month following the broken bone that all involved swimming pools and beaches. I wasn’t sure what to do.

I ultimately bought a cast cover for swimming and baths. Here’s how it worked.

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The Waterproof Cast Cover I Bought

After some research, I bought a DryPro Waterproof Cast Cover, because, at the time, it was the only one I could find that specifically allowed swimming.

Until it arrived, I was pulling my hair out using the unreliable multiple plastic bags and rubber band method in the shower.

The Dry Corp waterproof cast cover is basically a giant rubber blue arm that suctions tightly to the skin several inches above the end of the cast.

You put the cast cover on the arm (it takes a bit of effort). Next, you suction the air out using a little balloon attached to a small white valve on the cast cover.

This waterproof cast cover is tight so you are not supposed to wear it for more than 45 minutes at a time.

I would even say wearing it for less time is better. My daughter never complained about this waterproof cast protector, probably because she knew there was no swimming without it.

Does This Cast Cover for Swimming and Baths Work?

Dry Corp’s showcases children wearing the cast cover on the beach. I did not allow my daughter on the beach with it. There are too many ways that sand can creep into the cast cover and, therefore, down into her cast. 

The only solution I could think of was to put it on before we got to the beach and leave it on until we returned to our hotel room and she bathed completely.

All-in, that left about 10 minutes or so for us to actually enjoy the beach. In our case, this wasn’t worth it.

If my daughter played with swimming pool toys like kickboards or inner tubes, the top of the waterproof cast cover rolled down and let a little water seep in. On occasion, I also found water seeping in through the valve where you suction the air out.

There was never enough water inside to damage the cast, but it was moist and is something to pay attention to should you submerge the cast protector underwater.

In our experience, the cast cover wasn’t totally 100% waterproof, but it was enough to get by and not let a broken bone ruin vacation plans.

If your child can be careful while swimming with a cast, this may be a solution for you. It definitely helped us bathe and I’m just not sure what I would have done without it.

For us, it was worth the money.

They also make waterproof cast covers in adult sizes. And if you live in San Diego, read my post about breaking a bone after hours.