How To: CastCooler® Leg Demonstration

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) gives a helpful tutorial on how to use CastCooler®.

Steps:

Remove the CastCooler from packaging (And remove your CastCoverz! cast cover).
Remove paper backing from the CastCooler.
Insert the inverter valve and attach it to the hose of your vacuum cleaner.
Wrap the CastCooler around your cast to enjoy INSTANT RELIEF!

What does the CastCooler® do?

The CastCooler keeps your cast fresh and reduces itch by removing moisture from the lining under your cast. Simply wrap the CastCooler around your cast daily, and connect a standard household vacuum. After 10 minutes, moisture is removed. Without moisture, bacteria growth (the cause of odor and itch) is reduced. Your cast stays fresh!

How does CastCooler® work?

CastCooler creates a gentle vacuum on the outside of your cast, bringing fresh air between your skin and the cast. Airflow is directed through the lining of your breathable orthopedic cast removing moisture and cooling your skin. Without touching your skin, bacteria, itch and odor are significantly reduced. Your cast stays fresh.

Do I need a special vacuum?

The CastCooler works with a common household vacuum and hose attachment (not supplied).

Will the CastCooler® work with my cast?

The CastCooler works with all breathable orthopedic cast material (fiberglass, sorry not plaster..but less than 5% of casts are plaster…so you probably have a fiberglass cast) no matter size or limb, one size fits all! Use the CastCooler as often as you like, it cannot be overused. Whenever your cast is moist, hot or stinky…use it.

Why Is It Important to Keep Your Cast Dry?

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In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) discusses how and why it is so important to keep your cast dry, with special guests Paul Hunt (President, Co-Founder of HMP Enterprises, Inc.) and Bruce Maloy (CEO, Co-Founder of HMP Enterprises) representing DryPro®, a division of HMP Enterprises.

Getting a cast soaking wet creates many problems. A wet cast compromises the rigidness and integrity of your cast; which is your healing orthopedic device. If saturated, you will need an orthopedic doctor visit to remove and replace it and check for skin infection. In addition, water-damaged casts are typically not covered by insurance. All doctors recommend to not get the cast wet. Some are skeptical about the efficacy of any waterproof cover, even DryPro, the gold standard in waterproof cast covers. So be sure to check with your doctor.

When shopping for a waterproof cast cover, we strongly recommend DryPro’s vacuum-seal technology, to ensure that no water is able to enter the cast cover while swimming, bathing or enjoying water activities.

Annette de Lancey: An Advocate for Small Business

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Annette de Lancey: An Advocate for Small Business

As many know, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!), is a HUGE advocate for small businesses. What started out as an “Aha!” moment, changed her life, and hundreds of thousands of her customers’ lives, forever. 13+ years later, CastCoverz! fun and functional products for the orthopedic patient has worldwide distribution, can be found on multiple channels (including Amazon and Walmart) and is in notable orthopedic clinics across the country.

Ownership of CastCoverz! and dedication to her new business venture, She Makes Products to support women manufacturers, further shows her intent and passion for small business and small business owners.

She was exposed to small business ownership as a child. Annette’s beloved father was a self-made, ethical, successful business owner.

She honors his memory by passing on what he taught her to others and serves small business owners (SBO’s) as a certified SCORE business mentor.

SCORE is “the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, and is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).”

Their mission (according to their website) is to “foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. Their vision is “Every person has the support necessary to thrive as a small business owner.”

SBA (Small Business Administration) works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover.

How to Do Disneyland With a Broken Arm

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Kids and adults alike look forward to visiting Disneyland, whether it’s to make memories with family or friends, ride the attractions, sample the food, or go shopping. But once in a while, accidents happen and we wind up with a broken arm before a major trip like this.

You might first think you have to cancel the entire trip. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Disneyland goes out of its way to accommodate all types of visitors and situations. The park’s many helpful services, along with common sense and functional products to keep your orthopedic devices (casts, braces, splints and wraps) clean and/or dry can ensure you, your family, and friends enjoy every minute of your trip, even when one of you has a cast.

Armz! (pictured in Going Dotty!) keeps casts clean, prevents snagging and scratching and Slingz! (pictured in Minnie Dots) durable double-faced designer fabric with extended length to prevent wrist drop, a thumb loop to prevent sling creep, and optional comfort straps and pocket (for keys, most cell phones, …) Also available in Legz! and Bootz!

First and foremost, talk to your doctor. While most rides at Disneyland are mild compared to other theme parks, it is always better to have a healthcare professional’s opinion. Once you get the go-ahead, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Check-in with Guest Relations when you get to the park. Disneyland’s Guest Relations can answer many of your questions about which rides you or your loved one can go on, whether you need a wheelchair, and if your injured party member is eligible for a Disability Access Service (DAS) pass. You can also call Guest Services ahead of your trip and explain your situation at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.

Make note of first-aid locations in the park. First-aid stations are noted on printed park maps and also on the Disneyland app. Take special note of these ahead of time in case you need to stop at one during your day in the park. First-aid centers can assist you with any complications that arise from your injury. They can also store any medication you are taking that requires refrigeration.

Take care when entering and exiting rides. Even with a broken arm, you or your family member should be able to go on most rides at Disneyland. Take care when entering and exiting these rides, and make sure to keep the broken arm inside the ride at all times, so it doesn’t get bumped or jostled. Note that some rides, like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are faster and more intense, and may not be suitable for someone with a broken arm. Check with Guest Services or a Cast Member before riding.

Consider renting a wheelchair. Since the body is working to heal itself after a broken bone, you or your loved one will most likely be extra susceptible to fatigue. While that makes standing in a long line for Peter Pan’s Flight, less than ideal, it doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip. Because of COVID-19, Disneyland’s FASTPASS, which cuts down wait times for rides, is still suspended. Consider renting a wheelchair from the park instead.

Beat the heat. Casts are itchy, smelly, and hot, especially when you’re at an outdoor park for extended periods of time. Fortunately, there are accessories you can buy that provide some relief by drying and cooling the moist areas underneath the cast. One product we are HUGE fans of is the CastCooler™. The CastCooler provides amazing itch and odor relief for casts by drying out the bacteria-creating moisture that is a natural by-product from wearing a cast. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a hose. So, back to the hotel room, you’ll go. If you didn’t bring your vacuum cleaner with you 🙂 just ask housekeeping, they are very accommodating.

Explore waterproofing options for your cast. You don’t necessarily have to skip Splash Mountain because your arm is in a cast. While Disneyland, itself doesn’t provide waterproofing options for casts, there are many companies, including CastCoverz!, that make waterproof covers for casts, splints and bandages. Our go-to waterproof product is the DRYPRO* Cast Protector which is completely watertight keeping your casts and bandages dry. The DRYPRO offers the only arm cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep you dry. AquaShieldUSA is our latex-free option.

Remember, the whole point of a trip to Disneyland is to have fun and forget the day-to-day grind. You shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced while you and your family try to do that. CastCoverz! offers a huge range of FUNctional, fashionable solutions, including waterproof covers, cooling accessories, and slings. Explore our range of products to make your trip to Disneyland comfortable, fashionable, and fun.