Judging from the informed replies, looks as if I'll have to get out the water wings and just swim in my bathtub for the duration.

Have been swimming since age 4 - that would be 71 years. Had beaten my parents to the pool in a lovely state park and jumped into the deep end. Not being able to swim, went down to the bottom. Later, my mother (who couldn't swim) told me that daddy (excellent swimmer) saw what had happened, took a running dive and pulled me up. My serious swimming lessons started that day.

Not being able to swim has been something of a loss - it was my favorite exercise.

Thanks very much, everybody!

Sheltiemom