Frequently Asked Questions

What makes ISR different from traditional swim lessons? Time. "The sooner the safer" is one big idea behind ISR. The 6-8 week structure of ISR gets kids skilled in a matter of weeks, leaving them less vulnerable to the inherent risks of aquatic activities.  In addition, ISR lessons are one-on-one, allowing the instructor to cater each lesson to the individual child's needs.

What are your qualifications? Each certified ISR instructor completes a rigorous 8-week In-water and academic training course and participates in highly specialized annual re-certification to maintain the highest level of safety and caliber of instruction. I personally also have a background as a lifeguard, swim coach, and Water Safety Instructor.

Why are lessons only 10 minutes 4 days a week? Repetition and consistency are crucial elements of learning for young children. Research shows that short, more frequent lessons result in higher retention. Second, most children have fairly short attention spans and will not be able to focus on the task for longer periods of time and we want to take advantage of the best time for learning. A third reason is that though the pool temperature is maintained at 78-88 degrees, that temperature is still much lower than your child's body temperature. Lessons are work and your child will be losing body heat. Instructors check students for temperature fatigue regularly throughout lessons since this is an early indicator of physical fatigue.

Do you offer weekend lessons? No. Lessons are Monday-Thursday. If I have to cancel lessons for any reason, make-ups may be offered on a Friday.

We have a vacation planned during your session. Can we still sign up? It will be best to wait for a future session where your child's lessons will not be interrupted. Without the minimum 6-week commitment, your child is less likely to acquire the skills necessary to Self-Rescue™.

Will my child need additional lessons? Yes, depending on their age, skill level, and time between seasons. Refresher lessons are important because children change so much both cognitively and physically during the first 4-5 years of life. It is important that their aquatic survival skills grow with their bodies. The goal of refresher lessons is to help your child adjust his/her new body size and weight to his/her existing skill level. Your instructor will work with your child to fine-tune their aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which can result in self-confidence. This is especially important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.

Why does It take 6-8 weeks? The 6-8 weeks is an estimate that is based on the average time in which it takes most children to learn these survival skills. Every child is unique and ISR's Self-Rescue™ program is specifically designed based on your child's strengths and needs. It is important to realize that this is an average which means that some children will finish more quickly while others will need more practice. ISR Is dedicated to safety and, therefore, we want to provide your child with the time and best opportunity to become proficient in his/her survival skills. We will always honor your child's needs.

How can you teach babies and young children to swim? ISR Instructors teach infants to swim by honoring each child's individual strengths and experiences. They understand the fundamentals of the behavioral sciences, child development, and sensorimotor learning as it relates to the acquisition of aquatic survival skills; they use this education to guide each child through the sequence of learning to swim and float.

Will my child cry during lessons? Maybe. Children often fuss during the first few lessons for many reasons; they are in a new environment, they are with someone new, the temperature of the water is significantly cooler than their body temperature, and they are being tasked with something challenging. As your child becomes more confident in his/her abilities, the fussing will likely decrease or disappear all together.

Can't babies float naturally? Unfortunately, no, babies do not naturally float. If this were the case, there would not be so many drownings each year. According to the CDC and Accident Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 In the United States.