Frequently Asked Questions.
Will my child learn to swim?
At ISR Self-Rescue, we believe that part of survival for a child who can walk is swimming. Children learn the swim-float-swim sequence so that they could get themselves to safety. The difference in our program is that they will learn swimming AND survival skills and how to be an aquatic problem solver.
Why are lessons 5 days per week and for only 10 minutes?
The reason for this is multifaceted. First, 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 short attention spans and will not be able to focus on the task for longer 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 to 88 degrees, the pool temperature is still lower than your child's body temperature. Lessons are work and therefore the child will be losing body heat. Instructors check students regularly for temperature fatigue since this is an indicator of physical fatigue.
These are NOT traditional swim lessons! We are teaching highly specialized skills and it is very important to attend class every day. If you cannot commit to this schedule, you may not register until you are sure you can.
Why does it take an average of 6 weeks for my child to learn this?
The 6 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 individual strengths and needs.
Generally, infants under 12 months learning to rollback and float need about 4 to 5 weeks, whereas children 12 to 24 months need about 6 weeks to master the swim-float-swim sequence. Children ages 2 1/2 to 6 generally need about 4 to 5 weeks to master the swim-float-swim sequence.
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 Self-Rescue 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.
Why do you have children swim in clothes?
Most children who fall into the water do so fully clothed. We want our students to have an experience with clothes on so they have knowledge of the feeling of being in the water with clothes. If a child has experienced the sensations of being in the water in clothing prior to an emergency, he/she is less likely to experience panic and be able to focus on the task at hand. If you have ever jumped in the water with clothes on, then you know that there is a significant difference in weight and feel with clothes as opposed to a bathing suit.
Do you have children that just can’t learn the skills?
Every child can learn. My job is to find the best way to communicate the information so that it makes sense to the child. I set up your child to be successful every time, always building skills.
Do parents get into the water during the lessons?
Closer to week 3, there will be a designated day where a parent can be in the water so that they understand the technique and are able to apply it when they are at in the water with the child outside of lessons. Research shows that it takes an incredible amount of concentration and objectively to teach a baby/child how to respond to an aquatic emergency.
Who can bring my child to class?
Anyone over the age of 18 that is in care of your child and who can answer the BUDS questions. It takes a village to raise a child. Reach out to grandparents, aunts, uncles and caregivers to help you get your child to lessons.
How are ISR Instructors trained?
Each ISR Instructor has spent a minimum of 6 weeks in the water working beside a master Instructor and/or senior master Instructor, gradually taking more and more responsibility for each child’s lesson. On top of the 6 weeks in the water ISR instructors spend 2 weeks in academics before they even reach the water. Each Instructor is also required to maintain certifications in First Aid and CPR for Healthcare Providers. In addition, each Instructor is required to attend the ISR National Recertification Conference each year for continuing education.
What other benefits does the ISR lesson experience provide the child?
Every child is different. However, many parents report that once their young children have mastered learning how to swim, the resulting confidence in their abilities builds a positive self-confidence that is often demonstrated in other aspects of their personalities, growth, and development.
How do children know to hold their breath?
Breath holding skills are taught in the first few lessons. ISR Instructors shape breath control using highly effective techniques along with positive reinforcement.
What about the use of flotation devices and life jackets?
Floatation devices provide a false sense of security and hold your child in postures that are not compatible with swimming skills. If a child learns that they can jump in the water with a flotation device on and go into a vertical posture and able to breathe, they are receiving the wrong idea about the environment. Coast Guard approved flotation devices are used for swimmers who can not swim and for safety purposes; boating or around a body of water when there is potential for an accidental submersion.
How do babies learn to respond to aquatic emergencies?
If a baby has learned to roll over and float when they need air, they don’t need to perceive danger or an emergency in order to respond in this manner. They need the skills, practice and confidence to calmly deal with the situation which we emphasize in ISR.
What further lessons will my child need?
ISR recommends that you bring your child back for refresher lessons. Frequency depends on the child’s age, growth rate, skill level, and confidence level. The goal of refreshers is to help your child adjust their new body size and weight to their existing skill level. Your Instructor will work with your child to help fine-tune their aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which will result in self-confidence. This is especially important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.
While NO program can “drown-proof” your child, ISR lessons typically have a 94% retention rate of up to one year later. Refresher lessons are important because children change rapidly both cognitively and physically during the first 4 to 5 years of life. It is important that their aquatic skills and abilities grow with their bodies.
Why should parents enroll their children in ISR lessons?
ISR Self-Rescue parents enroll their children because they understand their children's abilities and want to give them every opportunity to learn. They also feel it is important to teach their children how to help themselves should they find themselves alone in the water. Research shows that there are better times to learn certain things, and swimming is best learned early in life.
Are ISR Self-Rescue swimming lessons safe for infants and young children?
Yes! ISR is dedicated to safety and maintaining numerous safety protocols to promote safe lessons. Your child’s health and well-being are our highest priority and are closely monitored daily. In addition, your child’s medical and developmental history is a mandatory part of the ISR national registration process, all of which is held strictly confidential.
All ISR Self-Rescue Instructors undergo an intensive and rigorous training that far exceeds any other training program of this kind. Each ISR Instructor is also required to attend a yearly recertification that includes quality control as well as continuing education. Your education in the area of aquatic safety for your entire family is an integral part of your child's lessons.
You will receive access to the Parent Resource Guide written by Dr. Harvey Barnett and JoAnn Barnett, which will inform you of every aspect of swimming for infants and children. With research, you will find that ISR is the safest survival swimming program but also the most effective for teaching infants and young children.
What is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ position on swimming lessons for young children?
In May 2010, the AAP changed its policy regarding the age at which children may start swimming lessons, based on research stating that swim lessons may actually provide reduction in drowning risk of children ages 1 to 4 years old.
The study, “Association Between Swimming Lessons and Childhood Drowning” published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in March 2009 by Brenner et. al., was the first study to probe the relationship between drowning reduction and swimming skills. The study concluded that, “participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in the 1- to 4-year-old children...”
The AAP encourages parents to consider that starting water-survival skills training at an early age must be individualized, based on the child’s frequency of exposure to water, emotional maturity, physical limitations, and health concerns related to swimming pools.
How do you teach a baby to swim?
ISR Instructors teach infants to swim by honoring each child’s individual strengths and experiences. They understand the fundamentals of behavioral sciences, child development, and sensory-motor learning as it relates to the acquisition of aquatic survival skills and use this education to guide each child through the sequence of learning to swim and float through nonverbal communication.
What if my child misses a class?
If your child misses a class there are protocols that your instructor needs to follow to make sure that lessons are delivered in a safe manner. Please communicate with your instructor so protocols are followed. If you are planning on taking a vacation or extend time away from lessons please communicate with your instructor.
What if my child cries? Will he develop a "fear" of the water?
Babies don’t yet have the verbal skills to express themselves, and crying is a completely normal reaction for a young child who is in a new and challenging situation. Some children cry the first few lessons due to anxiety. They are in a new pool they have never been to and being handed into the water to a stranger - it's normal for them to be wary of the situation! It's important for us to teach your child to trust his/her instructor and eventually to trust the water. Many kids can't wait to come to lessons by the end of the first week!
Remember, fear is a learned behavior. We didn't come out of the womb afraid of spiders or water or large dogs. When someone has a negative experience that involves the fearful object or experience, fear is developed. Your child will only truly be fearful of the water if he or she has witnessed or experienced a traumatic aquatic event.
My child loves/hates/is fearful of/has no experience in the water. Will he still be able to learn the skills?
Absolutely! We teach children to have a healthy respect for the water, and we work in very small increments each day. We present children with small achievable tasks and always set them up to succeed. They learn to trust their skills, and in turn, they gain an incredible amount of confidence in the water.
I don't want my child to cry under any circumstances. Ever.
ISR might not be the right fit for your family. Parents who have lost a child to drowning will tell you they'd give everything to hear their child cry again. Accidents happen to everyone. If it makes you uncomfortable to hear your child cry, think about what it would feel like to never have the opportunity to hear him at all. And more importantly, remember some of the reasons children cry...
Why are ISR lessons so much more expensive than regular swim programs?
Great question! ISR has been researched and developed for nearly 50 years. It’s nationally recognized as the safest swim program for infants and children. Your children will learn life saving skills that traditional lessons do not provide. If you are looking for a swim class that focuses on socialization and play rather than safety and survival, you might consider traditional swim lessons.
1. ISR teaches your children to SWIM and FLOAT (based on age) with their face in the water. Many parents come to me after spending hundreds of dollars on traditional “swim” programs frustrated because their child doesn’t have any discernible skills after weeks, months, or even years of lessons.
2. You do not need to enroll your children into swim lessons summer after summer, year after year. Once they learn these skills, they have them forever. With refreshers every 6-8 months, they will retain their skills indefinitely. You end up spending more money over time on traditional lessons that are taught by former high school swimmers or college students trying to make some spending money over the summer. Speaking of teaching credentials…
3. Every ISR instructor undergoes 8 weeks of intense training. Hands on, in the pool with an ISR Master Instructor and students, learning the ISR method. For 8 weeks, we are in the pool 5x per week for several hours a day, for a minimum of 60 hours with ACTUAL students. In addition, we receive extensive hours of academic training in anatomy, physiology, child psychology, behavior and development, sensorimotor learning, and how each relates to the aquatic environment. Every instructor also maintains CPR and First Aid certifications, as well as annual recertification and testing to maintain our ISR certification and skills.
Lastly, if you add up what you’d spend in a traditional swim program for a few weeks during the summer – where he leaves the class with little to no skills – and then multiply that by every summer until he is 6 years old, this program costs significantly less and the value is infinitely greater.