Answering Your Questions About Survival Swimming Lessons

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.

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.

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.

The 4 to 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.

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.

The only day is parent day. Research shows that it takes an incredible amount of concentration and objectively to teach a baby/child how to respond to an aquatic emergency.

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.

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.

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.

Breath holding skills are taught in the first few lessons. ISR Instructors shape breath control using highly effective techniques along with positive reinforcement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Every child is unique. However, many parents report that once their young children have mastered learning how to swim, the resulting confidence in their abilities creates a positive self-concept that is often demonstrated in other aspects of their personalities. There are also obvious health and other psychological gains.

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.

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.

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.

ISR Self Rescue parents enroll their children in ISR knowing they understand their child's ability 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.

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.  

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. However, as the child’s skills increase in the pool, the fussing will decrease.