Question 1

HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN THE ISR AND AMERICAN RED CROSS SWIM PROGRAMS?

Accepted Answer

If your child is under 48 mos, Christen offers the ISR program due to all the skills your child can learn in order to be safer around the water.
 
If your child is 4-7, the ISR method is also a phenomenal program for your child if he/she is used to wearing a flotation device, doesn't want to put his/her face in the water, is nervous around the water, or is very strong willed.  If you can commit the time and want to KNOW that your child will be swimming at the end, this is the way to go.
 
If your child is 4 and older and is comfortable in the water, will put his/her face in, hasn't become reliant on floaties, then ARC lessons could be a good fit for your child. 
 
Christen has taught  tons of children with great success, but which direction to go depends on your child and their prior history.  Ask us questions and we can figure out what might be best for your child.

Question 2

HOW IS ISR DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL SWIM LESSONS?

Accepted Answer

ISR is the product of over 50+ years of research. The primary focus in ISR is to make sure each student can SURVIVE in the water. We give them real life situations, like using their skills in full clothing, to make sure they are prepared for a real life water scenarios. The goal is to always do what is safest for each child and what is best for their survival.

Question 3

WHY ARE LESSONS 10 MINUTES?

Accepted Answer

Our number one reason is always safety. Lessons are mentally and physically demanding for little ones. For their little bodies this can be quite the workout, so we make sure to limit that time. 
 
The second reason is for retention of skills. It is shown that children in this age range attain skills best within the first 10 minutes. Attention spans for little ones can be quite short as many know already.

Question 4

WHY ARE LESSONS 5 DAYS A WEEK?

Accepted Answer

ISR Self-Rescue® Skills are developed just like any other sensorimotor skill. When learning to walk, crawl, or even ride a bike it’s the practice and repetition that makes for success.
 
Practicing ISR Self-Rescue® Skills on a consistent basis allows for muscle memory to form. Muscle memory is what allows your child to Self-Rescue as soon as they hit the water.

Question 5

ARE THESE GROUP LESSONS?

Accepted Answer

Every lesson with ISR is one-on-one and individualized for each student. This means we never have more than one student in the water at a time and keep a 1:1 student to Instructor ratio.

Question 6

DO PARENTS GET IN THE WATER?

Accepted Answer

Parents do not get in the pool for lessons, however, we encourage parents to sit poolside to support their little ones.
 
Parents are invited into the pool during the last week of lessons (this will be discussed with your Instructor beforehand). During this time we teach you how to maintain your child’s new skills while in the water and how to properly promote their ISR Self-Rescue® Skills.

Question 7

DO YOU TEACH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our mission of ‘Not One More Child Drowns” means we believe ISR lessons are for EVERY child.
 
Our ISR team of medical professionals evaluates every student’s medical history and communicates with Instructors on the precautions needed to make each lesson as safe as possible. Since all lessons are one-on-one we are able to tailor lessons to each and every child.

Question 8

WHY DOES ISR NEED MY CHILD'S MEDICAL INFORMATION?

Accepted Answer

The medical registration allows the ISR medical team to review each student before they start lessons. Our Registration Evaluation Team (RET) must approve each student prior to the start date. This allows ISR to work together with their Instructors to provide the safest lesson for each student.
 
Infant Swimming Resource, LLC ("ISR") complies with all federal and state laws and regulations and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion or disability. It is the policy of ISR to provide reasonable accommodations to its disabled applicants and students, with the provision of appropriate documentation of the need for the accommodation.
 
ISR’s mission of “Not One More Child Drowns” pertains to EVERY child. It’s our job to not only provide EVERY child with ISR Self-Rescue® skills, but to provide those skills safely and adequately for each child.

Question 9

WILL MY CHILD NEED TO COME BACK AFTER THE INITIAL SESSION?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ISR recommends refreshers every 6 months due to rapid growth which can change their skills. We also offer Maintenance lessons for those who want to keep their child in the water regularly.

Question 10

WILL MY CHILD FORGET THESE SKILLS?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to remember that ISR Self-Rescue® Skills are a sensorimotor skill, just like crawling, walking, or riding a bike. The less you use these skills the rustier they get, but that doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten them. This is why Refresher and Maintenance lessons are important and encouraged, as they help keep their skills in shape and active.
 
ISR has shown a retention rate of 94-100% up to one year following lessons.

Question 11

WILL MY CHILD CRY DURING LESSONS?

Accepted Answer

For most children crying is developmentally appropriate and their only way of communicating. Typically once your child gains the confidence in their new skills the crying diminishes. Instructors are used to this behavior and it does not interfer with lessons.
 
The cry we hear oftentimes in the water is a simple protest and their way of saying they aren’t happy to be here. Remember this is their way of communicating with us since most children are not yet verbal.
 
It gets easier after the first couple of weeks. Remember everyday at lessons is another day of building in-water confidence and another day closer to your child being fully skilled. We got this!

Question 12

IS ISR SAFE FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN?

Accepted Answer

Yes! ISR is dedicated to safety. There are numerous safety protocols in place to promote safe lessons. Your child’s health and well-being are closely monitored on a daily basis. 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 Instructors undergo an intensive and rigorous training program. Each ISR Instructor is also required to attend yearly conferences, and undergo an extensive re-certification process. Your education in the area of aquatic safety for your entire family is an integral part of your child’s lessons, as well.
 
Consider these additional points:
- No child is ever thrown into the pool.
- A child is never submerged for more than seven (7) seconds.
- ISR Instructors monitor your child for temperature and muscular fatigue, as well as physical and psychological well-being.
 
Your child’s daily routines outside of ISR lessons hold valuable data for your instructor. You will receive instruction on how to communicate this information to your instructor.

Question 13

WHAT QUALIFIES A CERTIFIED INFANT SWIMMING RESOURCE INSTRUCTOR?

Accepted Answer

Each instructor has gone through multiple interviews with the ISR team before being accepted into training. Each ISR Instructor has spent a minimum of 6-8 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.
 
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 Re-certification Conference each year for continuing education about every facet of ISR, as well as quality control and quality assurance.
 
There are many instructors who say they teach ISR techniques, however, unless they are listed on the ISR Instructor locator on the official ISR website and meet the criteria below, they are NOT Certified ISR Instructors.
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All Certified ISR Instructors:
Have an email address ending in @infantswim.com
Can provide parents with a copy of their current ISR Certificate for review
Offer lessons five consecutive days per week, for a maximum of 10 minutes each day
Will require your child to be registered through ISR’s Online Registration Process and approved to begin lessons by our Registration Evaluation Team (approval email will come from an email address ending in @infantswim.com)
Complete the Daily BUDS Discussion form with you prior to each lesson
Can be found on the instructor locator on

Frequently asked questions