Meet Your Instructor
Lynnette Bellin, MBA – Certified ISR Instructor
Hi, I’m Lynnette Bellin, the owner and Certified ISR Instructor at ISR Reno-Tahoe. My journey in the world of swim instruction started at age 14, when I began working as a swim instructor. By the time I reached college, I was coaching a summer league swim team, helping kids develop their skills and enjoy the sport. After college, I transitioned into a 25+ year career in corporate marketing, but I eventually realized that career lacked the fulfillment and sense of purpose I craved.
In 2024, I made the life-changing decision to reconnect with my passion for swimming and give my career a true sense of purpose—preventing childhood drownings. It became clear to me that teaching children life-saving survival swim skills through ISR Self-Rescue® was my true calling.
I have two teenage children—a sophomore football player and a former dancer who is now studying nursing in college. As a mom, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles many families face with local swim programs. My children spent years in group swim lessons that barely moved the needle—it was frustrating to see them languish in ineffective lessons that took months, even years, to show real progress. This experience inspired me to seek out a better way to teach kids, one that would actually equip them with the skills they need to survive in water, quickly and effectively.
I was trained by Senior Master Instructor Kathy Cole of ISR Fort Myers and Master Instructor Dana Nagle of Just Keep Swimming in Bismarck North Dakota. They came to Reno for 6 weeks to train myself and Liz Freeman of ISR Reno. Learning from such incredible women was a true priviledge, and I’m thankful to be building an ISR swim community in the Reno area with Liz.
Why Choose Me as Your ISR Instructor?
✔ Certified ISR Instructor – I’ve completed over 200 hours of Infant Swimming Resource and continue to pursue ongoing education to ensure your child receives the best possible survival swim lessons. I am Pediatric CPR/First Aid certified and licensed by the State of Nevada and insured.
✔ Passionate About Water Safety – As a local parent and former lifeguard, I understand the importance of preparing children for the unexpected, especially in an area with so many natural water hazards like Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River.
✔ Tailored, One-on-One Instruction – I offer personalized, child-specific lessons that help each child learn at their own pace, with faster results than traditional swim programs.
✔ Local and Committed – As a member of the Reno-Tahoe community, I’m dedicated to providing infant, toddler and child swim instruction that truly makes a difference for local families.
Swimming is a huge part of my life, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience some incredible open water swims. Lake Tahoe is my favorite place to swim, but I’ve also completed the Donner Lake Swim and the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim. One of my most memorable swimming experiences was swimming with wild dolphins in Bimini, Bahamas—looking a wild dolphin in the eye truly touched my soul.
With ISR Self-Rescue®, I’m not just teaching kids to swim; I’m teaching them to survive. It’s about giving children the skills they need to roll onto their back, float, breathe, and wait for help or reach safety, should the unexpected happen. It’s also about laying the foundation for a lifetime of aquatic activities and adventures.
Let’s work together to give your child the gift of safety in and around the water! Check out testimonials from my swim families below!
History and Training
The Science Behind ISR: 55+ Years of Proven Water Safety
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) isn’t just another swim program—it’s the world’s leading provider of infant and child survival swimming lessons. Backed by over 50 years of research and more than 600,000 success stories, ISR Self-Rescue® training has been designed to give children the skills they need to survive an accidental water encounter.
A Program Built on Safety & Science
ISR was founded in 1966 by Dr. Harvey Barnett, who saw firsthand the devastating impact of childhood drownings. Determined to make a difference, he developed the ISR Self-Rescue® method—an approach that teaches infants as young as six months old how to float, breathe, and stay safe in the water.
Unlike traditional swim lessons that focus on water familiarity, ISR lessons are based on:
Scientific principles of sensorimotor learning to help infants and young children develop real self-rescue skills
A highly individualized approach where each child progresses at their own pace
Proven survival techniques that allow children to roll onto their back, float, and breathe until help arrives
Learn more about Infant Swimming Resource here.
Certified, Hands-On, and Focused on Safety
ISR instructors undergo extensive training to ensure the highest level of safety and effectiveness. ISR’s rigorous certification process includes:
Over 90 hours of hands-on in-water training
90 hours of education in child behavior, physiology, and sensory-motor learning
CPR and First Aid certification
Ongoing evaluations and continued education to maintain ISR standards
The Importance of Proper Training
While being a former competitive swimmer may help with personal skills, it does not prepare someone for the unique challenges of teaching young children life-saving survival skills. It is essential to validate an instructor’s training to ensure the lessons are both effective and safe. Many people claim to offer Self-Rescue skills, but if they don’t have specialized training for Self-Rescue, you never know what you’re getting. You’ll also see instructors mentioning that they are licensed and insured. Remember that getting a business license and insurance are very different than getting a skills certification.
As a certified ISR instructor, I have undergone specialized training to provide the safest, most effective survival swim lessons in the region. Through ISR, I’m able to teach children life-saving techniques, making sure every child learns the skills they need to survive and thrive in the water.
Why ISR Matters in Northern Nevada
With alpine lakes like Lake Tahoe, fast-moving rivers like the Truckee, and countless backyard pools, children in our region are constantly exposed to water. ISR lessons provide an essential additional layer of drowning prevention, equipping children with the skills they need to survive an accidental fall into the water.
ISR Reno-Tahoe is proud to bring this life-saving program to local families, offering Reno swim lessons, Incline Village swim lessons, and infant and toddler swim programs that make a real difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About ISR Self-Rescue® Lessons
At ISR Reno-Tahoe, we understand that water safety is a top priority for families. We’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand ISR Self-Rescue® lessons and how they can benefit your child.
Do you throw babies in the pool?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! There are other swim programs that have gone viral on social media by throwing babies and children in a pool as a way to test their skills. ISR takes pride in offering the safest lessons in the survival swim industry, and we are always gentle. Once a child has mastered their Self Rescue skills, we start to have them practice for an accidental submersion through a variety of gentle simulations we call Check Out Skills. Once they are confident in their Check Out Skills, we then do clothing lessons, where they do the Check Out Skills in their clothes. I am always close by and monitoring them as they do each simulation to ensure they have a safe learning experience. We like to say, “It’s not a test, it’s an experience!”
Are ISR Lessons Traumatic?
You may see people on the internet talking about ISR lessons being traumatic. Do many children cry in their first days of lesson? Absolutely. Do some cry all 6 weeks? Yes.
Here’s the thing. ISR private lessons are with someone unfamiliar that first week, and we are asking your child to do hard work outside of their comfort zone. Young children communicate with us by crying.
Lessons are customized to each child and are always gentle. I strive to make a connection quickly with every student. There are some that cry all 6 weeks, but they also learn their skills and can do those skills while crying, which is critical in an accidental submersion.
I had one student who finally stopped crying on the last day of lessons, and then kept asking his parents to go to swim the following week.
When your child cries when you put them in a car seat, you still put them in the car seat for safety. ISR lessons are the same idea.
The lessons aren't traumatic. Losing a child to drowning is the real trauma, and I'm dedicated to giving children skills so that parents don't experience that trauma.
How is ISR different from traditional swim lessons?
Traditional swim lessons focus on teaching children to swim, often in a group setting with slower progress. For infants, Parent and Tot lessons teach water acclimation. ISR Self-Rescue® lessons, on the other hand, are one-on-one, customized to each child’s needs, and are specifically designed to teach water survival skills as quickly and efficiently as possible. Children in ISR lessons are taught to self-rescue in 6-7 weeks, which is much faster than traditional group lessons, which can take months or even years to show similar results. We believe it is imperative to teach children how to Self-Rescue BEFORE teaching them that the water is fun.
Is my child ready for ISR lessons?
ISR lessons are available for children as young as 6 months old (as long as they can sit independently for one minute), and we work with children up to 6 years old. While each child is different, ISR Self-Rescue® lessons are designed to be developmentally-appropriate, ensuring that even the youngest children can learn vital water survival skills.
Do Parents Get In the Water?
Unlike Parent and Me classes for infants and toddlers, parents do not get in the water for ISR lessons. We ask you to take on the role of cheerleader while your child swims and you’re always welcome to sit on the deck and watch. In the last week of lessons, parent lessons are offered, where you will be invited into the water with your child and instructor to learn how you can help reinforce the skills your child learned. Children are sensorimotor learners, meaning they learn through physical experiences, and it is important that you know how to reinforce their skills and not accidentally reinforce vertical body posture.
Can they still use their puddle jumper or life vest?
When you commit to ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) lessons, you're not only investing in your child learning real, life-saving aquatic skills — you're also committing to a philosophy that prioritizes true water competence over the false security of flotation devices.
Flotation devices like puddle jumpers, arm floaties/water wings, and swim vests (used in pools) can actually put your child at greater risk of drowning. Here’s why:
🚫 They teach the wrong posture in the water.
Floaties keep a child vertical in the water — the exact position that is most dangerous during an aquatic emergency. Vertical positioning requires the most effort to breathe and can quickly exhaust a child in distress.
🚫 They create false confidence.
Young children don’t understand that it’s the floatie keeping them above water. They may believe they’re “swimming” — which can lead them to jump back into the pool unsupervised, expecting the same result.
🚫 They give parents a false sense of security.
When a child is wearing a floatation device, it’s easy for adults to relax their vigilance — but flotation is not a substitute for supervision. Many tragic incidents happen when adults assume floaties will keep a child safe.
🚫 They create bad habits.
Floaties can cause children to develop a fear of putting their faces in the water, improper body positioning, and ineffective kicking — all of which must be unlearned when beginning ISR or traditional swim instruction.
The Bottom Line:
To support your child’s success in ISR, we ask that families commit to not using flotation devices in pools. We ask that you get in the pool with your child and use the knowledge you gained in your parent lessons to reinforce their Self-Rescue skills and to trust their own body.
The only time flotation devices should be used is in open water or when boating, and only with a US Coast Guard Certified life vest.
It’s never too late to ditch the floaties and give your child real skills and confidence in the water — skills that can truly save a life.
What is ISR Self-Rescue®?
ISR Self-Rescue® is a highly specialized program designed to teach children, from infants to toddlers, essential survival skills that could one day save their lives. Unlike traditional swim lessons, ISR focuses on independent self-rescue techniques, teaching kids to roll onto their back, float, and breathe—skills that are proven to be lifesaving in emergency situations.
Why is ISR Self-Rescue® important?
In the United States, drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for children four and under. ISR Self-Rescue® lessons are an additional layer of drowning prevention, teaching kids life-saving survival skills that traditional lessons often don’t. In our area, with natural water hazards like Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River, these skills are crucial for families to have peace of mind.
How long will it take for my child to learn self-rescue skills?
ISR lessons typically take 6-7 weeks, with daily lessons Monday thru Friday lasting about 10 minutes. The program is designed for rapid skill acquisition, and most children master their survival techniques within this timeframe. This is significantly faster than traditional swim lessons, which can take months or even years for children to reach the same level of water safety.
What should my child wear to lessons?
Children should wear comfortable swimwear and two layers of cloth swim diaper (I highly encourage my swim families to purchase the Splash About Happy Nappy) if they are not yet potty-trained or have been potty trained for less than 6 months.
What is the lesson schedule?
ISR lessons are one-on-one, personalized lessons that are scheduled daily Monday through Friday. Each lesson is 10 minutes long, and the entire program typically lasts for 6-7 weeks. This daily, focused approach ensures rapid progress in your child’s survival swim skills.
Are ISR lessons traumatic?
A common myth about ISR is that our lessons are traumatic for children, but this is not the case. Crying is simply a form of communication for young children, and unlike traditional lessons, which often focus on play and fun, ISR lessons are about teaching independent survival skills. It’s important to understand that ISR is hard work for kids—it takes effort and focus to learn the life-saving skills we teach. While crying may happen, it’s not a sign of trauma; it’s a normal part of learning new skills. Most children stop crying once they become more skilled in the water and understand what the instructor is asking of them.
Additionally, we do not throw babies into the pool as you may have seen videos on social media. Instead, we gently simulate accidental submersions only once a child is confident and prepared with the necessary skills. Our approach ensures that each child builds a strong foundation of water safety in a gradual, controlled environment.
How do I get started with ISR lessons?
Getting started is easy! Simply visit our Scheduling page, read and understand the policies, and then click on Reserve Your Spot. If you have additional questions or need more information, feel free to contact me directly.
If you have a question that’s not listed here, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. I’m happy to provide more information and help you get started on your child’s water safety journey!
Why Choose ISR Self-Rescue®?
The Gold Standard in Drowning Prevention
When it comes to water safety, there’s no room for compromise. That’s why we offer ISR Self-Rescue® lessons—a proven, scientifically
backed program that equips children with the life-saving skills they need to protect themselves in an emergency. Here's why ISR is the best choice
for your child's water safety education.
ISR Self-Rescue® is the Only Program Focused Solely on Survival
Traditional swim lessons are often designed for enjoyment and general swimming skills, but they don’t prepare children for the critical moment when they need to save themselves. ISR lessons teach children survival skills that are specifically designed for emergencies, helping them learn how to float, roll onto their backs, and breathe. We focus on skills that will help them in real-life situations—skills that could save their life
A Faster, More Effective Approach
Unlike traditional lessons, which often involve months or even years of group instruction with little measurable progress, ISR Self-Rescue® teaches children to master essential survival skills in as little as 6-7 weeks. Children receive one-on-one lessons, where they learn faster and more effectively with individual attention. ISR’s rapid skill acquisition means your child will be ready to protect themselves much sooner, giving you peace of mind that they can handle water situations safely.
Tailored to Each Child’s Needs
Every child is different, and that’s why ISR lessons are personalized. We tailor each lesson to your child’s pace, ensuring that they are comfortable and confident before moving on to the next skill. ISR instructors are specifically trained to assess your child’s progress and adapt their instruction accordingly, ensuring the safest and most effective lessons possible.
Not Just for Babies—Lessons for Big Kids Too
ISR is often associated with teaching babies and toddlers, but we also offer lessons for older children (up to age 6). Our Big Kids program is perfect for children who are ready to learn more advanced skills, like stroke technique and water safety. As a former swim team coach, I bring years of experience coaching children of all ages, which allows me to provide expert-level stroke lessons that teach children how to swim with confidence.
We Teach Skills First, Fun Later
While we all love water play, we believe it’s more important to teach survival skills before thrills. ISR lessons focus on independence and survival, not fun or play. This approach ensures that your child has the skills they need to survive before they’re exposed to the enjoyment of swimming. We want to make sure your child knows how to handle a dangerous situation before they have fun in the water. In other words, SKILLS BEFORE THRILLS!
A Layer of Drowning Prevention
While other swim programs may teach some water safety principles, ISR Self-Rescue® lessons are an additional layer of prevention that could save your child’s life. Drowning can happen in an instant and in a variety of situations. ISR is the only program specifically designed to teach children survival skills in water, making it a vital part of every family’s water safety plan.
Why ISR is Right for Our Region
In Northern Nevada, we have so many natural water hazards like Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, and the Truckee River. These are beautiful and fun places to enjoy, but they also present risks, especially for young children. ISR lessons are essential in a region where water safety is critical, and where we know that children who have learned self-rescue skills are far less likely to become victims of drowning.
The Bottom Line: ISR Saves Lives
Ultimately, choosing ISR means choosing the best possible chance for your child to survive in an emergency situation. The skills children learn in ISR Self-Rescue® lessons can literally save their life—skills they may need in a critical moment.
Ready to give your child the skills they need to survive in the water? Get in touch to schedule your first lesson.
Testimonials
“When I heard ISR was available in Reno we jumped at the opportunity. Greyson completed ISR training with Lynnette as our instructor and we are forever grateful. This program has been well worth the investment. My son seemed hesitant at first but Lynnette showed patience and taught him in a caring and professional manner. By the end of the training session my son was self-assured yet excited to be in the water. As a mom who is not water savvy herself, I am relieved and feel confident that my son has been taught life saving water skills. We look forward to our future maintenance and refresher lessons.”
“I’ve been waiting for ISR to come to Reno since my 6 year old was born and we lived in a house that had a pool. We are so grateful that Lynnette finally came to Reno and all three of our kids completed the class! It was amazing to see how much they learned in just 6 weeks. Lynnette was so patient with each one of them during their sessions. We are so excited to see what they can do during their lessons in the summer months! ”
“Getting my kids enrolled in ISR swim has truly been one of the best things! When I was pregnant with my first baby, I knew immediately swim safety was something I really wanted to invest in (especially after being a PICU RN and taking care of many fatal drownings) but I was defeated when all my late night searches just kept coming up with traditional lessons. It wasn’t so important to me that they learn how to do different swimming techniques but more so to learn survival if they were to fall in (because things happen even when parents are watching). As a parent to young kids it was terrifying and frustrating; struggling to find lessons that actually focused on safety and survival, and watching week after week at traditional lessons & feeling little progress made. And then came ISR & Lynnette. FINALLY! I felt the biggest sense of relief and so much excitement. I have been brought to tears many times watching the kids swim and rescue their selfs/float and now knowing that they will have the life skill to save themselves if they ever had to has brought me peace around the water. There truly isn’t a price you can put on that. I can’t recommend Lynnette and ISR more! Truly the best!”
“Having 3 young kids and living an active lifestyle that takes us boating, kayaking & swimming very often in the summer, we knew our kids needed to swim. We had our two older ones in traditional, group, swim lessons for a few months and could see they were getting the hang of it, but they were nowhere close to safe. 6 weeks with Lynette and our middle child is a total fish. Our toddler can flip over on her back as soon as she enters the water, and with maintenance lessons she is actually swimming, not just saving herself. We now feel so much more confident near the water, and our kids do too. Thank you Lynette for giving us peace of mind, and giving our 2 younger kids confidence and life saving skills in the water!”
“Our ISR swim instructor, Lynnette, is amazing! Her patience, expertise and encouragement created such a supportive environment for learning. It’s clear Lynnette truly cares about each child’s progress and safety in the water. I highly recommend Lynnette’s classes if you’d like to see your child advance in skill swiftly and successfully.”
“Lynnette was incredibly patient with our son and he made significant strides in the pool. We’d highly recommend this program!”