WHY ARE LESSONS ONLY 10 MINUTES? Safety is our top priority. Short lessons prevent fatigue, as swimming is both mentally and physically demanding for young children. We keep sessions brief to ensure they’re effective and safe.
WHY ARE LESSONS FIVE DAYS A WEEK? Consistency builds muscle memory, which is essential for ISR Self-Rescue® Skills. Practicing daily helps these skills become second nature—like learning to walk or ride a bike.
WILL MY CHILD CRY DURING LESSONS? Crying is normal; it’s often how young children communicate. Many children stop crying once they feel more confident with their new skills. Remember, your encouragement makes a difference, and with every lesson, they’re building confidence and ability in the water. Your child may cry when you put them in a car seat, but you know the car seat can save their life. It’s the same with survival swim lessons.
WHAT MAKES ISR UNIQUE COMPARED TO OTHER PROGRAMS? We teach young children to respond independently to unexpected water situations, increasing their chances of survival. This program focuses on developing skills that empower children, because we believe that they need to learn survival skills before learning the water is fun. We also teach children to take responsibility for their own actions in the water, instead of having an adult do the motions for them.
ARE THESE GROUP LESSONS? No, each ISR lesson is one-on-one. This individualized approach allows us to tailor lessons to your child’s unique needs.
DO PARENTS JOIN IN THE WATER? Parents don’t join in the pool during lessons but are encouraged to cheer from the side! During the final week, we’ll bring parents into the water to show how to support and maintain their child’s new skills safely.
ARE ISR LESSONS SAFE? Yes! ISR has taught over 7 million safe, effective lessons. Each instructor is highly trained and focuses entirely on your child. We monitor each child’s health daily and adjust lessons if needed for their well-being.
HOW DO CHILDREN LEARN BREATH CONTROL? Instructors teach breath control from day one using positive reinforcement. This ensures that even infants as young as six months learn to hold their breath safely, preparing them to respond calmly underwater. We have a strict rule that no child will hold their breath longer than 7 seconds.
WHAT ABOUT FLOATIES OR LIFE JACKETS? Flotation devices, such as water wings or puddle jumpers, can create a false sense of security for both kids and parents. They teach children to float in unsafe, vertical positions and may increase drowning risks. Properly fitting life jackets are only recommended when boating or near open water under close adult supervision. We ask that once you start ISR lessons that you discontinue all flotation devices while in a pool environment.
HAVE ISR SKILLS HELPED CHILDREN IN REAL EMERGENCIES? Yes, ISR has over 1,000 documented survival stories. Even in just three years of teaching, I have personally witnessed four students self-rescue in real situations.
HOW CAN BABIES RESPOND IF THEY FALL IN? With ISR training, babies don’t need to recognize danger. They simply respond using their practiced skills. Rolling over to float becomes an instinctive way for them to breathe and stay safe until help arrives.
WILL MY CHILD NEED ADDITIONAL LESSONS? At a minimum, ISR recommends refresher lessons every 6-12 months. As children grow, their bodies change, and these sessions help ensure their skills stay sharp. While no program can make a child completely “drown-proof,” refresher lessons keep them prepared. We also offer maintenance lessons, which can be offered on a flexible schedule, often starting a few times a week and tapering down to 1-2 times a month.