Frequently Asked Questions

Why ISR?

  • Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) is the product of more than 50 years of ongoing development in the area of aquatic survival instruction for infants and children. ISR's primary focus is to teach your child to become a productive swimmer or floater at any depth. The goal of ISR is for your child to become an "aquatic problem solver." ISR will greatly increase your child's chance of surviving an aquatic accident, even when fully clothed!

  • Every Certified ISR Instructor worldwide completes an 8-week intensive academic and in-water training and certification program with a minimum of 80 hours of in-water time with a Certified Master Instructor. All instructors must have current CPR and First Aid certification. Once certified, ISR Instructors must undergo annual recertification and are recognized as highly skilled, precise aquatic behavior specialists who understand the unique cognitive, intellectual and physical development dynamics of young children. Understanding the behaviors of children in the water allows each Instructor to respond with ISR’s proprietary technique.

  • Yes. At ISR, 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.

  • 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. Also, your child's medical and developmental history is a mandatory part of the ISR national registration process, all of which are held strictly confidential. All ISR instructors undergo intensive and rigorous training that far exceeds any other training program of this kind. Each ISR Instructor is also required to attend a yearly re-certification symposium 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.

  • No. ISR is one layer of protection and should always be combined with active adult supervision, pool barriers, and other water safety measures.

  • ISR parents are intelligent and 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. (Newsweek and Drowning Statistics)

About Lessons

  • Every child adjusts to ISR lessons differently. During the first few lessons, your child will begin building trust with their instructor while becoming comfortable in the water and learning foundational self-rescue skills. Because the skills being taught are challenging and new, some children may cry or show frustration at first, which is a normal part of the learning process. Lessons are kept to just 10 minutes per day to match your child's physical and emotional readiness. As confidence grows, most children become more comfortable, engaged, and proud of their accomplishments in the water.

  • 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 fairly 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 78-88 degrees, the temperature is still lower than your child's body temperature. Lessons are work and therefore will also be losing body heat. Instructors check students regularly for temperature fatigue since this is an indicator of physical fatigue.

  • Short answer: no.

    In September 2018, the American College of Emergency Physicians declared that terminology such as “dry drowning,” “wet drowning,” “near drowning,” “secondary drowning,” and “delayed drowning” should no longer be used. 

    There are three medically recognized types of drowning: (1) fatal, (2) nonfatal with injuries, and (3) nonfatal without injuries. 

    Unfortunately, the outdated terms are continuously sensationalized and used by the media. 

    Drowning does not happen days to a week after being in water. There are no medically accepted conditions known as ‘near-drowning,’ ‘dry drowning,’ and ‘secondary drowning.'

    As for the concern about inhaling water during swimming, there are 2 tubes: the esophagus, which goes to the stomach, and the trachea, which goes to the lungs. If water is swallowed, it goes to the stomach & is absorbed or peed out. The epiglottis naturally block water from going into the lungs. A child would have to be unconscious, or the epiglottis would have to be jarred in some way, for it not to function properly. If a child inhales some water while playing in the bath or gets dunked in the pool during water tag, there’s no need to worry.

    Here are some reputable sources to check out:

  • Because most of the children who fall in the water do so fully clothed, we want our students to have experience with such a situation. If a child has experienced the sensations of being in the water in clothing prior to an emergency situation, 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.

  • No. Every child can learn. It is my job to Find the best way to communicate the information so that it makes sense to the child. I set your child up to be successful every time. I start at your child’s skill level and set her up for success every lesson.

  • All lessons are always one-on-one to ensure personalization and safety.

  • Yes! All students must complete a medical history review conducted by ISR’s nursing team. They provide tailored protocols to address individual needs, ensuring a safe and customized learning experience.

  • There is an important difference between being fearful and being apprehensive because you are not yet skilled in a new environment. ISR is not like traditional swim lessons; it is a drowning prevention program that teaches survival swimming. Sometimes as a parent, you make choices for your child’s safety, like sitting in a car seat, because you know they are important. The same can be said for ISR. Fun can be defined as when skill meets challenge. Once competent in their skills, many children cannot be dragged away from the pool. They are having entirely too much FUN.

  • The 7 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. It is important to realize that this is an average which means that some children will actually finish more quickly while others will need more practice. ISR 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 is unique. However, many parents report that once their young children have mastered learning to swim, the resulting confidence in their abilities engenders a positive self-concept that is often demonstrated in other aspects of their personalities. There are also obvious health and other psychological gains.

  • The success of ISR training relies heavily on consistent attendance

    Lessons missed by the family are not typically credited or made-up because lessons are priced by the timeslot. For extenuating circumstances or prolonged illness (that requires a medical update) lessons may be credited for another lesson.

    If I personally need to cancel for any reason, then you are not charged.

    If needed, Fridays could be used as makeup days depending on circumstances.

    It is important to note that each child finishes the course at their own pace. (But they all do master it!) When planning for duration of lessons, especially if there are absences, it helps to count days, rather than weeks. For example, to gauge an approximate end date, rather than planning out “6 calendar weeks,” it helps to count out “30 lesson days” instead. Regardless, all children will come to lessons until they are completely ISR Skilled.

    I understand that life events happen, but consistent attendance is crucial for skill development. Please plan your schedule accordingly to maximize your child's learning experience

Location & Schedule

  • I teach lessons in my Pearland home, conveniently located near Pearland Parkway and FM 518.

    Lessons are held in my private outdoor heated pool, allowing for comfortable instruction throughout the year. During the spring and summer months, shaded seating areas are provided so families can stay cool and comfortable while watching their child learn.

  • My pool is a heated chlorine pool. The water is professionally maintained and monitored to provide a clean, safe, and comfortable learning environment for all students year-round.

  • Lessons are held Monday-Thursday, for a maximum of 10 minutes per day, and are offered throughout the day, from early morning to early evening. It takes a child anywhere from 7-8 weeks to become ISR Skilled. For example, an older child with ISR experience will be on the shorter side, and a young toddler, who is new to the program, will likely be on the longer side. Each child continues weekly lessons until they are fully ISR Skilled.

  • I am happy to teach your child at any time! Here are some things to consider in respect to seasons:

    Spring/Summer: We know many parents consider swim lessons in the warmer months, and that is certainly ok! While it is most ideal to keep your little one out of the pool while they are in lessons, I can certainly help you navigate some “dos” & “don’ts” to help keep confusion at bay with your child. (Many times, pool play can be opposite to what they are learning in lessons.) At the end of the course, you will get in the pool with your child and me so that you can be shown how to practice and play with your little one without compromising their self-rescue skills.

    Fall/Winter: We encourage families to consider lessons in the "off season" to arm their child with aquatic skills BEFORE pools open for the summer, since lessons can last anywhere from 6-7 weeks, depending on the child.

    Most importantly, regardless of what season your child learns in, continuation of maintenance lessons will be recommended.

  • Yes! I do my best to schedule siblings back-to-back whenever possible, making it more convenient for families with multiple children enrolled in lessons. Please let me know during registration if you would like sibling lessons scheduled consecutively, and I will do my best to accommodate your request based on availability.

  • Lessons are held rain or shine whenever it is safe to do so. I closely monitor weather conditions each day and make every effort to keep lessons on schedule. However, if lightning or other unsafe weather conditions are present, lessons will be canceled and made up at a later date to ensure every child receives their full lesson count.

  • Majority of lessons are taught in my heated outdoor pool at my private residence in Pearland, TX. During the coldest part of the year, I offer sessions at a indoor pool location, usually in January, to provide a comfortable learning environment for students and families.

Methodology

  • ISR instructors teach infants to swim by honoring each child's individual strengths and experiences. They understand the fundamentals of the behavioral sciences, child development, and sensorimotor learning as it relates to the acquisition of aquatic survival skills; they use this education to guide each child through the sequence of learning to swim and float.

  • Yes. Consider that children learn to sit, crawl, and walk before they learn to speak. Because we teach through sensorimotor learning, verbal skills are not required for a child to acquire ISR Self-Rescue® skills. We are able to communicate with our students through touch and positive reinforcement while striving to set our students up for success every step of the way.

  • Breath-holding skills are taught in the first lesson. We shape breath control using highly effective positive reinforcement techniques. We continue to reinforce these breath-holding techniques throughout every lesson.

  • A baby does not need to perceive danger or be afraid to respond appropriately to being underwater. If a baby has learned to roll over and float when he needs air, he doesn't need to perceive danger to respond in this manner. He needs skill, practice, and confidence to calmly deal with the situation.

  • Unfortunately, babies cannot naturally swim. If this were the case, there wouldn’t be so many drownings every year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Accident Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-3 in the United States.

American Academy of Pediatrics

What is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) position on swimming lessons for young children?

In March of 2019, the AAP updated its drowning prevention policy and laid out strategies to protect children at each stage of their lives. According to the AAP, “Evidence reveals that many children older than 1 year will benefit from swim lessons. Swim lessons are increasingly available for a wide range of children, including those with various health conditions and disabilities such as ASD. A parent or caregiver’s decision about when to initiate swim lessons must be individualized based on a variety of factors, including comfort with being in the water, health status, emotional maturity, and physical and cognitive limitations. Although swim lessons provide 1 layer of protection from drowning, swim lessons do not “drown proof” a child, and parents must continue to provide barriers to prevent unintended access when not in the water and closely supervise children when in and around water.” Further, the AAP states, “There is tremendous variability among swim lessons, and not every program will be right for each child. Parents and caregivers should investigate options for swim lessons in their community before enrollment to make sure that the program meets their needs and the needs of the child. High-quality swim lessons provide more experiential training, including swimming in clothes, in life jackets, falling in, and practicing self-rescue.” Source.