Learning new skills, with a new person, in a new environment; honestly who wouldn’t be upset at first? The cry we oftentimes hear in the water is the same cry you get when you take away a toy, don’t let them eat dirt, or put them in their car seat. It’s a protest, and their way of saying they aren’t happy to be there. The good news is, every lesson builds additional in-water confidence and is one day closer to your child being fully skilled. We know it’s hard to see your child upset, but remember, a crying baby is a breathing baby. You’ve got this!

ISR’s team of pediatric doctors and nurses review each student’s medical history prior to lessons beginning, to provide guidance to your instructor about how to deliver the safest and most effective lesson for the child and their individual needs. It’s our job to not only provide every child with ISR self-rescue skills, but to provide those skills in the safest way possible. Infant Swimming Resource 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 differently abled applicants and students, with the provision of appropriate documentation of the need for the accommodation.

After your little’s initial session, you can expect their skills to last 9-12 months without regular practice and 12+ months with regular practice. Program graduates are encouraged to participate in refresher lessons (shortened session sessions of one or two weeks) annually to refresh and progress skills or maintenance lessons (once weekly) in subsequent sessions to maintain skills. Find additional information about refresher and maintenance lessons here.

Since we know that 86% of childhood drownings occur when children are fully clothed, students practice their self-rescue skills during the final week of lessons in pajamas and winter clothing tests, (which can add 10-15lbs!). If a child has experienced the sensation of being in the water in clothing prior to an emergency situation, they’re less likely to experience panic and more able to focus on rescuing themselves if one occurs. Also, witnessing your child self-rescue in several layers, a jacket, and shoes will give you such peace of mind!