FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I hear you say your priority is survival skills. Will my child learn to actually swim?
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.
What is the retention rate with ISR lessons?
ISR claims a retention rate of 94-100% up to one year following lessons. Having said this, children will explore and may pick up bad habits watching other children or with interference like floating in a bathtub or playing on the steps. As your child goes through lessons, you will begin to understand, through communication with your Instructor, what activities may interfere with his/her learned Self-Rescue skills. Contacting and/or returning to your instructor in a timely manner is imperative to maintaining effective habits.
Will my child need additional lessons?
Based on our research, we know that refresher lessons are important because children change so much both cognitively and physically during the first 4-5 years of life. It is important that their water survival skills grow with their bodies. Frequency depends on the child's age, growth rate, skill level and confidence level. The goal of refresher lessons is to help your child adjust his/her new body size and weight to his/her existing skill level. Your instructor will work with your child to help fine-tune his or her aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which will result in self-confidence. This is especially important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.
Why do you have the children swim in clothes?
Because 86% of 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.
Why are lessons 5 days per week and for only 10 minutes?
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 loosing body heat. Instructors check students regularly for temperature fatigue since this is an indicator of physical fatigue.
Why does it take 4-6 weeks for my child to learn this?
The 4-6 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 SelfRescue 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.
Are swimming lessons for infants and young children safe?
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 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 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.
Will my child fear the water because of lessons?
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.
What happens if my child misses lessons due to illnesses, vacations, etc.? Do we receive credits or roll overs?
It is understandable that life unexpected circumstances occur; however, credits or roll overs are NOT granted. Make up classes are offered and it is based upon the instructor’s availability and times’ availability. The make up classes are set up outside of your monthly rented time spots. It is the caretakers’ responsibility to keep track of missed lessons and to contact the instructor for make ups. All make ups must be completed by year’s end. Furthermore, if your child can’t do any of the make ups offered, credits or roll overs are NOT granted. Tuition is still paid in full and failure to pay tuition may result in your child losing his/her spot or possibly be terminated from that coach’s ISR services. The above applies to 5 day per week students, refresher students, and maintenance students.
What is ISR’s protocols for general childhood illnesses and other contagious illnesses such as COVID, etc.?
click here for ISR’s Common Childhood Illnesses
click here for ISR’s Covid Protocol
In the event that your child is ill, all illnesses are reported to the ISR’s Registration Evaluation Team (RET). Please contact your ISR instructor and he/she will give you detailed instructions on how to contact the RET. It is super easy to do, so no worries.
I often hear that puddle jumpers, artificial water wings, life jackets are not recommended. Why is that?
click here for video about Why Puddle Jumpers are bad? Stop using Puddle Jumpers
Please be mindful that life jackets are permitted on boats or other water areas/resources that require everyone to wear a life jacket. Please do not have your child to swim in one. It will interfere with their ISR training, it is not SAFE, and your investment in these lessons will go down the drain. Remember, your child is ISR trained to rely on his/her body as their own water safety device.
What is the next step once my child can be trained by an ISR instructor?
You and your ISR instructor will agree on a 5 day a week schedule. Once a schedule has been agreed upon, then your instructor will send you their ISR’s link/URL so you can register your child with ISR. ISR lessons do not start until the ISR company/The RET (Registration Evaluation Team) has approved your child for lessons. Once approved, your ISR instructor will send you further instructions on our daily ISR protocols and how to make ISR lessons a positive experience for everyone.
What does my child wear to lessons and what to bring to ISR lessons everyday?
All non-Potty trained children should wear our standard ISR diaper called The Happy Nappy. Click on the Amazon site for these diapers and pick the best size for your child. In addition to the Happy Nappy, another non disposable diaper or a disposable swim diaper should be worn inside of the Happy Nappy. We do this as an extra precaution in case of a “poop or Code Brown accident.” Everyday, please bring 3 large towels to lessons and a yoga mat (optional). Your ISR instructor will walk you step by step on how to set up for your child.
Join our list now to get in line.
Expected wait time is roughly 6-8 months, but don’t fret! As openings come available, we fill them immediately and we will update you regularly on your list position. We are passionate about serving our families and look forward to working with you soon!