Are ISR Lessons Safe for Children and Infants?

Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons are uniquely designed with children’s safety and developmental needs at their core. But this commitment to safety extends far beyond the pool — certified ISR instructors undergo extensive training that includes in fact psychology, physiology, and First Aid. This training enables instructors to recognize and adapt to the individual needs of each student. But the question that most often crops up among parents is: are ISR lessons safe for children and infants?

How ISR Lessons Work

Certified ISR instructors teach babies as young as six months old how to float on their backs, and as they grow, how to turn and swim toward safety. Lessons are short, typically around 10 minutes, which minimizes the stress on young learners and focuses on building confidence and familiarity with the water. These short lessons are conducted consistently — five days a week for a total of 4-6 weeks. 

Each lesson is individualized, with instructors carefully observing each child’s readiness and response to ensure a positive experience. Lessons are conducted one-on-one so that instructors can fully monitor and assess their students. All ISR instructors receive rigorous training, and are required to attend an annual recertification. Your child’s medical and developmental history is also required for their enrollment into ISR lessons to ensure the highest level of safety.

Common Concerns

Parents may worry about the intensity of ISR lessons, especially since some infants might cry during their sessions. It’s important to remember that crying in infants is often a natural response to new experiences, and doesn’t always indicate fear or trauma. ISR instructors are trained to read cues from children and to provide comfort and reassurance to their students. And, the emphasis on short lessons, gentle guidance, and constant one-on-one monitoring allow ISR lessons to be conducted in a safe, controlled environment. 

Some other frequently asked questions of ISR are: 

• Will my child aspirate water into their lungs? 
  • In children with normal airways, their body’s natural response will keep their lungs safe from water that is suddenly ingested. This reaction isn’t present when a child is unconscious, in which case the natural reflex of breathing would take over. Children are constantly monitored to ensure they aren’t taking in water. 
• If my child is under a year old, what will they learn? 
  • Children that are between 6-12 months old are taught to roll over and maintain a back-float position in the event of an accidental fall into the water. This skill takes approximately 4 weeks of 10 minute lessons, 5 days a week, for children this age to master. 
• If my child is over a year old, what will they learn? 
  • Children over 12 months old are taught to swim with their face in the water and to roll onto their backs when they sense the need for air. After resting and breathing, they are taught to roll over and swim to the nearest point of safety. The format for lessons is the same as for infants, and is appropriate for children aged 12 months to 6 years old.

The Bottom Line

When conducted by a certified instructor in an appropriate facility, ISR is a safe, effective, and empowering approach to infant and child water safety. H2O Survival Swim School employs this proven method of adding a layer of safety through survival skills, while maintaining a nurturing and positive environment. Contact us to discuss how ISR can lay a foundation for lifelong water confidence and awareness for you and your child.