FAQ
What is ISR and how is it different from other programs?
ISR is a product of over 50 years of ongoing development in the area of aquatic survival for infants and young children. ISR's primary focus is to teach your child to become a productive swimmer, or floater in any depth of water. The goal of ISR is that your child becomes an aquatic problem solver. ISR will greatly increase your child's chance of surviving an aquatic accident, even when fully clothed!
Why are lessons only 10 minutes long?
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 than 10 minutes 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 your child will also be losing body heat. Instructors check students regularly for temperature fatigue since this is an indicator of physical fatigue.
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 differs from 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 lessons.
Do you have children that just can't learn the skills?
No. Every child can learn. It is the instructor's job to find the best way to communicate the information so that it makes sense to the child. We set your child up to be successful every time. We meet each child where the are at.
I hear you say your priority is survival skills. Will my child actually learn to 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.
How do kids react during the first few lessons?
Children often fuss during the first few lessons because they are in a new environment and around new people. As your child becomes more confident in his/her ability in the water, the fussing will decrease. With increased competence in the water comes increased confidence.
What is your stance on flotation devices?
We discourage the use of any flotation device in a pool. Many flotation devices put children in a vertical position, also known as the drowning position. The best thing you can do if you have unskilled swimmers, is get in the pool with them and hold them in the water.
*You should always use a USCG approved life-jacket when in and around open water such as lakes and oceans.
Why do you have children swim in clothes?
Because 86% of children who fall in the water do so when 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.
Do parents participate in the lessons?
Parents do not get in the water during the child's initial learning. We do encourage parents to sit poolside and cheer their child on. Once your child has solidified their skills, parents are invited to get in with their child for a lesson to learn how to practice their child's new skills.