FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

We offer lessons in Hawkins, Henderson, Nacogdoches, Tyler and surrounding areas

+ WHY ARE LESSONS 10 MINUTES?

Our number one reason is always safety. Lessons are mentally and physically demanding for little ones and we never want to fatigue or exhaust them. For their little bodies this can be quite the workout, so we make sure to limit that time as we want to be sure to see them the next day. No one goes back to the gym after a brutal leg day, am I right?

The second reason is for retention of skills. It is shown that children in this age range attain skills best within the first 10 minutes. We are sure you know this all too well that attention spans for little ones can be quite short.

+ WHY ARE LESSONS 5 DAYS A WEEK?

We know 5 days a week might seem daunting, but we promise it’s worth it. Like we said before, ISR Self-Rescue® Skills are developed just like any other sensorimotor skill. When learning to walk, crawl, or even ride a bike it’s the practice and repetition that makes for success. Imagine if you only had worked on those skills once a week?

Practicing ISR Self-Rescue® Skills on a consistent basis allows for muscle memory to form. Muscle memory is what allows your child to Self-Rescue as soon as they hit the water.

+ ARE THESE GROUP LESSONS?

Every lesson with ISR is one-on-one and individualized for each student. This means we never have more than one student in the water at a time and keep a 1:1 student to Instructor ratio.

+ DO PARENTS GET IN THE WATER?

Parents do not get in the pool for lessons, however we encourage parents to sit poolside and cheer on their little ones, as you're their support team.

Our research shows that parents often find it too difficult to be objective and effective teachers in the water. Which is exactly why we are here to help your little one master their ISR Self-Rescue® Skills.

Parents are invited in to the pool during the last week of lessons (this will be discussed with your Instructor beforehand). During this time we teach you how to maintain your child’s new skills while in the water and how to properly promote their ISR Self-Rescue® Skills.

+ WILL MY CHILD NEED TO COME BACK AFTER THE INITIAL SESSION?

Yes, ISR recommends Refreshers every 6 months due to rapid growth which can change their skills. We also offer Maintenance lessons for those who want to keep their child in the water regularly. See more information on these here.

+ WILL MY CHILD FORGET THESE SKILLS?

It’s important to remember that ISR Self-Rescue® Skills are a sensorimotor skill, just like crawling, walking, or riding a bike. The less you use these skills the rustier they get, but that doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten them. This is why Refresher and Maintenance lessons are important and encouraged, as they help keep their skills in shape and active. Remember, the more your child uses their skills the less likely they are to get “wonky”.

ISR has shown a retention rate of 94-100% up to one year following lessons.

+ WILL MY CHILD CRY DURING LESSONS?

For most children crying is developmentally appropriate and their only way of communicating. Typically once your child gains the confidence in their new skills the crying diminishes. Instructors are use to this behavior so don't be concerned about tears interfering with lessons.

Learning new skills, with a new person, in a new environment; honestly who wouldn’t be upset at first? The cry we hear oftentimes in the water is the same cry you get when you take away a toy, don’t let them eat dirt, or even put them in their car seat. It’s a protest and their way of saying they aren’t happy to be here. Remember this is their way of communicating with us since most children are not yet verbal.

We like to tell parents/guardians that if you can make it through the first couple of weeks, it gets easier. Remember everyday at lessons is another day of building in-water confidence and another day closer to your child being fully skilled. You've got this!

+ WILL MY CHILD HATE THE WATER?

There is a big difference between being fearful and being apprehensive in an unfamiliar environment. If you were to take your child to the pool, even after they’ve been in lessons with us, they most likely won’t cry. But if you were to take them to the exact same pool and they were to see us in it, now that’s a different story. They know we make them work hard and who voluntarily wants to do that?

ISR is not like traditional swim lessons; it is a drowning prevention program that teaches survival swimming. Your child may not happily skip to his or her ISR lessons each day at first, but that's okay. Sometimes as a parent you make sure your child does things for his or her SAFETY because you know they are important. The same can be said for ISR.

+ WHY DOES ISR NEED MY CHILD'S MEDICAL INFORMATION?

The medical registration ($105) allows our medical team to review each student before they start lessons. Our Registration Evaluation Team (RET) must approve each student prior to the start date. This allows ISR to work together with their Instructors to provide the safest lesson for each student.

Infant Swimming Resource, LLC ("ISR") 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 disabled applicants and students, with the provision of appropriate documentation of the need for the accommodation.

ISR’s mission of “Not One More Child Drowns” pertains to EVERY child. It’s our job to not only provide EVERY child with ISR Self-Rescue® skills, but to provide those skills safely and adequately for each child.

+ DO YOU TEACH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES?

Absolutely! Drowning isn’t specific with its victims and can take the life of any child who doesn’t know how to save themselves. Our mission of ‘Not One More Child Drowns” means we believe ISR lessons are for EVERY child.

Our team of medical professionals evaluates every student’s medical history and communicates with Instructors on the precautions needed to make each lesson as safe as possible. Since all lessons are one-on-one we are able to tailor lessons to each and every child.

+ HOW IS ISR DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL SWIM LESSONS?

ISR is the product of over 50+ years of ongoing research. Rather than blow bubbles and sing songs, our primary focus is to make sure each student can SURVIVE in the water and be an aquatic problem solver. We give them real life situations, like using their skills in full clothing, to make sure they are prepared for a real life drowning scenario. Our goal is to always do what is safest for each child and what is best for their survival.

+ IS ISR SAFE FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN?

Yes! ISR is dedicated to safety, and maintaining numerous safety protocols to promote safe lessons. Your child’s health and well-being 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 program that far exceeds any other training program of this kind. Each ISR Instructor is also required to attend yearly conferences, and undergo an extensive re-certification process. Your education in the area of aquatic safety for your entire family is an integral part of your child’s lessons, as well.

Consider these additional points:

• No child is ever thrown into the pool.
• A child is never submerged for more than seven (7) seconds.
• ISR Instructors monitor your child for temperature and muscular fatigue, as well as physical and psychological well-being.
• Your child’s daily routines outside of ISR lessons hold valuable data for your instructor. You will receive instruction on how to communicate this information to your instructor.

+ WHAT QUALIFIES A CERTIFIED INFANT SWIMMING RESOURCE INSTRUCTOR?

Each Instructor has gone through multiple interviews with the ISR team before accepted into training. Each ISR Instructor has spent a minimum of 6-8 weeks in the water working beside a Master Instructor and/or Senior Master Instructor, gradually taking more and more responsibility for each child’s lesson.

Each Instructor is also required to maintain certifications in First Aid and CPR for Healthcare Providers. In addition, each Instructor is required to attend the ISR National Re-certification Conference each year for continuing education about every facet of ISR, as well as quality control and quality assurance.