FAQs

Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) is the world’s safest provider of self-rescue swim lessons for infants and young children. ISR teaches infants and young children from 6 months to 6 years old critical life-saving skills that empower them to survive if they were to fall into the water. These skills include the ability to roll onto their backs to float, breathe, and call for help.

What makes ISR unique is its individualized approach, focusing on each child’s developmental needs to ensure they are both safe and confident in the water. Through one-on-one lessons, children learn self-rescue techniques in as little as 4-6 weeks. ISR’s approach is scientifically-backed and proven to reduce the risk of drowning significantly.

ISR lessons can begin as early as 6 months old. At this age, babies are taught how to float on their backs and breathe. Starting early allows infants to develop a comfort and confidence in the water, which is a crucial foundation for learning life-saving skills.

While ISR starts at 6 months, children of all ages (up to 6 years old) can benefit from the program. As children grow, lessons evolve to focus on more advanced self-rescue skills, like swimming to safety or reaching the pool's edge.

ISR lessons are one-on-one, tailored to each child’s individual development and needs. Each lesson lasts about 10 minutes. This brief, focused duration helps keep children engaged and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed.

Lessons are held five days a week, ensuring consistent progress. The instructor works with your child to develop water safety skills, gradually building to more advanced techniques such as self-rescue, floating, and swimming to the edge.

Parents are required to attend every lesson to provide support and observe how the skills are being taught. This also ensures that you’re fully equipped to continue reinforcing your child’s skills at home.

The length of the program varies based on each child’s progress and developmental stage. On average, ISR lessons last between 4 to 6 weeks, but this can be shorter or longer depending on your child’s needs.

The most important thing is that your child learns self-rescue skills at their own pace. There is no rush—each child progresses based on their comfort, understanding, and physical readiness. Throughout the lessons, your child will be consistently monitored to ensure they are making the necessary advancements.

It’s natural for children to have some fear of the water, especially when they’re just starting. ISR instructors are highly trained in working with children who are fearful or anxious. The first few lessons focus on getting children comfortable and confident in the water, and instructors are patient and gentle as they help children overcome these fears.

If your child is hesitant, we will go at their pace to help them build trust in the water. Our goal is to ensure that your child feels safe, supported, and empowered throughout the entire learning process.

For safety and comfort, children should wear a swim diaper (mandatory for infants) and a snug-fitting swimsuit. Swim diapers are required to ensure hygiene in the water. The snug swimsuit allows for easy movement and also helps instructors work closely with your child.

As your child progresses, you may also be advised to bring a rash guard or swim shirt to help regulate their body temperature, especially if the pool water is cool.

Yes, ISR lessons are designed with safety as the highest priority. All ISR instructors undergo rigorous training and are certified in CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety. ISR instructors are also insured and continuously receive additional training to stay updated on the latest safety techniques.

The ISR approach is scientifically based and has been proven to reduce the risk of drowning-related injuries. ISR has trained over 350,000 children globally, many of whom have successfully demonstrated self-rescue in real-life situations.

Yes, we ask that parents or caregivers stay during the lessons. This helps your child feel more secure, especially during the first few lessons. It also allows you to observe how to reinforce the skills taught during the lessons at home.

Your presence is key to making sure your child feels supported and confident. It also gives you the chance to ask any questions and stay informed about your child’s progress.

The cost of ISR lessons varies depending on the location and the instructor’s rates. Typically, ISR programs range in price from $75 to $100 per lesson. Packages are often available, with the cost decreasing per lesson if multiple lessons are purchased.

We understand that this is an investment in your child’s safety, and our goal is to make the process as clear and transparent as possible. Please reach out for specific pricing in your area, as rates vary by region.

ISR is inclusive and works with children of all abilities, including those with special needs or medical conditions. Instructors are trained to accommodate a variety of physical and developmental challenges and will customize lessons to meet your child’s unique needs.

If your child has any health concerns, we encourage you to share this information during the consultation so we can work together to create the safest and most effective lesson plan possible.

We understand that life happens, and sometimes you may need to miss a lesson. If this happens, please reach out to your instructor as soon as possible. Many instructors offer make-up lessons when scheduling allows. Consistency is key for your child’s progress, so we recommend keeping the lesson schedule as regular as possible to ensure the best results.

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1-4, but ISR has been proven to significantly reduce that risk. By teaching children how to self-rescue—such as floating on their back, breathing, and rolling to the edge of the pool—ISR ensures that children have the skills to survive an accidental fall into water.

Studies and real-world success stories have demonstrated that children trained in ISR are dramatically less likely to drown than those who haven’t received this training. ISR’s focus on self-rescue, rather than basic swimming, addresses the real-life dangers of drowning, where quick and independent action is critical.