We unveiled our pool yesterday, and while one part of me was thrilled, another part felt a tinge of dread. I have two young children: a curious toddler and an adventurous preschooler. Now that the pool is open, keeping an eye on them will be a full-time job.
However, this summer brings a certain peace of mind. My kids have completed the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) program.
Last year, I first heard about ISR after my friend completed it with her child. I stumbled upon videos showing infants and toddlers in distress, flipping into the water, and I was horrified. It was tough to watch, and I quickly dismissed the idea for my own kids.
But later, after listening to heart-wrenching stories from parents who had experienced their toddlers drowning, I felt compelled to do more research. The fear and regret in their voices lingered in my mind. One particular account struck me hard:
On a sunny day in January, a mom named Sarah was at a park for a fitness class. She left her 15-month-old son, Ethan, with another parent for just two minutes. When she returned, he was missing. Panic set in as she spotted the water rippling from a nearby canal. To her relief, she found Ethan floating, using the self-rescue techniques he had been taught. He was shaken but unharmed. Sarah expressed her immense gratitude for ISR, saying they would be forever thankful for the life-saving skills he learned.
That was it. I enrolled my kids in ISR.
The program began with a certified instructor easing my children into the water. Initially hesitant, they began to learn the ISR Self-Rescue Method, and yes, they cried. Was it painful to watch them look at me with pleading eyes? Absolutely. But we stuck with it, and soon enough, they stopped crying. They gained confidence and even began to look forward to their lessons.
Is it a commitment? Definitely. Classes are ten minutes long—perfect for a toddler’s attention span—Monday through Friday, usually lasting around nine weeks until they master the self-rescue skills.
Is it worth it? Without a doubt. Teaching your children a skill that could potentially save their lives is invaluable, especially when they’ll be near water this summer. If you own a pool or will be around one, I strongly encourage you to explore ISR’s mission of “Not one more child drowns.”
Lessons start for babies as young as six months, provided they can sit up unassisted. I enrolled my son at nine months, and he learned the skill in a few weeks. My two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, being more aware, was a bit more hesitant, but they both successfully graduated the program after floating on their backs in full clothing for two minutes. There were no tears this time—just proud smiles.
If you’re having second thoughts because of the tears, I completely understand. I was in the same boat. Ultimately, I decided that hearing my kids cry in a safe environment with a professional was far better than the alternative of never hearing them cry again.
For more information on ISR or to find a certified instructor nearby, visit infantswim.com. And if you’re interested in a deeper dive into related topics, check out this informative post on home insemination kits.
In summary, the decision to enroll my children in swim rescue lessons was challenging but necessary. The skills they learned through ISR not only built their confidence but also provided me with peace of mind during pool season. It’s a commitment worth making for the safety of our little ones.
Keyphrase: Swim Rescue Lessons
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