ISR Self-Rescue infant swim instruction

[jewel]

Has anyone done the ISR self-rescue classes? If so, what was your experience? The end product seems amazing, but it makes me wonder why more people don't do it. Is it just the ability to get to the class (time, money, availability, etc.) or is there something weird about the method?

I recently saw a friend post a video of her 13 month old, who just finished the class. He was dropped into a pool, fully clothed, and could turn and float on his back for 15-20 seconds (just like these babies, from the website).

 

[mrsjrd23]

I really wanted to but the time commitment was too much, especially with us both working and the latest available time was like 330 PM. We couldnt' leave work early every day for 6 weeks.

Someone in our area that teaches it offered evening classes this summer but she only does this very rarely and apparently you have to go back every year for refresher courses. Without consistent evening hours, it's hard to commit to it.

My friend who is a SAHM took her daughter and has seen great results.

[hermione]

Placing  a kid face down in water, even to teach them survival skills, is far too harsh a method for me. We'll just koko with traditional swim lessons until she's a competent swimmer.

[Brie]

arch01

I have seen videos and it seems awful. I learned to swim just fine the traditional way at a young age, so I think it's pretty unnecessary.

[oliviapope]

I think it is entirely separate from swimming lessons. It is more about teaching the baby how to instinctively self rescue. I think those skills are important. I have watched the classes and it isn't as harsh as the videos make it seem.

However, my kids have never done it (mainly because of the distance and time commitment). All three of mine could swim across the pool before age two. My youngest is swimming already at 18 months. They all learned with traditional lessons. If we still lived in our old house (directly on a saltwater canal) I absolutely would have done it-just in case one fell off the dock or something.

[timorousbeastie]

We haven't done it, but if we a) had a pool at our house and b) lived closer to someone who taught it, I definitely would do it.

[biscoffcookies]

My grandmother ran a swimming school that taught this (in addition to more "traditional" swim lessons). She gave me the lessons when I was just a toddler. There's a picture of me floating in a snowsuit in the pool when I was maybe 13-18 months old. My mom also tells stories about how another aspect of the lessons was to put me on a tricycle and push me into the pool -- apparently the instinct is to grab ahold of whatever you can (which, in this case, would be the tricycle that would drag you to the bottom) so they would teach the kids to let go as step 1.

Anyway, I don't think I was traumatized. I swam every chance I got when I was little. I'd definitely consider it if we were near water with any regularity (we're not) or if lessons were available - but I don't know of anyone who teaches it. We've actually have found it difficult to get DD enrolled just in "normal" swim lessons.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I live in Florida where water is EVERYWHERE. ISR is incredibly popular here. A lot of people I talk to are somewhat surprised we haven't done it with our kids because they just assume everyone does it.

I considered it, but I just didn't feel comfortable with it. However, if we had a pool in our backyard, I would absolutely do it. Water is so dangerous, and I would not feel comfortable with a pool in our backyard unless every child in the house could swim.

We did regular swim lessons with DD1 starting when she was 1 (about to turn 2). DD2 started swim lessons before she turned 1, and she's taking them again this summer (she just turned 2).

The swim teacher we use now taught ISR in the past, but she doesn't teach it now. She uses some of the same methods (she is all about survival -- she teaches the kids to swim to the side, she teaches them how to find the side from anywhere, she wants them to get used to the sensation of falling into the water), but she's more gentle about it than ISR.

ISR is a serious commitment -- 10 minute lessons five days a week for 6 weeks (longer if your kid takes longer -- a friend of mine did it for 10 or 12 weeks). You also have to keep a log of everything they eat and when they go to the bathroom, plus there are certain foods that are forbidden during the time you're taking lessons.

[cricketwife]

I very seriously considered it but did not for the following reasons
1. We don't have a pool or live near water so I'm not sure how necessary it is for us
2. It was super hard to get into a lesson spot
3. $$$$$$$$
4. I've heard that it can be harder for those babies to learn to swim because they are conditioned to automatically flip on their backs in water. They have to unlearn that before they can learn traditional swimming.

So in the end, we decided traditional lessons were better for us.

[hermione]

Jul 19, 2015 12:37:39 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

I live in Florida where water is EVERYWHERE. ISR is incredibly popular here. A lot of people I talk to are somewhat surprised we haven't done it with our kids because they just assume everyone does it.

I considered it, but I just didn't feel comfortable with it. However, if we had a pool in our backyard, I would absolutely do it. Water is so dangerous, and I would not feel comfortable with a pool in our backyard unless every child in the house could swim.

We did regular swim lessons with DD1 starting when she was 1 (about to turn 2). DD2 started swim lessons before she turned 1, and she's taking them again this summer (she just turned 2).

The swim teacher we use now taught ISR in the past, but she doesn't teach it now. She uses some of the same methods (she is all about survival -- she teaches the kids to swim to the side, she teaches them how to find the side from anywhere, she wants them to get used to the sensation of falling into the water), but she's more gentle about it than ISR.

ISR is a serious commitment -- 10 minute lessons five days a week for 6 weeks (longer if your kid takes longer -- a friend of mine did it for 10 or 12 weeks). You also have to keep a log of everything they eat and when they go to the bathroom, plus there are certain foods that are forbidden during the time you're taking lessons.

Why?

[krystee]

We are not doing this, but starting at 4 months, they put the kid two feet under water and it triggers an instinct to raise their arms up, which brings them to the surface. I am checking with our doctor next week at our 4-month appointment before we do it, but all the kids I saw do it did great. No tears or distress at all.

[arch01]

Thanks Brie

I'm adamantly against it. I am all for introducing children to the water at a young age, and there's no harm in putting a child under water at a young age as well-but IMO ISR goes overboard. Children are not able to communicate their fears, etc.-which is vital in their swimming success. I've taught kids who have had serious fears of going under water at an older age after going through ISR.

I'm going to see if I can go back and find a more complete/coherent response to ISR that I've written in the past. I'm certified in Red Cross and YMCA instruction and have been teaching for 16 years; I'm also close to several highly regarded members of the aquatic community, all who are opposed to ISR. I think it's important that everyone considering any sort of swim lesson though do their research and make the decision on what's best for their family.

[arch01]

pandce.proboards.com/thread/203877/uncharch-re-swimming-lessons

[DarcyLongfellow]

Jul 19, 2015 12:42:15 GMT -5 hermione said:

Jul 19, 2015 12:37:39 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

I live in Florida where water is EVERYWHERE. ISR is incredibly popular here. A lot of people I talk to are somewhat surprised we haven't done it with our kids because they just assume everyone does it.

I considered it, but I just didn't feel comfortable with it. However, if we had a pool in our backyard, I would absolutely do it. Water is so dangerous, and I would not feel comfortable with a pool in our backyard unless every child in the house could swim.

We did regular swim lessons with DD1 starting when she was 1 (about to turn 2). DD2 started swim lessons before she turned 1, and she's taking them again this summer (she just turned 2).

The swim teacher we use now taught ISR in the past, but she doesn't teach it now. She uses some of the same methods (she is all about survival -- she teaches the kids to swim to the side, she teaches them how to find the side from anywhere, she wants them to get used to the sensation of falling into the water), but she's more gentle about it than ISR.

ISR is a serious commitment -- 10 minute lessons five days a week for 6 weeks (longer if your kid takes longer -- a friend of mine did it for 10 or 12 weeks). You also have to keep a log of everything they eat and when they go to the bathroom, plus there are certain foods that are forbidden during the time you're taking lessons.

Why?

I wish I knew.

Something to do with making sure they don't have gas when they're at swim lessons because gas can affect how they float.

But it seemed like crazy overkill to me.

[savan]

My kids were taught using the Smart Fish Method, which essentially uses the back float as the foundation for all other swimming instructions. There is no dog paddling or lifting your head up when swimming. If you need to breathe, you roll over on your back to catch your breath. As a result, the first thing they learn to do is jump in the pool and roll over on their backs.

It's way less intensive than ISR sounds. My kids were only in lessons once a week and it was a good year of weekly lessons before they did their survival test with clothes on. It did not traumatize them in any way and I liked it a lot. Any time we were near a body of water, say on a pier over the ocean, I would ask my kids what they should do if they fell off the pier. They always responded, "Roll over and float until help comes."

[ilikedonuts]

My friends kids who did this would have to be pulled away from their parents screaming and sometimes puking because they were so terrified even after months of lessons.

ETA: I'm sure that isn't what all kids do while taking the lessons, but it did freak me out to know that multiple friends' kids did the same thing.

[ilikedonuts]

Jul 19, 2015 13:43:13 GMT -5 savan said:

My kids were taught using the Smart Fish Method, which essentially uses the back float as the foundation for all other swimming instructions. There is no dog paddling or lifting your head up when swimming. If you need to breathe, you roll over on your back to catch your breath. As a result, the first thing they learn to do is jump in the pool and roll over on their backs.

It's way less intensive than ISR sounds. My kids were only in lessons once a week and it was a good year of weekly lessons before they did their survival test with clothes on. It did not traumatize them in any way and I liked it a lot. Any time we were near a body of water, say on a pier over the ocean, I would ask my kids what they should do if they fell off the pier. They always responded, "Roll over and float until help comes."

That's similar to how our swim school does it too. And then they work it into the future levels to go towards the correct breathing. DD1 rolls over to breath and rolls back in and keeps swimming when she does her laps. Current level she just learned to put her lead arm out as she rolls and next level they go to actual rolling breathing rather then fully rolling over.

[karinothing]

I did it when I was a baby obviously do not remember But we lived in FL on the water and it was about survival. As far as I know it did not traumatize me, but I could see why it would.

[cmarie11]

Jul 19, 2015 12:28:43 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

We don't live on or near water, so an intense method like this as opposed to regular fun lessons seems like overkill.

Agreed. I think starting traditional swimming lessons at a young age is extremely important, however I think this is a little overkill. If I lived on a lake, had a pond or swimming pool in my backyard I would probably consider it. 

[jewel]

You've all mentioned my thoughts, both positive and negative. I haven't yet seen videos of the actual lessons, but teaching a baby to get to the surface doesn't seem like a very pleasant experience.

I did email our pediatrician, to see what she thinks about it.

In our situation, the risk is probably more my nervousness, than an actual regular risk. We do not have a pool nor live within walking distance of any body of water. We do spend a lot of time at the public pool, and sometimes camp at the lake, but it's not a daily thing. My in-laws do have a pool that they refuse to fence, which is one reason that we don't spend much time there.

I also emailed the ISR instructor, and just heard back from her. She explained the process in further detail, and said that there is an initial assessment done by their nurses, and then the daily charts are monitored by their nurses, to ensure that the child is healthy enough for the program. It's great that they have medical oversight, but WHY does there need to be such intense monitoring for swim lessons, you know? At this point, she doesn't have any spots open until the end of August, and we are travelling in Sept, and then she's closed for the winter. So, I guess our decision is tabled until the spring. We do start regular swim lessons in a few weeks, and will just continue on with those through the winter.

In case anyone is curious, the prices here are $125/week for M-F 10 minute sessions, plus a $105 fee to start. They expect it to take 6 weeks, so around $855 total. Regular swim lessons are $85/month for a weekly 30 minute group class.

[ilikedonuts]

Jul 19, 2015 15:25:47 GMT -5 jewel said:

I also emailed the ISR instructor, and just heard back from her. She explained the process in further detail, and said that there is an initial assessment done by their nurses, and then the daily charts are monitored by their nurses, to ensure that the child is healthy enough for the program. It's great that they have medical oversight, but WHY does there need to be such intense monitoring for swim lessons, you know? 

This alone makes me go ummmm what the heck would I be signing my kid up for?

[laughndance]

I know someone who allowed an instructor to use her home pool for a series of these lessons. She mentioned that she didn't realize how many kids threw up during them until she hosted them.

[jewel]

Jul 19, 2015 15:57:51 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Jul 19, 2015 15:25:47 GMT -5 jewel said:

I also emailed the ISR instructor, and just heard back from her. She explained the process in further detail, and said that there is an initial assessment done by their nurses, and then the daily charts are monitored by their nurses, to ensure that the child is healthy enough for the program. It's great that they have medical oversight, but WHY does there need to be such intense monitoring for swim lessons, you know? 

This alone makes me go ummmm what the heck would I be signing my kid up for?

I totally agree.

It's just, now that this is in my head, I'm having trouble deciding NOT to do it.

[jewel]

I should also add that I've known a number of kids (through my job), under the age of 3, who have experienced some sort of significant accident in the water. I know that the number of times that I've seen it is much higher than the general rate of occurrence, but it does make me particularly worried.

[jorja]

If I had a pool or lived close to water, I would consider it, but the time and money commitment is huge and it feels really harsh to me.

[jeaniebueller]

Idk. It seems a little ridiculous IMO. I would stick with traditional swim lessons.

[marie3246]

I am so conflicted about this. In about a year we are moving back to our house with a pool. Hopefully DD will be able to swim by then but we do plan on having more kids. I love having a pool in the backyard but I am terrified of kids drowning. We have a baby fence around it, alarms on all the doors/windows and a high latch on the back door. I am still terrified of dd getting past all of that when I'm not watching her though. On the other hand I know so many people who have said their kids were traumatized by it and it seems so harsh to me.

[lo]

How long are these little kids hypothetically able to float on their backs until an adult reaches them?

[jewel]

Jul 19, 2015 21:32:51 GMT -5 lo said:

How long are these little kids hypothetically able to float on their backs until an adult reaches them?

I think they say 15-25 seconds. The girl who posted the video on Facebook said that her baby (13 months) can float for about 20 seconds.

After 12 months (ETA - of age), though, they say that they teach float/swim. The child is supposed to be able to float, swim towards the side, float again as needed for air or to rest, and continue to swim until they reach the side and can get out of the water or hang on until they get help.

[nabum]

Jul 19, 2015 13:43:13 GMT -5 savan said:

My kids were taught using the Smart Fish Method, which essentially uses the back float as the foundation for all other swimming instructions. There is no dog paddling or lifting your head up when swimming. If you need to breathe, you roll over on your back to catch your breath. As a result, the first thing they learn to do is jump in the pool and roll over on their backs.

It's way less intensive than ISR sounds. My kids were only in lessons once a week and it was a good year of weekly lessons before they did their survival test with clothes on. It did not traumatize them in any way and I liked it a lot. Any time we were near a body of water, say on a pier over the ocean, I would ask my kids what they should do if they fell off the pier. They always responded, "Roll over and float until help comes."

my son's school uses this method also. I'm so impressed by how quickly kids in his school catch on.