ISR (Infant Swim Rescue) Lessons!

Once the beginning of summer hit I immediately registered both kids for swim lessons.  We started the first local swim lessons in June and I just wasn't that impressed.  For Carsyn is was a parent/tot class where all you did was make them comfortable in the water; blow bubbles, jump in and carry them around in circles.  Ryland's classes were a little better, they taught swim moves, but they never let the kids do it on their own, they were always holding them.

One day at our local pool, Ry ran past me (obviously excited) and jumped into the deep end.  The kid has no fear!  I had Carsyn and wasn't able to make it to him in time, luckily another adult was in the water next to him and grabbed his quickly sinking arm.  Yeesh!  I knew these local swim lessons just weren't cutting it and we were tired of having to use life-vests and floaties all the time.  The next day we were at my SIL's house and I saw her kids swimming, they are the same age as Ry and Carsy!  I asked what they were doing differently and ISR came up.  This is the 2nd time I've heard this mentioned.  I looked into it last year but the price is what made me hesitate.  Once I saw the results we realized it was soooo worth it to put them in these lessons.

I asked one of my running friends for their ISR contact, registered the kids for the following week and cancelled the local swim lessons.  We were ready to go!

The first time participating in ISR it usually runs for 6 weeks, depending on the child's skills.  They are 1 on 1 lessons with the teacher, 5 days a week for 10 mins each lesson.  Then every year after that you can re-register for a refresher course which should last about 2-4 weeks.  Our teacher, Ms Vicki, was AMAZED with our kids (especially Carsyn).  Ry only cried the first 3 lessons, then after that he LOVED it and couldn't wait to go to swim lessons every day.  Carsyn cried for probably a good 2 weeks before she was comfortable with the process.  However right off the bat the teacher noticed how strong Carsyn was and how quickly she caught on.  Heck by week 2 these kids made amazing leaps and bounds with their swimming skills and by week 3 Carsyn was loving it and actually started smiling during the lessons.

Carsyn on Day 4  - swim to side/bar

Ryland on Day 4 - working on float

Ryland week 3 of ISR lessons

Carsyn week 3

At the end of week 3 Ms Vicki told us they were ready to test out the following week!  I couldn't believe how quickly they had mastered these swimming/survival skills.  They both had to complete 2 tests.  The first test was in summer clothes (shorts, shirt, sandals), they had to fall in and demonstrate all their survival/swimming techniques.  Carsyn even had to wear 2 diapers!!  I can't imagine how heavy that must have been wearing a swim diaper and a regular diaper.  The second test was in winter clothes; pants, long sleeved shirt, jacket, socks and tennis shoes.  THEY DID GREAT!  I feel so much better now when we take them to the pool knowing that if they fall in they can float, swim, survive.  These kids are like fish!  They love the water and no longer require floaties!!  :)

Below our their test out videos:  Summer clothes, Winter clothes