ISR Self-Rescue® builds the foundation for lifelong enjoyment of the water, and I am thrilled to bring these lessons to families in Southern Maine!

ISR stands for infant swimming resource, a highly specialized global program that teaches water survival and self-rescue techniques to infants and young children aged 6 months to 6 years old. Unlike traditional swim classes that focus on water comfort, games, and stroke mechanics, ISR is strictly designed to give children the developmental skills to survive an unexpected fall into a body of water.

Core Skills Taught by Age

The curriculum relies on sensorimotor learning and is tailored to the child's physical development level: 

• 6 to 18 Months (Roll-to-Float): Infants learn to hold their breath underwater, roll onto their backs, and float unassisted to breathe and rest until help arrives. 

• 18 months to 6 Years (Swim-Float-Swim): Toddlers learn to swim face down, roll onto their backs to float and breathe when tired, and flip back over to continue swimming. They repeat this sequence until they reach a pool wall, steps, or safety. 

Unique Structure and Methods

• Time Commitment: Lessons are brief but highly frequent, lasting exactly 10 minutes per day, 4 days a week, typically spanning 6-8weeks. There is a lot of science behind these frequent, short lessons in regard to building muscle memory. Short sessions also prevent physical fatigue and accommodate young attention spans.  

• One-on-One Instruction: Lessons are strictly private, involving only the child and a certified, rigorously trained ISR instructor. 

• Real-World Simulation: Near the end of the program, children practice their self-rescue skills while fully clothed (including shoes and diapers) to simulate the heavy weight of a real accident scenario. 

• Ongoing Support and Continuous Training: Like any sport, ongoing practice is key and ISR families understand the importance of committing to lessons year-round. After a child completes their initial ISR session, they will return for monthly maintenance lessons. Children also return twice a year for a 1–2 week refresher to keep their self‑rescue skills aligned with their rapidly growing bodies. These sessions also provide an opportunity to learn new, age‑appropriate skills and take their progress to the next level.