My husband and I moved to Dripping Springs in 2016 with two daughters, another on the way, and elaborate plans for a backyard oasis. Knowing that drowning is the number-one cause of death in children under five, I enrolled our youngest in survival swim classes in Austin. The impressive skills she gained were evidence of an unfilled need in our community. Inspired to meet these needs, I now own and operate Dripping Springs Infant Swimming Resource (ISR), teaching babies and toddlers these lifesaving skills.
What is ISR?
ISR teaches children ages six months to six years how to get to the safest position in the water: on their back, resting and breathing. Once children can walk, they can learn a sequence of a short swim, rolling on their back to rest and breathe, and then flipping over to swim again. Children learn these skills over six weeks with frequent, one-on-one lessons. ISR graduates become "aquatic problem solvers" so they can save their own lives if they reach the water alone.
What are the most common misconceptions about ISR lessons?
You have likely seen viral videos where babies are “tossed in the water” and come up floating on their backs. Such skills are not acquired on day one; progression to this level is quite slow, with one skill building on the other with the ultimate goal that the child can survive an aquatic emergency.
Another statement I often hear is, "It is difficult to see my baby cry." Some children do cry in such an unfamiliar situation. Likewise, many children are also unhappy when required to sit in a car seat. Our job is to keep our children safe from dangers we know they face, even if it is uncomfortable at times.
Why isn't ISR more widely available?
The ISR instructor training program is expensive and time-intensive. Additionally, giving lessons has been challenging due to limited pool options. Unfortunately, due to a lack of education and awareness, many homeowners associations across Texas are shutting down backyard swim lessons. Because I'm passionate about drowning prevention, I've made it my mission to advocate at the state level for change to break down barriers to accessing survival swim lessons in Texas.
DrippingSpringsISR.com
"May is National Water Safety Awareness Month. Statistically, if a child doesn't make it to kindergarten, the most likely reason is a fatal drowning."