Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages one to four years old. One local program is working to reduce that number by teaching your kids water survival skills before they can even walk or talk.
“Your instinct is to just dive in and save them, but the whole point of this is for her to learn to save herself first,” says Maria Reid, who has her 11-month-old daughter, Adalynn, involved in the program.
The program is called Infant Swimming Resource, otherwise known as ISR.
“We teach babies and small children from about six months up to six years the skills that they would need to survive should they ever find themselves alone in the water,” says Kristin Proctor, the only certified ISR instructor in the area. “I’m the only instructor within 275 miles.”
The Monday through Friday program offers 10-minute classes with one-on-one instruction. They last anywhere from four to six weeks.
“She first learned to float and then she learned to roll over, from like falling in. Then she had a heavy diaper, so it kind of weighed her down, and now she’s doing winter clothes, so if she were to fall in a lake or a pool in the winter fully dressed, she would be prepared,” says Reid.
For Reid, it’s a huge piece of mind to know that Adalynn is learning these valuable skills. She says it’s a great program for her daughter, and she is very proud of her.
“I’m so blessed to have this program and what she’s learned. As she continues to grow, she’ll learn more things to help save herself and to swim and be confident in the water,” Reid says.
Many of the kids are doing this program before they can talk, so crying becomes the only way to voice how they feel.
“Kristin will never discourage them not to cry, because if Adalynn were to fall in a pool or a lake or somewhere, she would have to cry out. Eventually when she gets older, she’ll learn to enjoy the pool,” Reid says.
Proctor does all the lessons out of her private pool at her home. She has taught over 350 kids in the last three years. She says she treats every child like her own kid, and takes their lives very seriously.
“It is the coolest thing ever…the first time you see them float on their own, the first time you see them roll back on their own, any of that stuff,” Proctor says. “My parents will see me jumping up and down in the pool, high-fiving the kids. It’s the most amazing thing! You cry and you cry a lot, because it doesn’t get an cooler than that,” she adds.
Once the initial four to six week program is over, Proctor gives them refresher courses here and there until they turn six years old. These are to reinforce their floating skills. She also teaches children with special needs the same skills.
“We teach kiddos that are partially paralyzed, have down syndrome or autism, and more. Those are probably some of the most amazing lessons I see,” Proctor says.
The program costs $90 per week, and the average time frame for most kids to learn all the skills is 6 weeks. To find even more information about the program, check out http://www.isrlubbock.com
If you’re interested in signing your child up, email Kristin Proctor at k.proctor@infantswim.com
