FAQ

Location and Schedule

  • I am proud to teach in the following locations:

    Georgetown, TX

    Dripping Springs, TX
    - Caliterra
    - Belterra
    - Headwaters

    Westlake, TX

    Interested in lessons in your area? Contact me to learn about the incentives of hosting lessons at your home.

  • Yes! Contact me to learn about the incentives of hosting lessons at your home.

  • Lessons are 10 minutes per day, five days a week (Monday through Friday), for approximately six weeks. Consistency is critical, so daily attendance is necessary for optimal progress.

  • I offer swim lessons at varying times throughout the day. To see specific times by location, visit the Lessons page.

  • ISR Self-Rescue skills are sensorimotor skills, much like walking or riding a bike—they don’t simply disappear, though they can get rusty without practice. I recommend refresher or maintenance lessons to keep skills sharp, especially as children grow. Learning in the "off-season" can prepare your child for water safety before summer.

Lesson Structure

  • No, all lessons are one-on-one to ensure personalized instruction and safety.

  • Parents don’t typically need to be in the water. However, I recommend joining a lesson or two toward the end of the session to learn how to support your child’s skills during water play.

  • Yes! All students must complete a medical history review conducted by ISR’s nursing team. They provide tailored protocols to address individual needs, ensuring a safe and customized learning experience.

  • Short answer: no.

    In September 2018, the American College of Emergency Physicians declared that terminology such as “dry drowning,” “wet drowning,” “near drowning,” “secondary drowning,” and “delayed drowning,” should no longer be used. 

    There are three medically recognized types of drowning: (1) fatal, (2) nonfatal with injuries, and (3) nonfatal without injuries. 

    Unfortunately the outdated terms are continuously sensationalized and used by the media. 

    Drowning does not happen days to a week after being in water. There are no medically accepted conditions known as ‘near-drowning,’ ‘dry drowning’ and ‘secondary drowning.'

    As for the concern about inhaling water during swimming: There are 2 tubes– esophagus which goes to the stomach and the trachea which goes to the lungs. If water is swallowed it goes to the stomach & is absorbed or peed out. The epiglottis naturally blocks water from going into the lungs. A child would have to have to be unconscious or the epiglottis would have to be jarred in some way for it not to function properly. If a child inhales some water while playing in the bath or gets dunked in the pool during water tag, there’s no need to worry.

    Here are some reputable sources to check out:

Pricing

  • Registration & Medical Review

    • Initial ISR registration fee: $105 (non-refundable)

    • Annual renewal fee: $40

    • Medical background check must be approved before lessons begin

    • Registration link provided 30 days before lesson start date

    New Student Program

    • 6-week comprehensive Rollback-to-Float or Swim-Float-Swim sequence

    • Total investment: $810

    • Deposit: $405 (nonrefundable, required to secure time slot)

    • Final payment: $405 (due one week before start date)

    • All deposits are non-refundable

    Private Home Lessons

    • Available on limited basis

    • 6-week program: $2,100 per child

    • 3-week refresher: $1,050 per child

    • Full payment required at scheduling

    • All fees non-refundable

    • Contact directly for scheduling and availability

    Refresher Courses

    • Available for graduates of 6-week ISR program

    • Duration: 3 weeks

    • Investment: $405 per child

    • Full payment required to secure time slot

    • Pro-rated credit available for early completion

  • The ISR program offers distinct advantages that set it apart from traditional swim programs:

    I teach genuine swimming and survival skills with measurable outcomes. Many parents come to me after trying traditional programs where their children haven't developed practical skills despite months or years of lessons.

    ISR skills are lasting. Unlike traditional programs that require repeated enrollment every summer, your child learns fundamental skills that stay with them. With periodic maintenance and refresher lessons, these skills remain strong throughout their development.

    My ISR certification represents extensive professional training. This includes:

    • 8 weeks of intensive, hands-on instruction

    • 60+ hours working directly with students under master instructor supervision

    • Comprehensive academic training in:

      • Child development and psychology

      • Anatomy and physiology

      • Sensorimotor learning

      • Aquatic safety principles

    • Current CPR and First Aid certifications

    • Annual recertification to maintain the highest standards

    When you consider the long-term investment, ISR often proves more cost-effective than traditional swim programs. Instead of paying for lessons summer after summer with limited results, you're investing in a guaranteed set of life-saving skills within 6-8 weeks that last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

  • Outside resources for need-based financial scholarships are available upon request.

  • Short answer: no.

    In September 2018, the American College of Emergency Physicians declared that terminology such as “dry drowning,” “wet drowning,” “near drowning,” “secondary drowning,” and “delayed drowning,” should no longer be used. 

    There are three medically recognized types of drowning: (1) fatal, (2) nonfatal with injuries, and (3) nonfatal without injuries. 

    Unfortunately the outdated terms are continuously sensationalized and used by the media. 

    Drowning does not happen days to a week after being in water. There are no medically accepted conditions known as ‘near-drowning,’ ‘dry drowning’ and ‘secondary drowning.'

    As for the concern about inhaling water during swimming: There are 2 tubes– esophagus which goes to the stomach and the trachea which goes to the lungs. If water is swallowed it goes to the stomach & is absorbed or peed out. The epiglottis naturally blocks water from going into the lungs. A child would have to have to be unconscious or the epiglottis would have to be jarred in some way for it not to function properly. If a child inhales some water while playing in the bath or gets dunked in the pool during water tag, there’s no need to worry.

    Here are some reputable sources to check out:

Age and Experience

  • Children as young as six months (who can sit upright independently) are eligible. Starting earlier ensures your child is safer sooner.

  • There is an important difference between fear and apprehension because you are not yet skilled in a new environment. Like going to a new school or beginning a new activity, it's normal to see some tears or hear some protesting during the first few ISR lessons. I am new to your child, and this is a new activity—so it's all to be expected.

    The best thing you can do for your child is to approach lessons like you do the car seat. Sometimes kids hate the car seat—they scream and pitch a complete fit about going in it! But we don't apologize to them or feel bad that they are crying about it because we know with absolute certainty it is what's best for them to keep them safe.

    ISR is the same way—these are life skills that they will use and are proof of your commitment to their safety and wellbeing as their parents. If parents are super emotional that first week because their children are adjusting to lessons, the children can feel that! The more relaxed and at ease you are, the faster they will adapt to this new environment. For more information, see ISR's Crying Protocol.

    Remember, fear is a learned behavior. We didn't come out of the womb afraid of spiders or water or large dogs. When someone has a negative experience that involves the fearful object or experience, fear is developed. Your child will only truly be fearful of the water if he or she has witnessed or experienced a traumatic aquatic event.

  • Yes! Many children have come to me after having experienced other programs and mastered the skills.

Subsequent Lessons

  • Follow-up lessons depend on your child’s age and progress:

    • Under 2 years old: Likely to need a second session to learn "big kid" skills like Swim Float Swim.

    All Students

    • Maintenance Lessons: Suggested monthly to keep skills sharp.

    • Refresher Lessons: Recommended every 3–6 months for skill retention.

  • Once your child has mastered the Swim Float Swim sequence and can perform it for 12 yards, I can teach them strokes.

Enrollment

  • If you’re ready to sign up, you can secure your time slot here.