Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) began in 1966 with Harvey Barnett, who was 18 years old and working as a lifeguard. According to ISR’s historical account, Barnett witnessed the aftermath of a neighbor’s young child drowning. The tragedy motivated him to find a way to teach very young children how to respond if they reached the water alone.
Barnett began working individually with infants and young children, studying how they reacted to different teaching methods and forms of communication—even before they were old enough to understand verbal instructions. His work drew heavily from behavioral science, using repetition, reinforcement, and lessons adapted to each child’s developmental abilities. These early efforts eventually became the structured ISR Self-Rescue® program.
History Behind ISR
At ISR, your child’s safety is our first priority. Each lesson is uniquely tailored to your child’s needs based on comprehensive assessment and continual monitoring of your child’s health and skill attainment. Because every child learns at his or her own pace, your child will be gently guided through each skill level.
ISR has safely delivered over 15 million effective lessons teaching water self-rescue skills to infants and children (6months to 6 years old) and has educated parents and medical experts nationwide on water safety techniques and proven instruction methods.
Safety First
Why Parent Choose ISR!
- Survival is the primary focus.
- Individualized instruction.
- Short, daily lessons.
- Instructors receive specialized training.
- Skills are built progressively.
- Confidence through competence.
Why ISR?
ISR IS THE MOST EDUCATIONAL AND EFFECTIVE SURVIVAL SWIMMING INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AVAILABLE.
Your child is not the only one who will learn during lessons. Infant Swimming Resource’s program includes comprehensive parent education on aquatic safety and drowning prevention. For more information on keeping your family safe in and around the water read tips on ISR’s Family Aquatic Safety List.
Parent Education
ISR Non-Discrimination Policy
ISR complies with all federal and state laws and regulations and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, or disability. It is the policy of ISR to provide reasonable accommodations to its disabled applicants and students, with the provision of appropriate documentation of the need for the accommodation.