FAQ

Location and Schedule

  • I teach lessons at USA Swim Academy, located at 4630 Royal Vista Cir, Windsor, CO 80528. The pool is indoor and heated, providing a comfortable environment year-round.

  • 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.

    Plan for up to eight weeks to accommodate unforeseen cancellations that may require makeup lessons.

  • Lessons typically run between 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM. I currently do not offer afternoon, evening, or weekend lessons.

  • 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.

  • Due to the number of students I serve, I’m unable to travel to client pools.

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    Unfortunately the outdated terms are continuously sensationalized and used by the media.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

  • There are two costs associated with ISR Self-Rescue lessons: Instructor fees and National ISR Registration fees.

    Instructor Fees

    • Full Session: $840 per 6-week session (50% non-refundable and non-transferable deposit required).

    • Refresher Lessons (returning ISR students only): $280 for two weeks (5 days per week).

    • Maintenance Lessons (returning ISR students only):  $25 per lesson or $115 for a 5-lesson package.

    Registration Fees

    A one-time $105 ISR registration fee (non-refundable) is also required and covers a medical background check. Registration updates are then $40 annually.

    Sibling discounts (10%) are available.

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

  • 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.

  • The success of ISR training relies heavily on consistent attendance. Here's my policy on missed lessons:

    Lesson Credits and Makeups:

    • Lessons are priced by session, not by individual lessons or weeks

    • Missed lessons due to family vacations or late starts cannot be made up or credited

    • Only lessons I cancel as the instructor will be eligible for makeup within 60 days

    Session Length Flexibility: While sessions typically run 6 weeks, the actual duration can vary based on your child's progress:

    • Some children master skills more quickly and may finish early

    • Others may need additional time to develop reliable skills

    • For excused absences (illness or extenuating circumstances), I will arrange additional time in a subsequent session with adjusted tuition

    • If your child completes their skills early, we can transition to a maintenance schedule before the 6-week mark

    I understand that life events happen, but consistent attendance is crucial for skill development. Please plan your schedule accordingly to maximize your child's learning experience.

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 experiences in other programs and master 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 Swim Float Swim and is ready, I can introduce basic strokes or recommend a local provider specializing in stroke lessons.

Enrollment

    1. Review the information on this website.

    2. Contact me for a reservation link or to join the waitlist.

    3. Select your time slot, complete the Poolside Agreement, and pay the 50% deposit.

    4. Complete ISR’s registration process (a link will be sent 4 weeks before lessons start).

    5. Pay the remaining balance on Day 1 of lessons.

  • When you secured your child’s spot in an upcoming session, a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit was required. This policy is clearly outlined during the digital enrollment process to ensure families are fully informed before committing to a session. Some sessions may also require an advance payment of the tuition balance, which follows the same terms.

    I understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. However, as a small business, I incur costs to reserve your child’s spot, and these policies allow me to continue providing high-quality lessons. Thank you for your understanding.

    If you need to make a change, here are your options:

    1. Adjusting Lesson Times Within the Same Session
      If the issue is your lesson time (not the session dates), you can inquire if there are other slots available in your current session. While many sessions book months in advance, there’s a possibility of a last-minute opening if your schedule is flexible. If a time change within your current session can be accommodated, your deposit will remain intact.

    2. Changing to a Different Session
      If the session dates or slot times cannot work and adjustments within the current session aren’t possible, you may forfeit your deposit and re-book for a new session during the next enrollment opportunity. A new deposit will be required to secure the new slot.

    If you have additional questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to help within the parameters of my policies.