Infant Swim Program Aims to Save Lives

The Houston area is on pace to match or surpass the record number of child drownings we saw last year.

In 2009, there have already been 15 child drownings, according to Child Protective Services which tracks the numbers.

Last year's total of 31 was the most child welfare advocates have seen since they started keeping track.

There's never a substitute for a set of adult eyes and ears, but parents often don't realize their children are capable of learning survival skills in the water at a very young age. Instructors with the Infant Swimming Resource Program, or ISR, are dedicated to preventing infant drowning.

Certified instructors teach self rescue to children as young as six months old.

"They learn to hold their breath underwater and roll back to their back and float unassisted until help arrives," said Kimberly Willingham, ISR certified instructor.

Many of Willingham's students aren't old enough to talk and have just learned to walk, so it's not surprising their parents are amazed when they see what they're learning.

"They learn through reinforcement. You're reinforcing the things you want to see accomplished through that child," said Willingham.

Children older than 12 months learn a swim/float sequence until reaching the side.

ISR prides itself on having a 100% survival rate and close to 800 known cases of children relying on the techniques to save their lives.

The program offers scholarships. ISR began in 1966 in Florida but has since become nationally recognized. There are about a dozen certified instructors in the Houston area.


-- Learn More About Infant Swim Program: http://infantswim.com/