Jamie Gephart ISR Self-Rescue

May is almost here, and with warmer weather, families are heading to the water. As an ISR instructor and lifeguard, I know the signs of drowning, but it's crucial for parents to learn too. Sharing this article is a small step in keeping our loved ones safe. Let's equip our children with vital skills like floating and self-rescue. It could save a life.

Many kids will drown right in front of their parents, because drowning doesn’t look like what you think it does.

Do YOU know what it looks like?

It’s not what you see on TV. TV dramatizes it to keep you in suspense and make you keep watching.

This is what drowning REALLY looks like:

1) It’s SILENT. No splashes. No screams. They are trying to breathe and can’t make noises.

2) It’s FAST! It takes 20-60 seconds.

3) There is no jumping out of the water or arms flailing around. It happens almost entirely under water.

4) Their head will be arched up, attempting to reach the surface to breathe. They may bob up and down just at the surface for a little while and this can look like doggy paddling/playing.

5) Under the water, they are in a vertical, up and down position and their arms and legs are cycling as if they are trying to climb a ladder.

6) They can’t move forward much, if at all….not enough to get to safety.

7) They can be right next to the wall or an exit and still not be able to reach it…and they will drown inches away from safety.

8 ) They can be in water shallow enough for them to stand in but not realize they can simply stand up, as they are in panic mode.

Learn to spot drowning. You just might save a little life!!

Oh the one. The mischievous one. The one with no fear. The one who gives mom and dad gray hair! 👵🏽😵‍💫So many of us know and love one of these babes who keeps their caregivers on their toes! So what to do when it comes to water? Harness that curiosity and incredible ability they have by enrolling them in ISR, where they can learn independent skills that keep their “thrills” safer 💪👏 And even if you DON’T have a child at home who jumps into things with two feet, your more cautious babe deserves to see what they are capable of too ❤️ Visit www.infantswim.com to learn more and find an ISR instructor near you 🥰 #isr #swimming #toddlerlife #babiesofinstagram #mom

First day back and already I’m getting spoiled by my sweet swim families! 🥰🥰🥰

The ISR instructor who originally posted this said it best…”I know it’s hard to comprehend how a child this young could end up in the water alone, and yet drowning is the biggest threat to this baby’s life. Above any other accidents including cars or guns, drowning is the leading cause of death in ages 1-4. 2nd leading cause of death over 4. It happens far too often. What would your child do if they found themselves in the water?” Thankfully drowning IS preventable with layers of protection- arms reach supervision, barriers, skills, and knowledge of CPR. Visit www.infantswim.com to learn more and to find a Certified instructor near you. And a special thank you to ISR Lisa Balser the beautiful words and our entire team for fighting the good fight against drowning every day ❤️

At ISR every lesson is one-on-one and customized for your individual child 👶👧🧒👦 Our short, daily lessons are conducive to the way young children learn and help us keep your little one safe while learning 🥰 From the very first week, you will notice that your child’s instructor builds on tiny accomplishments of the previous days’ lesson. And right before your eyes...competence will lead to confidence...voila! ✨ Learn more at www.infantswim.com 💦💙🐠

What swim instructors wish you would do to prepare your kids for lessons:

Get your kids used to having water on their faces-including their ears.

Use one-on-one touch supervision in the water instead of flotation devices. Avoid puddle jumpers at all costs.

Teach your kids to ask before getting into the water.

Don’t allow them to blow bubbles in the bathtub.

Don’t let them drink bath water.

Don’t tell older kids they are doing this so they don’t drown. They don’t know what that means but they do sense it’s negative and then they form a negative association with lessons.

Don’t let your child lay on their back or “swim” in the bathtub. Bath time is not practice time!

Get your child excited about starting lessons. Frame it positively with them. Watch positive videos and read positive books.

🤯Exciting news, I’m offering a SATURDAY morning stroke session this fall!! 🍂🏊‍♀️🏊🏻‍♂️ Only a few spots remaining.
👉🏻 https://www.webaccomplice.app/scheduler_app/lesson_types/swimgymlwr2/0//0