Question 1

What is Infant Swim Rescue (ISR)?

Accepted Answer

ISR is a specialized swim instruction program designed to teach infants and young children survival swimming skills. It focuses on helping children, starting as young as 6 months, learn how to roll onto their backs and float independently if they fall into water.

Question 2

What age can swim lessons begin?

Accepted Answer

ISR lessons are available for children as young as 6 months old, provided they can sit up independently for at least one minute and are medically cleared. Children up to adults can benefit from this foundational form of swim instruction. It's never too late to learn.

We also offer stroke, snorkel, and endurance swim lessons. We customize lessons to meet the individual swimmer. All ages are welcome!

Question 3

How are survival swim lessons (ISR) different from traditional swim classes?

Accepted Answer

Unlike traditional swim classes that can focus on water play or basic stroke development, ISR emphasizes aquatic problem solving through survival skills, such as floating, self-rescue, and safe swimming techniques tailored to each child’s age and development.

Depending on age, our students learn to either roll back to float or the swim-float-swim sequence. Each aspect of instruction is designed to put safety at the forefront. We spend the last week of instruction practicing using our skills clothed. More than 80% of drownings happen during non-swim times and we want our students to know how use their survival skills while clothed.

Question 4

Who teaches the classes and are they certified?

Accepted Answer

Your instructor is Desireé Choy and she is certified through ISR’s extensive training program, which includes rigorous academic coursework, hands-on instruction, and continuing education.  She is also trained in infant CPR and first aid.

Fun fact: She was certified in Lisbon, Portugal, where her and her family spent two months while she completed her in water training!

In addition to her extensive training in ISR methods, she has over a decade of experience as an educator.  Her degree in Psychology and Education from UCLA and Masters of Education/Teaching Credential from UCSC built her foundation of knowledge.  Her first career with over a decade as a classroom teacher, social emotional and curriculum coordinator and administrator only further prepared her for the responsibility of teaching your loved ones life saving skills.

Question 5

What is the structure of lessons? What is the difference between the FULL/FLEX program?

Accepted Answer

Full Session: Lessons are just 10 minutes a day, five days a week (Monday through Friday), for 6-7 weeks on average. That might sound like a big commitment at first, but trust me—it’s absolutely worth it.

Young children learn best in short, focused sessions, and research supports that the first 10 minutes are the most productive for this age group. If you’ve ever watched a toddler, you know just how short their attention spans can be!

Daily, consistent lessons are essential for effective learning. These aren’t your average swim classes—we’re teaching your child life-saving skills. Because of the precision and structure involved, showing up every day really matters. If you’re unsure about being able to commit to the schedule, we recommend waiting to enroll until you’re confident you can.

Flex Session: Same life saving skills but with more flexibility.  Lessons are just 10 minutes a day, for 4 days a week. Children are skilled with 30 lessons on average depending on the child. * This may require more weeks at 4 days a week depending on the child.

Question 6

Is Survival Swim (ISR) safe for infants and toddlers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lessons can begin as young as 6 months of age.  The sooner, the safer. Drowning is the #1 cause of death in children  under 4 years old and is preventable.  The more layers of protection we have around water, the better.  ISR has taught research based survival swim lessons to over 8 million children with an impeccable safety record. The program is individualized to each child’s developmental abilities and includes daily health checks to ensure safety and readiness.  It is both safe for them to participate in lessons and also safer with the skills they learn from them.

Question 7

What should my child wear to lessons?

Accepted Answer

Children must wear 2 reusable swim diapers to maintain pool hygiene if they have not been potty trained for at least 6 months. You will receive more information upon registration.

If your child is over 6 years old with long hair, we kindly ask that they wear a swim cap or refrain from using hair products during their session in an effort to keep the water pristine for our little fish.

Question 8

Where are lessons held?

Accepted Answer

All lessons will take place at the ISR Monterey Swim Indoor Facility, unless specified otherwise. Address is 202 Calle Del Oaks, Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940. Lessons may be offered at other locations seasonally depending on weather and availability.

Question 9

I have a pool, how can I be a host pool?

Accepted Answer

Host Pools: 
 • If you are interested in hosting a session, there are perks
    • Free or discounted lessons for your kiddos
    • Preferred choice of timeslot(s) for the host family's children
    • Help with heating costs
    • A non-existent commute
    • Help meticulously caring for your pool
    • Hosting is also a great way to "do your part" ensuring not only your own children get skilled, but to help us reach more children in your very own community.

• Primary requirements: 
    • location easily accessible
    • A pool heated to 88 degrees (by a heater)
    • A set of shallow end steps or sun shelf, 
    • And preferably neighbors who won't mind a bit of "kid" noise.

• Email me if you or someone you know are interested in learning more and providing access to these Life-Saving Self-Rescue Skills to other families in your community!

Question 10

How much do ISR lessons cost?

Accepted Answer

ISR lessons typically cost  $250 per week per child.

We never want financial constraints to prevent you from getting you or your child life saving skills. We work with families to build payment plans. We also work with other non-profits that offer scholarships to those in financial need and have a limited number of partial scholarships that Rising Tide Swim offers annually.

Question 11

Why do ISR swim lessons seem so expensive?

Accepted Answer

ISR might seem more expensive up front, but your child gets daily, one-on-one lessons tailored to their needs. In just 6 weeks, most children can float and even swim independently—skills that could truly save their life.

Let’s say you pay $300 for 6 weeks of traditional swim lessons—30 minutes once a week, with 5 kids in the class. That breaks down to about 6 minutes of actual one-on-one time per lesson. So, you're really paying $50 per week for just a few minutes of focused instruction.

And by the end? There’s no guarantee your child can swim, and will likely be asked to sign up for another round.  This can take years to get your child fully water safe.  We prioritize getting your child water safe as quickly as possible because, the sooner, the safer.

Question 12

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

All lesson fees are non-refundable. If you need to cancel your session for any reason, your account will be credited and can be used for a future session.

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