Children are curious, capable, and have an uncanny ability to overcome obstacles like pool fences."
—JoAnn Barnett, ISR SMI, President & CEO of Infant Swimming Resource
Your Investment
Protect Their Future, Empower Their Potential
On Long Island, water is central to our lifestyle, making self-rescue skills an essential investment in your child’s safety. With drowning remaining the leading cause of accidental death for children under four, ISR lessons provide a vital layer of protection when every second counts. At North Shore ISR, we give infants and toddlers the necessary tools to save themselves if all other barriers break down—but the impact goes far beyond the water's edge.
Our students develop exceptional confidence and problem-solving abilities that translate into every area of their lives. By mastering these skills early, they become resilient individuals who are more willing to try new things and tackle new challenges. The foundation we build here leads to a lifetime of success.
What to Expect
ISR was founded in 1966 by Dr. Harvey Barnett, who saw firsthand the devastating impact of childhood drownings. Determined to make a difference, he developed the ISR Self-Rescue® method—an approach that teaches infants as young as six months old how to float, breathe, and stay safe in the water.
Unlike traditional swim lessons that focus on water familiarity, ISR lessons are based on:
Scientific principles of sensorimotor learning to help infants and young children develop real self-rescue skills
A highly individualized approach where each child progresses at their own pace
Proven survival techniques that allow children to roll onto their back, float, and breathe until help arrives
ISR’s unique results are achieved through fully customized, safe and effective, one-on-one lessons with only your child and the Instructor in the water. What your child will learn, and the way he or she will learn it, is what makes ISR so different from traditional swimming lessons. Always putting safety first, ISR emphasizes competence, which leads to confidence, and provides the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment in and around the water.
Many programs for young children focus water comfort and play until kids are “old enough” for strokes. Comfort is great—but comfort without skill can create false confidence. It is essential to validate an instructor’s training to ensure the lessons are both effective and safe. Many people claim to offer Self-Rescue skills, but if they don’t have specialized training for Self-Rescue, you never know what you’re getting. You’ll also see instructors mentioning that they are licensed and insured. Remember that getting a business license and insurance are very different than getting a skills certification.
ISR Self-Rescue™ lessons prioritize survival swimming skills, so your child is working toward the ability to:
Move through the water independently
Roll back to a float to rest and breathe
Repeat the sequence to maintain breathing and direction toward safety
Bottom line: We’re building a safer foundation first—then recreational swimming and traditional strokes can follow more naturally.
Learn more about Infant Swimming Resource here.
What lessons are right for my child?
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All students, even those as young as 6 months old, learn the fundamental ISR skill of rolling onto their backs to float, rest, and breathe. Infants and toddlers who are not yet walking well will learn to maintain this position until help can reach them, and it's just as important for our older students as they incorporate more swimming skills.
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As toddlers and young children gain more physical skills on land, they are ready to learn more skills in the water as well. ISR teaches children to swim a short distance, rotate onto their back to a floating position, and then turn over to continue the sequence of swimming and floating until they can reach safety at the steps, side of the pool, or shoreline.
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For children who have already completed ISR and have not participated in maintenance. Great for children who have had growth spurts or spent considerable time out of the water.
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Maintenance lessons are one-off lessons available on a drop-in basis, designed to keep your child’s skills sharp and up-to-date. After completing the Self-Rescue series, your instructor will recommend a frequency of maintenance lessons based on your child’s individual needs and skill level.
Maintenance lessons are a great way to ensure that your child doesn’t lose their Self-Rescue skills as they grow, and they’re tailored to keep your child ready for any water emergency.
Lesson Pricing
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ISR Registration - $105.00 per child
This is a one time required fee that goes directly to ISR and our pediatric nursing team that reviews your child’s medical records and developmental history.
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$350.00 due at sign up
Deposits are refundable or transferable only if lessons are cancelled up to 3 weeks in advance of your target start date. If lessons are cancelled later than 3 weeks deposits will not be refunded.
Payment can be made online via Credit Card or in person via check
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ISR Self Rescue 6 - 7 weeks
Float to Swim 6 - 7 weeks
Refresher 2 - 3 weeks
All lessons are Monday through Friday, 10 minutes a day, rain or shine.
Maintenance as needed
Lessons must have been completed in the past 3 months to participate in Maintenance
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Gift Link - after scheduling you will receive a gift link to your child’s portal. Share this link with family and friends to contribute towards lessons. Perfect gift for birthday or holidays!
Health Care / First Responders Discount / Public School Teachers - at North Shore ISR we offer 15% off lessons for all qualifying personnel. Must be verified with IDme or current badge (email with any questions about application)
Sibling Discount - All siblings will receive 10% off the second and third child that signs up for lessons during the same session.