I Can Float...YEAH!

Brooks had his last 'learning' day at ISR, infant swim resource (survival swim class). He has been taking classes everyday, Monday - Friday for the last six weeks and he is finally graduating. Mom is happy to not have to drive to Dallas everyday!

So, yesterday he did his lesson in summer clothes; however, today he was in three layers of winter clothes on top, a pair of jeans, socks, shoes and a hat. Most of the time when a child falls in and drowns he / she is not in a swimsuit; therefore, they need to learn how to float in any weather. It took a couple of minutes to get used to the heavy clothing but he did an awesome job. Tomorrow is our last day. I will get in the water with Brooks and the instructor to learn how to keep up the skills he has learned. We will practice the rollback float first thing when we get in any pool and it will be the last thing we do before we get out.

She has been using a leaf during lessons to place over his face to teach him how to move it if he is floating. Today she used his hat and this was a bit harder. He wouldn't use his hands to move it so he kept dunking his head under water hoping it would float away. He finally figured it out before the lesson ended.

When she submerges him under water, she is simulated a fall both feet first and head first. Kids have 14 seconds of under water submersion before it can cause them to drown, but in ISR they teach them to float to the top within 7 seconds. This way they have 7 seconds additional if they need it.

It is really amazing how much Brooks has learned in this class. Some find it hard to watch. I, however, find it incredible that a child this young can learn how to survive a fall into deep or shallow water. Yes, he cried and didn't like it but he still loves the water when I take him in the pool and I feel much more comfortable about both my parents and my in-laws having a pool. I think every parent should look into this type of class for their child. It only takes a split second and a few inches of water or mud for a child to drown. If you are interested in seeing if there is an ISR instructor in your area, you can log onto www.infantswim.com.

WAY TO GO BROOKSIE!!!