Self Rescue Swim ISR Building water safety skills for young children.
Bakersifled 2026 is closed for new students.
2027 Bakersfield schedule opens in February.
Meet Your Instructor
Hi. I’m Lauren Ballock a Certified ISR Swim instructor.
I have lived in Bakersfield for over twenty years with my husband and our five children. I love camping, board games and watching my children find their way in this incredible world. Growing up in southern California gave me great exposure to the ocean, lakes and many pools, I love the water.
When we decided to add a pool to our yard, I knew my two boys at the time would have to know how to swim. The first winter after my boys had not been in the pool for about 6 months, our oldest fell into our pool. He was able to use the skills he gained during lessons to get to the side of the pool and climb out. He was just over three years old and that solidified my plans to ensure all of my children would know how to swim. I was extremely grateful for the private lessons we had given him and for the hours I spent reinforcing those skills. I remember thinking that it must be one of the best jobs, giving swimming skills to others so they can save themselves.
I am completing my third summer of teaching ISR and can't wait for the next season. I am truly honored that my families trust me with thier children, I am constantly amazed watching each student gain these incredible skills. I absolutely adore my time in the water with all my families, knowing that I am instilling water safety skills that can help save their life.
What is ISR?
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) is an internationally recognized system
of aquatic survival instruction for infants and young children. The program focuses on educating parents and children about aquatic survival and safety issues.
ISR is the product of 60 years of research and development by Dr. Harvey Barnett. More than 260,000 infants and young children have gone through our program with more than 8,000,000 safe and effective lessons and saved more than 800 lives.
ISR is the most educational and effective survival swimming instruction program available.
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) has been teaching children critical Self-Rescue skills — giving children the competence and confidence to safely enjoy the water. ISR’s technique teaches babies from 6 months to 6 years of age how to save themselves if they were to end up in the water alone.
What makes ISR instructors different?
ISR Instructors are the most highly trained and qualified instructors in any swimming program in the country and must undergo strict re-certification testing annually along with maintaining current CPR and First Aid certifications. Every ISR instructor undergoes 8 weeks of intense training. Hands on, in the pool with an ISR Master Instructor and ISR students, learning the ISR method for a minimum of 60 hours. In addition, we receive academic training in anatomy, physiology, child psychology, behavior and development, sensorimotor learning, and how each relates to the aquatic environment.
Designed for little learners
Children learn best through short, consistent lessons.
That's why ISR lessons are 1:1, at most 10 minutes a day, Monday through Friday. This proven schedule allows children to build confidence, develop muscle memory, and master life-saving skills without becoming overwhelmed.
Every lesson is customized to your child's developmental stage, personality, and individual progress, creating a safe and encouraging learning experience.
What your child will learn:
Children from 6 months old and independently sitting up for at least one minute to confidently walking usually (12-15 months) will learn how to hold their breath underwater, roll onto their back and float unassisted, giving them an opportunity to be rescued.
A child over 12 months and confidently walking will learn how to hold their breath underwater, swim with their eyes in the water and head down, roll onto their back to float, rest and breathe; then roll back over to resume swimming until they reach a safe place to get out of the water. This is called the ISR swim-float- swim sequence. All children will learn how to perform the skills in different types of clothes. Upon completion of the ISR program, your child will have the survival skills that will help them to be aquatic problem solvers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child be drown proof after completing ISR lessons?
ISR nor any other program can “drown-proof” your child as there’s no such things drown proof! ISR is not a substitution for supervision however it does give your child the skills to have the best fighting chance in the event that all other barriers (fence, locks, supervision) fail them to be an aquatic problem solver and self-rescue should they find themselves alone in the water.
How many days a week are lessons?
Lessons are attended 5 days a week (Monday-Friday), no lesson in the water is longer than 10 minutes and the avegare swimmer gains their skill set in about 6-8 weeks. The consistency of daily lessons is critical for learning efficiency. These are NOT traditional swim lessons! We are teaching highly specialized skills and it is very important to attend class every day. If you cannot commit to this schedule, you might not want to register until you are sure you can.
What if my child cries?
What if my child cries?
Some children cry the first few lessons due to anxiety. They are at a new pool they’ve probably never been to before, being handed into the water to a stranger – it’s normal for them to be wary of the situation! It’s important for us to teach your child to trust their instructor and eventually to trust the water. Many kids can’t wait to come to lessons by the end of the first week!
Fear is a learned behavior. We didn’t come out of the womb afraid of spiders, large dogs or water! When someone has a negative experience that involves the fearful object or experience, fear is developed. Your child will only truly be fearful of the water if he or she has witnessed or experienced a traumatic aquatic event or someone close to them has and has tied that emotion to the experience for the child.
Can children with special needs be taught self rescue skills?
YES! ISR is individualized to meet each student where they are and instruction is one on one. On rare occasions, there are some student’s with certain disabilities that may not be a good match for ISR lessons. However, each student’s online registration is reviewed by a member of our Registration Evaluation Team (RET) of medical professionals. Students may only begin lessons when (or if) their registration is cleared to begin by our RET team. We believe in offering the SAFEST lesson possible for each and every student so that may require some additional safety protocols, a note from a pediatrician or an extended wait period before approval.
ISR REGISTRATION FEE & SELF RESCUE SWIM PROGRAM FEE
Investing in your child's safety is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them.
- ALL ISR students must be cleared through the national ISR office PRIOR to starting their first in-water lesson. Registration forms must be filled out (2-3 weeks ahead of starting lessons, this will be emailed to you from Self Rescue Swim) and paid for online. This non-refundable fee of $105.00 goes directly to ISR (NOT the instructor). This registration fee covers a comprehensive medical background check that you complete online when you register your child. ISR's staff of nurses reviews all the information in full to ensure your child can safely participate in lessons. All registrations are kept strictly confidential. Registration updates ($40.00) will be needed at least once per calendar year.
- Self Rescue Swim ISR lesson fee is skill based. You are investing in your child learning the skills of a rollback to float or swim float swim. If all policies are being followed the program fee covers for your child to gain that particular skill.
- 2026 FULL
- 2027 Starts in April for returning ISR students
Session schedule opens in February for new students.
- Although lessons normally take between 6-8 weeks, some students may take a little longer. Lesson fees are paid in 2 installments, the 1st is due at sign up to secure your desired time, this is a non-refundable deposit. The next payment is due by Thursday of Week 2.
- Maintenance lesson (1 10-minute lesson) at Self Rescue Swim (lessons that are offered by us to students who have completed the ISR skills and come back for a skill “tune-up” the same season) $30.00 per lesson
- Refresher lessons (usually about 2-3 weeks) are offered to students who have completed the ISR skills AND had maintenance lessons the previous season who then come back to us to refresh their ISR skills the following season/next year.
- Travel lesson outside of Bakersfeild are limited and require at least 8 students.
Self Rescue Swim ISR Program fee is $1,200.00 per skill, with flexible payment plans available to make lessons more manageable. Need-based ISR scholarships are also available through several nonprofit organizations, and I'm happy to help families explore those opportunities.
ISR Gift Certificates are available and make a meaningful gift for birthdays, baby showers, holidays, or from grandparents and loved ones who want to invest in a child's lifelong water safety. If you have questions about tuition, payment options, or scholarships, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to help you find the option that works best for your family.