A large part of the draw to ISR is our safety protocols in regards to your child's health.  There are protocols for both In-Water and Out-of-water as it pertains to your instructor and how you as a parent can monitor your child for potential illnesses and allow the appropriate recovery times. No child learns when they are sick, so we want to set them up for success.  The registration fee paid to ISR covers all the reviews and clearance by the RET team.  

IN LESSONS

BUDS QUESTIONNAIRE— Every day you will be asked to answer several questions pertaining to your child’s health. Click here to review the BUDS questionnaire. You will bring up any deviations from your child’s normal eating, sleeping, or urine/bowel output to your instructor.

THREE TOWEL RULE— Your child will be required to bring THREE TOWELS to every class ( 4 for two students, 5 for three…). The bottom towel will be laid on the ground to create a protective barrier from bacteria on the pool deck. The second towel will be laid down on top of the barrier towel for absorption. The final towel will be laid on top of your child to dry off while they rest and recover.

LEFT SIDED RECOVERY— all children will be laid out on their LEFT SIDE to their towels. These kids work hard in the ten minutes we have together. By placing them on their left side, they are able to safely release any air built up in their tummies without any risk of vagal nerve stimulation. This is similar to the recommendation for pregnant moms to rest on their left sides.

VC CHECKS— You will notice your instructor “poking” your child’s hand, foot, or back through out their lesson as they watch for the bodies color to re-pigment. They are monitoring for temperature fatigue. If a child starts deviating from their baseline, your instructor may end the lesson early as your child is beginning to show they are cold and/or tired.

BURPING—Air builds up in your child’s tummy as they are holding their breath for each submersion, especially if they are crying. Your instructor will be taking breaks to feel the sides of each child’s tummy and to release any air. If an instructor cannot get a proper burp out, they may end the lesson early.

7 SECOND RULE—No child will ever be submerged longer than seven seconds. The first week or so, your instructor will be working on building your child’s breath tolerance up to 4 seconds. We teach children to turn for air every 4 seconds (1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi…), but will intervene in 7 seconds. Even outside of lessons, no parent should ever let a young child stay submerged beyond 7 seconds.

Double Swim Diapers for Kids NOT Reliably Toilet Trained— In an effort to contain any bowel accidents, 2 swim diapers are required daily, one being a Happy Nappy (neoprene) style diaper. Accidents will close the entire pool and could result in the cancellation of lessons for up to 75 kids that day. The outer swim diaper must be a Happy Nappy style diaper. The inner layer can be your choice of reusable or disposable. A picture and link to Amazon is shown for reference. Please secure one if your child is not reliably potty-trained. Feel free to purchase one from anywhere, the picture will take you to amazon for your convenience. The “Bathing Suit” option does not work.

AT HOME

Utilizing the daily BUDS questions for guidance, please reach out to your instructor if you feel anything would be answered abnormally on the questionnaire PRIOR to your lessons in the case that your instructor feels its best to rest that day.

EATING RESTRICTIONS—Your child should refrain from consuming any dairy within 2 hours of your lesson time. Please, no other eating within 90 minutes of lessons. Heavy dairy or fruit based meals should be avoided in the meal prior as they build up a lot of gas in the child’s tummy—especially avoid banana, apple and strawberry products in that meal prior.

TEETHING MEDICATIONS— should be administered 45 min before your child’s lesson time.

ILLNESSES AND COMMON PROTOCOLS

Fever: A fever is defined at 100 degrees and higher.  Your child must be fever free for 48 hours before returning.

Vomiting/Diarrhea: Your child must be free of either for 48 hours before returning. NO MLU needed if up to 2 classes are missed.  Every time they have an incident, the clock resets.

Vaccinations:  If your child receives a vaccination, including a flu shot, there will be differing protocols depending on age that has the child sit out for 12 to 24 hours.  Please let your instructor know if you anticipate vaccinations.

Rash: Any rash (excluding documented Eczema) needs a doctor's diagnosis to return to lessons.

Other diagnosis: If your child goes to the doctor for ANY reason other than a wellness visit, an MLU must be completed. We have a vast array of protocols that cover just about anything a child can acquire health-wise. Please contact your instructor and they will tell you how to proceed. (examples: pink eye, RSV, strep, HFM…)