ISR
6 Months – 6 Years | Open to non-members
Survival swimming lessons for infants and young children.
Not one more child drowns
Proudly providing ISR lessons to the DE & PA communities.
While ISR doesn’t “waterproof” your little one, it certainly gives them an added layer of protection against a parent’s worst nightmare.
The goal of the ISR Self-Rescue® program for children under the age of twelve months is to teach the little ones how to roll over to their backs, breathe, and maintain a float until help arrives.
For older children ages 1-6, the ISR program teaches a swim-float-swim sequence. Toddlers and up are taught to swim when they hit the water, then float for air, then to turn to swim again. They learn to repeat the sequence until they reach a part of the pool from which they can pull themselves out of the water.
This incredible internationally-recognized program includes water safety education for both parents and the student and has saved more than 800 hundred lives.
Meet Our Instructors
Devon Wittenbach
ISR Master Instructor
Devon is well-versed in youth activity and swim instruction. She earned her Baccalaureate degree in Rec and Leisure Management with a minor in business from York College of PA. Since graduating, she’s devoted her time to serving the youth, facilitating a community youth center, working at an indoor sports arena, and teaching mommy and me swim classes at the YMCA in downtown DE. Devon’s been a devoted employee of HAC’s aquatics department since the beginning. She started here when the doors opened, working in both the office and the pools, teaching various beginner-level swim lessons. She jumped at the opportunity to become an ISR instructor in 2012 because she “just knew (she) had to do it.” As a mother, she would think about the dangers of being around a pool deck with her own kids and would find a solution that could save her and other kids’ lives. After ten years of instruction, Devon was promoted to a Master ISR Instructor, giving her the skills to train others to become ISR instructors as well. By furthering ISR’s mission of Not One More Child Drown, she hopes to “educate all families on drowning prevention and equip children of all ages and abilities with the skills to navigate any body of water.”
Judy Velazquez
ISR Instructor
Judith Velázquez-Alampi’s more than 50 years of martial arts, military, and police officer experience are what make her a highly motivating and dedicated trainer. She holds an array of exercise certifications, teaching or subbing for almost every group fitness class, including Les Mills, and even manages to find time to teach aqua fitness classes. Judy’s passion for aquatics started in 2014 when she began instructing AquaFit Zumba classes. From there, she transitioned to WATERinMOTION®, a new class introduced to the club in 2018. Her interest in ISR came in 2021 when rumors that they were looking to expand the team spread. Two years later, she now has the opportunity to teach children to save themselves, giving them the skills to maneuver to safety in the water. The natural progression from a career in aquatics fitness to a low-intensity instructional course working with children is what drew her to want to challenge herself with something new. She wants to be able to share her love for all things aquatics with parents and children to build a lifelong appreciation and respect for the water.
Kristin Ryan
ISR Instructor
Kristin earned her degree in health and PE from West Chester University of PA. Wanting to continue building her credentials, she later earned certifications in lifeguarding and fitness training. She has an extensive history working with kids. Outside of raising three of her own, Kristin has taught and coached softball, led swim lessons, and worked in childcare and summer camp right here at HAC. Kristin has always been a big supporter of water safety and the ISR program. As ISR kids, her children have grown to love the water. Knowing they have the skills to maneuver themselves to safety in the water is something that brings Kristin great comfort. As an ISR instructor herself, Kristin’s goal is to bring every parent this same level of comfort.
Class Structure
Students come to lessons 5 days a week, Monday – Friday. Each lesson will be no more than 10 minutes long with just one child in the water at a time. Lessons are individually tailored to meet your child’s developmental and physical abilities as well as meeting their emotional needs. Much is accomplished in a short but very intense private lesson. Your child will have the same 10-minute time slot each day. You can expect your child to complete his or her initial course within 6 weeks.
Learning Expectations
Age 6 months - 12 months
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learn to hold their breath underwater
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learn to roll onto their back
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learn to float unassisted, rest, and breathe until help arrives
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learn to perform ISR's Self-Rescue® skills first in a swim diaper and then while fully clothed.
Age 12 months - 6 years
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learn to hold their breath underwater
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learn to swim with their head down
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learn to roll onto their back and float, rest, and breathe
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learn to roll back over to resume swimming until they reach the side of the pool, crawl out or be rescued by an adult
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learn to perform the Self-Rescue® first in a swim diaper/bathing suit and then fully clothed.
Cost
$130 per week, $105 Enrollment Fee through ISR National*
*Limited Scholarships Available Each Year
Frequently Asked Questions
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Students attend lessons 5 days a week, Monday - Friday
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Each student takes an average of 6 weeks
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All lessons are 10 minutes or less
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Siblings can be scheduled back to back
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All lessons are taught at Hockessin Athletic Club, you do not need to be a member to take ISR classes