In a state where drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children under 5, New York has taken a monumental step forward in the fight against childhood drowning. The signing of Senate Bill S3608A into law marks a pivotal moment in water safety education. As an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) swim school dedicated to preventing such tragedies, we’re here to break down what this means for parents across the state and why ISR techniques are more crucial than ever.
The Silent Killer: Drowning Statistics
Drowning is a silent killer that claims nearly 1,000 children’s lives under the age of 14 each year in the United States. It’s the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4, with toddlers at the highest risk. These sobering statistics underscore the critical importance of drowning prevention education and effective survival swimming skills for all children.
New York’s Legislative Response
The groundbreaking legislation, which took effect in 2023, requires hospitals and birthing centers to offer new parents a video presentation on the dangers of drowning for infants and young children. This state-approved video is shown before discharge, focusing on educating parents about drowning risks and providing practical prevention tips.
Key Takeaways from the Mandatory Video
Parents can expect to learn about:
- Constant supervision: Never leave a child unattended near water, even for a moment. Designate a “water watcher” during gatherings.
- Barriers: Install proper fencing, gates, and locks around home pools and hot tubs. Secure bathrooms with closed toilet lids and door locks.
- Water safety skills: Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons to develop essential water safety and survival skills.
While these points are crucial, we believe that ISR techniques provide an additional, vital layer of protection for infants and young children.
Beyond the Video: The ISR Advantage
As an ISR swim school, we offer a proven method that goes beyond traditional swim lessons. ISR, or Infant Swimming Resource, is a comprehensive drowning prevention program that teaches infants and young children to survive in the water. Here’s why ISR is so effective:
- Age-appropriate techniques: ISR lessons can start as early as 6 months old, teaching babies to roll onto their backs and float.
- Survival skills focus: Children learn to swim-float-swim, giving them the ability to save themselves in a water emergency.
- Short, frequent lessons: ISR uses brief, daily lessons to build muscle memory and confidence in the water.
- Customized approach: Each lesson is tailored to the individual child’s needs and developmental stage.
“After completing ISR lessons, my 18-month-old daughter can now float on her back and swim short distances to safety. It’s an incredible relief as a parent,” says Sarah, a local mother.
The Role of ISR in Drowning Prevention
While the state-mandated video is an excellent starting point, we strongly believe that hands-on water survival skills are essential. ISR techniques have been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of drowning in infants and young children.
At our ISR swim school, we’re committed to providing top-notch instruction that not only aligns with the objectives of New York’s new law but goes above and beyond in ensuring children’s safety in the water. Our certified ISR instructors teach children to:
- Roll onto their backs and float independently
- Swim-Float-Swim to reach safety
- Remain calm and use effective survival techniques in water
We also offer free water safety resources for parents, including educational materials and seminars, to complement the information provided in the hospital video and reinforce ISR principles at home.
Call to Action: Embrace ISR for Comprehensive Water Safety
We strongly encourage all parents, especially those with infants and young children, to take advantage of the resources provided under this new law and to prioritize comprehensive water safety education for their families. ISR lessons provide an unparalleled level of protection and confidence in the water.
If you’re a new parent, or know someone who is, please share this post and help spread the word about the importance of drowning prevention education and ISR techniques. For more information on our ISR lessons and water safety programs, visit our website or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Together, we can make a difference and keep our children safe around water, using the power of ISR techniques combined with New York’s new educational initiatives.
