Self-Rescue Skills. Confidence in the Water. Support Every Step of the Way.

Private, one-on-one ISR Self-Rescue® lessons for infants and young children in the Deerfield/Riverwoods area.

Through individualized instruction, children build developmentally appropriate swimming and Self-Rescue skills while parents gain another important layer of protection for their family.

Self-Rescue Lessons at a Glance

10-Minute Private Lessons | 4 Days Per Week | Tuesday–Friday | Mornings Only | Approximately 5–7 Weeks

Every child is different. Lessons are individualized based on your child’s age, development, abilities, previous experience, and progress.

LEARN ABOUT LESSONS

More Than Just Learning to Swim

Water can be an incredible source of fun, confidence, and connection for children—but it also deserves respect.

ISR Self-Rescue® instruction helps children develop age- and developmentally appropriate skills they can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water.

Younger children generally work toward learning to independently roll onto their back, float, rest, and breathe.

Older, more mobile children generally work toward a Swim-Float-Swim sequence—swimming independently, transitioning onto their back to rest and breathe, and then returning to swimming.

These skills are one important layer of water safety and never replace active adult supervision, barriers, appropriate life jackets, or other layers of protection.

LEARN ABOUT ISR

Meet Coach Jamie

Hi, I’m Jamie!

I’m a Certified ISR Instructor, Aquatic Behavioral Specialist, and—before either of those things—an ISR parent myself.

My daughter began ISR as an infant, and watching her develop independent skills in the water completely changed the direction of my life.

I eventually traded my corporate career for a wetsuit and created Safe Swim, LLC. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with more than 1,000 children and families.

I know what it feels like to be the parent sitting poolside. I also know that no two children learn exactly the same way.

That perspective shapes everything I do at Safe Swim: individualized instruction, support for the whole child, and communication with the family throughout the process.

Confidence Through Competence

Some children come to me fearless around water. Others are cautious. Some have previous swim experience, while others are starting from the very beginning.

There is no single type of child who succeeds in Self-Rescue lessons.

We meet your child where they are, build skills progressively, and allow confidence to grow from what they discover they are capable of doing.

We build confidence through competence.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started with Safe Swim is simple.

1. Learn

Explore Self-Rescue lessons and review the FAQs to make sure the program and schedule are a good fit for your family.

2. Join

Join the Safe Swim waitlist to receive current program pricing, upcoming session dates, and available lesson times.

Joining the waitlist doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wait! If a current session and lesson time work for your family, you’ll have the opportunity to reserve it.

3. Reserve

Choose an available session and lesson time that works for your family and complete the required deposit to secure your child’s spot.

4. Swim!

Before your session begins, you’ll complete ISR Registration and receive a personalized Safe Swim Welcome Email with everything you need to prepare.

Then I’ll see you poolside!

One Skill. One Lesson. One Layer at a Time.

No single precaution can prevent every water emergency, and no child is ever drown-proof.

Self-Rescue skills are one part of a comprehensive approach to water safety that also includes active supervision, physical barriers, locks and alarms, appropriate life jackets, and prepared caregivers.

Our goal is to give your child another layer of skill while giving you the education and support to build the other layers around them.

EXPLORE THE 5 LAYERS OF PROTECTION

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If the 10-minute, Tuesday–Friday morning schedule works for your family, join the Safe Swim waitlist to receive current pricing, upcoming session dates, and available lesson times.

There may already be an opening that works for you!