GRANDVILLE—
Nearly 4,000 children die each year in pools, ponds, lakes and rivers.Many say those accidental deaths are completely preventable, and one group is trying to change that, one life at a time.
The Infant Swim Resource group is a national group that teaches children ages 6 months to 6 years how to survive while swimming in water.
Michael Petrella is an ISR instructor, "We want the child to know how to manage the aquatic situation. So if they find they're way to the water, the first thing we want them to do is know they have to close their mouth, open their eyes and hold their breath."
Dr Harvey Barnett started the program back in 1966 after going through a personal tragedy involving a neighbor's child drowning.
To become certified in ISR instruction, there is a 7 week program to go through.
Petrella, "I thought, ok I'm just going to go learn how to be a swimming instructor. But I had to take classes on anatomy and physiology, child psychology, and behavioral sciences."
The group has been very successful in their completion rates. They say about 400 instructors have taught 180,000 students.
"We have a 100% safety rating and survival rate. Meaning not one child whose ever taken ISR lessons has ever drowned," Petrella added.
There are only three instructors in the state of Michigan and two of them are here on the west side of the state. Chad Pierce also instructs students in ISR training.
"We know of 780 students, former students who found their way to the water, got in the water and saved themselves."
Chris-Ann Martini, the mother of a seven month old boy named Rocco, enrolled her son in the classes because she needed peace of mind.
"He can escape and be around the corner in a heartbeat and I just don't want to be a grieving parent."
