LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS 11)--A video of a 6-month-old girl in Florida falling face-down into a swimming pool, flipping and floating is going viral this week. More than 1 million people have viewed the video, and many are sounding off about it. The child has been trained in Infant Swimming Resource - or ISR - training.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for toddlers ages 1 to 3. ISR instructors say training children how to swim at a young age can help prevent death by drowning. The technique has been used to train some 300,000 children in the past 45 years.
It may look scary to an onlooker, but parents will tell you the alternative is far more frightening.
"You just never know when something like that is going to happen," says Jennifer McDevitt, who has put all 3 of her children through ISR training. "Even with a really good swimmer, accidents happen."
No one knows that more than Terry Strong, or Mr. Terry, as his students call him.
A retired police officer, he has taught Infant Swimming Resource training, teaching children as young as 6 months old to float, flip and swim to safety.
"It's actually dangerous for parents to introduce a child to the water before they know how to save their own lives in an unexpected water encounter."
Certified ISR trainers will tell you teaching children at a young age allows them to learn through behavioral science and their innate reflexes. The lessons are just 10 minutes each, Monday-Friday for 6 to 8 consecutive weeks.
"it's a very intense curriculum, says Lynsie Rust, whose 19-month old son Alex just graduated from the program. "It's not for everyone... they are definitely fussy in the beginning. It's a very tough-love approach."
Alex is fully-trained to turn to his back and float if he falls into a pool or lake. His final exam was falling in the water fully-clothed.
The Academy of Pediatrics recently changed its stance on swim training, saying children can benefit from formal training as young as 1, but they say there isn't enough research that backs up the need to train any younger. Particularly because they fear it could give parents a false sense of security with children around the water.
"I have had other parents give me looks," says Jennifer McDevitt. "...because it looks like my kid is struggling. But ultimately, i feel really good about it."
Jennifer's 14-month old daughter is now swim training. Her older brother and sister also took the course. Jennifer says the training likely saved her now 6-year-old son's life at least once.
"He got too far from the steps and another kid was grabbing on him," she remembers. "He turned and floated. He's totally capable of saving his own life."
It isn't without naysayers. Some parents call it cruel, even torture for a young child. Mister Terry likens the training to vaccinations or car-seats - something not all children like at first, but parents do to keep them safe.
"They can give me looks," says Jennifer. "Then they see my kid floating and they're like 'Wow - I can't believe that.'"
To find out more on Infant Swim Resource training, visit www.infantswim.com
or visit the ISR Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ISRSelfRescue/?fref=ts