iTeach Babies to Swim

Welcome! I'm Octavia Cruse, a nationally Certified Instructor with Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) and the owner of iSwim with ISR formerly known as ISR with Octavia.

 My mission is to provide your family with the most essential layer of aquatic protection: self-rescue survival swimming skills for your child.

Our Core Mission

 Water Survival and Safety
Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of four in the United States. That's why I am dedicated to teaching children ages 6 months up to 6 years old the skills they need to survive an aquatic accident.
Our focus is on teaching your child to become an "aquatic problem solver".
* Infants (6-20 months): The goal is to teach your child to roll onto their back to float, rest, and breathe, and maintain this life-saving position until help arrives.
* Toddlers and Young Children 20 months and up): Children learn the swim-float-swim sequence, enabling them to flip over and swim to safety at the edge, wall, or steps of the pool.
"This is a skill set that they will keep from 6 months to 66... they will learn and obtain and retain that information that I've taught them."

The ISR Difference

Gentle, Precise, and Expert Training
My training and methodology are what set Infant Swimming Resources apart.
* Elite Certification: I completed an intensive, 8-week training program with a Certified Master Instructor, which included a minimum of 80 hours of in-water training and rigorous academic coursework. All ISR instructors are required to maintain a current CPR and First Aid certification and undergo annual recertification.
* Safety First: Your child's well-being is the highest priority. All lessons are one-on-one and conducted with a focus on their unique development. We adhere to strict safety protocols, including monitoring water temperature and we keep our pool at a therapeutic level of 90 degrees. This is to ensure effective learning and checking your child's capillary refill to prevent fatigue.
* Non-Verbal Communication: The initial crying from a child is natural, as it's their first language. My approach is to build a safe, trusting connection through non-verbal cues, nurturing a willing participant who knows I am their safe person in the water. We focus on positive reinforcement to achieve their safety goals.
* Short, Focused Lessons: Lessons are limited to 15 minutes each day, four days a week (Monday-Thursday), to ensure optimal retention and prevent fatigue. The average session lasts about 20 lessons (approximately five weeks) to achieve competency.

Beyond Certification:
I am a skilled aquatic behavior specialist with a background in Child Development and Motor Learning. I earned a college degree from Kentucky State University in Business Administration in 2010.  I am dedicated to making these life-saving lessons accessible. In the summers I am known for traveling to different counties and homes that may not have access to a local ISR instructor. I am an IBECC approved provider to teach autistic aquatic lessons. To ensuring a therapeutic and effective approach for children in a private pool without other pool distractions or people in the pool makes this a remarkable experience. 

Fun Facts

 I’m a proud mom of three amazing adult daughters and recently remarried in 2024. My husband, Micah, and I live in Georgetown, KY, where we share a love for adventure and motorcycles. We’re both thrill-seekers who enjoy riding our Honda CBR 600RRs — yes, I have my own bike! When I’m not teaching swim lessons or riding, you’ll find me surrounded by all things pink, sparkly, and girly. 

Ready to start your child’s life-saving journey?

Please contact me today to learn more about scheduling a session and securing your child's spot in my roster. 

859-328-1997