Your Water-Safety Instructor in Whitehouse, OH

Kym Smith Cragel has been able to teach over 1100 children Self-Rescue ISR lessons throughout NW Ohio since becoming Certified in 2017.  Her degree in Education and Master's in Sport Psychology provides the knowledge, background and expertise needed when working with children of all ages and abilities. With over 25 years experience teaching traditional swim lessons and over nine years teaching ISR, Kym has had the honor of working with children and families who return year after year for lessons.  Using Sport Psychology techniques, Kym is able to teach strategies for self-regulation to children and adults. Her no nonsense approach to communication provides families with the tools needed for maintaining the highest levels of water safety knowledge. Parents often hear Kym asking their little ones, "Who is a good swimmer?" and children will often exclaim, "I did it!" when achieving their daily lesson goals. Her dedication and passion is evident during every lesson. Tears of joy not only fill parents' eyes, but also Kym's as each child accomplishes their life-saving skills.

Swim Instructor Image
FAQs
How can you teach babies and young children to swim?
ISR instructors teach infants to swim by honoring each child's individual strengths and experiences. They understand the fundamentals of the behavioral sciences, child development and of sensori-motor learning as it relates to the acquisition of aquatic survival skills; they use this education to guide each child through the sequence of learning to swim and float.
I hear you say your priority is survival skills. Will my child learn to actually swim?
Yes. At ISR, we believe that part of survival for a child who can walk is swimming. Children learn the swim-float-swim sequence so that they could get themselves to safety. The difference in our program is that they will learn swimming AND survival skills and how to be an aquatic problem solver.
Do you have children that just can’t learn the skills?
No. Every child can learn. It is my job to find the best way to communicate the information so that it makes sense to the child. I set your child up to be successful every time you bring them to me. I start where they are and through consistent lessons, we see progress.
How is it that babies can learn to respond to the danger of water when they fall in?
A baby does not need to perceive danger or be afraid to respond appropriately to being underwater. If a baby has learned to roll over and float when he needs air, he doesn't need to perceive danger in order to respond in this manner. He needs skill, practice and confidence to calmly deal with the situation.

Learn More

We would love to hear from you.