This Mom's "Self-Rescue" Swim Lesson Is Sparking Conversation and Controversy

Keri Morrison tragically lost her 2-year-old son three years ago when he slipped out the back door of their Orlando, FL, home, fell off a nearby dock, and drowned. After the traumatic loss, Morrison is subscribing to a controversial, "self-rescue" swim instruction method with her 6-month-old daughter, Josie, referred to as Infant Swimming Resource, or ISR. The technique trains infants and young children how to hold their breath, comfortably float, and ultimately swim.

In a video that may be difficult for some to watch, Morrison watches as Josie falls head first into the water and then turns on her back to float on her own for about a minute. Morrison credits Josie's ISR lessons with her ability to save herself.

In an emotional interview on the Today show, Morrison defended the parenting technique. "You're seeing a 6-month-old sitting on the steps playing, which can be a real life situation," she said. "She falls in and she turns over and saves herself and floats for over a minute and a half. I don't see how there could be anything negative about that."

Morrison also expressed regret in not using ISR with her son. "I wish I could go back in time and put my son in these lessons. I'm pretty confident that he would be here, and as a parent, I felt like I failed my son, and I was just determined that was not going to happen with my daughters," she said.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, child drownings can be prevented with the proper swimming lessons, however, that isn't always a guarantee, especially when dealing with infants.

Would you use the method with your infant?