Frequently asked questions
- Won't I feel claustrophobic inside?
- But isn't it an isolation tank?
- What about being in the dark?
- Can I accidentally turn over in the water?
- Will I get cold, like staying too long in the bath?
- What is Epsom salt and why is it used?
- What if I can't swim?
- Might I be too heavy to float?
- Can I catch a disease from someone using the tank before me?
- Why does floating help to relax and relieve stress?
- Is it true that floating cures jet lag?
- Is there a limit to how much you can float?
- What about my hair?
Won't I feel claustrophobic inside?
No! The inside is rather like a tent, it's warm, there is good ventilation and the door is not locked. You can float with the door open if you want to, for as long as you like.
But isn't it an isolation tank?
Not really. It's a privacy tank perhaps. You can listen to music, you can feel the warm water, you can touch the sides - you are not isolated from sensation at all. You will in fact have heightened sensation in some ways.
What about being in the dark?
That's up to you. There is a light switch that you control. You can leave the lights on all through your float session. You can have music playing all through too if you like, and you can choose the music in advance. Floating is the best and fastest way to relax and many people find that silence and the dark help relax even more. But it's up to you, either way, floating is wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable.
Can I accidentally turn over in the water?
No. The water is very shallow, just 25 cm or ten inches deep, less than the height of this page. Also it is much heavier than added Epsom Salts, so you float very easily and much higher in the water that in a swimming pool. You float on your back with absolutely no effort and there is no tendency to roll over. People often sleep in float tanks and there is no risk of rolling over even if you are asleep.
Will I get cold, like staying too long in the bath?
No, the tank is heated all the time. The temperature of the water feels warm when you get in, but in fact it is at normal skin temperature, and this is exactly right for floating for a long time. The correct temperature is important for feeling comfortable and relaxed for an hour or so and we go to great trouble to get it right.
What is Epsom salt and why is it used?
Epsom Salt is Magnesium Sulphate. It is found naturally in many spa waters. It is very different from sea or table salt which is mainly Sodium Chloride. Epsom Salt has been used for centuries to treat skin complaints and is used as a medicine. It is none toxic, it won't harm you if yu swallow some; but it doesn't taste too nice! We use it for two main reasons. Firstly it raises the density making it easier to float. Secondly it softens your skin.
What if I can't swim?
That's OK. Floating is as easy as taking a bath. You just step in, sit down, and lay back. You can touch the bottom with your hands. There is no skill required, you just let the salty water do the work.
Might I be too heavy to float?
No way.
Can I catch a disease from someone using the tank before me?
No you can't, as long as the tank is operated properly. Between each float session all the water is pumped though a filter which removed every particle down to 30 microns, which is smaller than the thickness of a human hair and too small to see without a microscope. But, more importantly we add chlorine and hydrogen peroxide, just like in a swimming pool. Chlorine and hydrogen peroxide kill all bacteria, viruses and fungi very quickly. The risk of infection is much lower than in the situations that we all face when working with and meeting other people every day.
Why does floating help to relax and relieve stress?
The dense water makes it easy to float, so you can relax. We keep the temperature at skin temperature so that you can really relax. That means that your postural muscles don't have to work at all. The muscles send a chemical message to the brain saying in effect "You can relax too, the environment is friendly". The blood vessels near the skin relax allowing more blood to flow. Within a few minutes you feel better, less stressed, your body and mind become more relaxed more quickly than in your natural state. The increased blood flow and freedom from pressure promotes healing of muscle strains and relief from joint pain. Research has found that floating brings on brain waves associated with deep relaxation and meditation. Some people meditate on their feelings, some have wonderful daydreams. The more you float the better it gets. Research has also shown consistent improvement in performance after floating, in all kinds of activity from rifle shooting to jazz playing... Furthermore the effects last not just all day but for a day or two afterwards.
Is it true that floating cures jet lag?
Yes. Research shows that floating is more effective than bed-rest.
Is there a limit to how much you can float?
Some people have their own float tanks and sleep in them regularly. They claim that they need less sleep that way than in normal sleep. You could certainly float every day without harm. We also find that the relaxing effect of a one hour float can last all day and more, so that a session once or twice a week can be enough to satisy your desire for floating.
What about my hair?
You must wash your hair in the shower before floating, and swimming caps do not work very well, so hair colours, laquers and hairpieces are not allowed in the tank. Ask the operator's advice if you are not sure.