Hot Tub Safety

[Guest guest]

High water temperatures can elevate your body temperature and the

temperature of your internal organs beyond safe limits. (It's almost like

having a fever.) It is recommended that maximum water temperature never

exceed 104° F. Soaking too long makes some people nauseous, dizzy,

lightheaded, or faint. Don't soak for more than 15 minutes at one sitting in

104 F water. If you wish to soak for a longer period of time in high

temperatures, leave the spa or hot tub after 15 minutes, shower, cool down

and then return for another brief stay. In lower temperatures (e.g. 98.6° F

- normal body temperature) most people can comfortably and safely soak for

longer periods at one sitting.

Never use a spa or hot tub while or after using alcohol. Alcohol acts to

expand your blood vessels and increase your body temperature- much like

soaking in hot water does. Alcohol in your bloodstream and soaking at the

same time creates a combined effect that can be damaging. The body

temperature may accelerate at dangerous levels quickly. The alcohol may

cause nausea, dizziness, and lightheadedness. The ultimate danger of

combined alcohol consumption and hot water soaking is drowning due to loss

of consciousness, heart attack or injury due to passing out and falling.

As with alcohol, the combined use of certain of certain prescribed medicines

and hot water soaking can be dangerous. Never use a spa or hot tub while or

after using narcotics or other drugs that may cause sleepiness , drowsiness

or raise or lower blood pressure. With any drug or medication, consult with

your doctor about potential harmful effects from combined use of the drug

and hot water soaking. Never use a spa or hot tub if you are under the

influence of drugs.