The pod’s door will be opened for you in reception. Hold the sides for stability, step into the pod, sit down facing into the pod. Move to the centre and gently lower your back until you are floating face up. When you are ready, close the door by pressing once on the black door button to your left. Do not use the outside button to close the door, as this will cause the pump to start. The white light button is also on the left. On your right, you have a RED call attendant button. Pushing this button will set off a buzzer which the operator must cancel at reception. The reception will come and knock on your door of the float room to speak to you if you have pushed this button. Please speak up if everything is OK and you pressed the button by accident. If you don’t answer or not heard clearly, the attendant might think it’s an emergency and enter to check on you.
Some first time floaters are a bit concerned about closing the top door of the tank. You are not obliged to close the door if you do not want to, though the top of your body may feel a bit cool. In any case, you control the door from the inside BLACK button on your left. You may open and close the door as often as you wish during your float. Be assured that the door is not held shut. If you’d like just a bit more airing in the tank, pushing the door button again as it is coming down to interrupt it closing. You may close it or open it at any height and as often as you wish. Do not close the door while inside using the outside door button – this will cause the pump to run. There is no harm to be in the tank while the pump is running, but it is noisy.
You control the lights too from the inside of the tank by pressing the WHITE button. You can float with the lights on the entire time. You may switch the lights of the pod on and off at any time during your float.
You can choose to either have continuous music throughout your float session or to have it fade away to silence after a few minutes and to stay silent almost until the end of your session. Be sure to tell the attendant what you’d like before going into the float room.
Some people prefer to float using the neck pillow, which is provided upon check-in. The neck pillow keeps your ears out of the water. You should use earplugs if you float without the pillow to avoid salt crystals building up inside your ears. In either case, be sure to allow your head to fully relax – your face will not go under the water line. If you try to hold your head up to keep it out of the water, you will be defeating the purpose of floating! Some people enjoy floating with their arms along their side, others, with their arms under their head. Experiment a bit until you find the position for your arms and legs that is the most comfortable for you. You will soon realize that your entire body is completely relaxed and that no muscles are being used.
Try not to splash or slosh the water in the tank because droplets may sting your eyes. If you do, you may splash water in your eyes, which will sting. If this happens, there’s a bottle of fresh water in the tank for you to spray into your eyes.
You don’t actually “do” anything in the tank, you just let your mind wander and let your body enjoy the experience! Maybe you’ll even fall asleep. There is no risk of turning over in the tank if you do fall asleep. As there is no pressure on any part of your body, your body has no need to turn over. Some people regularly sleep in the tank the entire night!
If you find that your body seems to be “spinning”, simply open your eyes. This is caused by your brain trying to adjust to the weightless experience, which goes away after several floats sessions.
The door will open automatically at the end of your session, so you do not need to worry about how long you have been in the tank. Time seems to fly by very quickly while you are floating and most people find it hard to believe they have floated for an hour!
Some people believe that the water temperature drops as they float. Be assured that the tank is continuously and silently heated to 93.5˚F, which is skin temperature. If you feel like you are getting a bit cold, simply run some of the water over the top of your body to warm yourself up.