Preparing for your float

What you can expect, and what is expected of you

Preparing for your float

There are two important things which you must do before you come for your first float

Please watch the instruction video below before you come for your first float. If you arrive and have not yet watched the video you will be required to watch it before you float, which will reduce the time available for your float. The video is about 14 minutes in duration.

Please complete the intake form before you come for your first float. If you arrive and have not yet completed an intake form you will be required to do so before you float, which will reduce the time available for your float.

Now you have watched the video, please click here to complete the intake form before you come for your first float. There is a place to sign with your finger if using a touchscreen device, or the mouse if you are on a computer.  If you arrive and have not yet completed an intake form you will be required to do so before you float, which will reduce the time available for your float.  There is no need to print it out: just complete it online and it will come through to us automatically.

Once you have completed the form it will return you to this page.  Please be sure to read the rest of this page which contains some important additional information to be aware of.

Allow plenty of time

Please take care to be punctual for your appointment.  It’s a good idea to aim to arrive a few minutes early.  Make sure you research the route to get to us before you set off.  If you are late we may need to cut your float short.  The float itself is approximately 1 hour in duration, but we recommend you allow at least 2 hours for your first float.  This is to allow time to shower before and afterwards, and time to relax afterwards.

When you book you will be sent appointment details by email, but in the mean time if you’d like to get your bearings you can check out our location here.

What happens when you arrive

If someone is accompanying you who will not be floating they will need to wait outside for you, unless you need their assistance to be able to move around the float centre safely.

Upon entering reception please remove your shoes. You can keep your socks on, go barefoot, or use a clean pair of the sandals provided. If you use a pair of sandals, please put them in the basket in reception once you have finished with them so we can sanitise them.

After you have removed your shoes please use the hand sanitiser provided in reception.  During your visit please take care to act in a way which minimises the risk of transmission of coronavirus, including:

  • Maintaining the recommended social distance from others when at the float centre
  • Covering your mouth and nose with a dsposable tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • Avoiding touching surfaces unnecessarily
  • Washing your hands
  • You are free to choose whether you wish to wear a face covering.

We will check that you have watched the instruction video and filled in the intake form.  Please do so in advance otherwise you will need to do them when you arrive which will reduce the time available for your float.  We will be glad to answer any questions you might have.

We will show you to your own private room, with your own personal shower and float pod.

You will shower before your float, including washing your hair. This is to remove any dirt and oils from your skin and hair.

You float and emerge transformed, having another shower afterwards to wash off the salt water.

Then you can enjoy your post-float glow in the lounge where there are lovely artworks and comfy chairs.

Please read on to discover some important dos and don’ts for floating…

The unknown can make us nervous

It’s possible you’ve never tried floating before, in which case you may be unsure what to expect, and what is expected of you.

It’s perfectly natural to experience fear of the unknown – everyone does – and there’s nothing wrong with that.

In an i-sopod
Shari and Will by a float pod, Shari in the foreground

We will guide you through it

Read the information on this page and watch the instruction video – this should make things clear.  If you have any concerns or questions, you could also check out our FAQ page and feel free to give us a call or email, we’d be happy to help.

Even if you have tried floating at a different float centre, you may find some slight differences, so please do absorb the information here before you come.

What not to do before your float

There are some basic rules we ask you to respect:

  • Please don’t come to float under influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Also, please don’t come to float if you have any open wounds. This is partly for hygienic reasons, but also because the salt in the float pod will make the wound uncomfortable.
  • Again, please don’t come with new tattoos or piercings which haven’t healed yet e.g. within 3-4 weeks. As a test, if you apply hand sanitiser to the area and it stings, you’ll want to wait a little longer before you float.
  • Please don’t float with fake tan.  You must thoroughly remove any and all fake tan products from your whole body before floating.

Hair Dye

You must be certain that no hair dye will come out of your hair when you float. If your hair dye contaminates the water or stains the pod, you will need to pay the costs of rectifying this which will be at least £1639, and by floating you agree to do this.

Some dyes continue to come out of hair for longer, such as shades of red or rainbow colours. Some ways to test at home before you come to float include ensuring that no colour comes out of your hair in the water when you shower, and that no colour comes off on a white towel when you vigorously dry your hair.

If you arrive for your float and the staff have concerns that colour may come out of your hair when you float, you may not be allowed to float. You may be invited to prove that no colour comes out by allowing a small part of your hair to be soaked in Epsom salt solution, and rubbed with a white towel. If you decline to test your hair, or if any colour comes off when tested, then you will not be allowed to float. There is no way around this, and wearing a swimming cap will not help. You will not receive any refund, and you will not be able to reschedule.

It is up to you to make sure that no hair dye will come out of your hair when you float, and if in any doubt do not book until you are sure.

For your comfort and enjoyment, we also recommend that you do not come to float after:

  • Caffeine (within the last 4 hours)
  • A large meal within the last hour or so
  • Waxing (eg within last the 24 – 48 hours)
  • Shaving (eg within last the 12 – 24 hours)
  • Recent vigorous sex
  • Soon after giving birth (before you have healed)

… as these are likely to detract (and distract) from your experience.

If you suffer from severe motion sickness in other circumstances (e.g. in a boat or car), there is a chance you could suffer from it in the pod. If you usually use medication to control your motion sickness in these circumstances, you may wish to consider doing so in the case of floating.  The best way to minimise the risk of nausea if you suffer from motion sickness is to stay still when you are floating.

Woman enjoying her float

Important – people with some medical conditions should not float.

Please see our FAQ page for the full list of who shouldn’t float.  Please also see our page about accessibility and mobility.

What will be provided:

You don’t need to bring anything but yourself and an open mind!

We provide towels, toiletries, earplugs, a vaseline-type product (for covering minor cuts and grazes), and hairdryers.

You don’t need to bring a swimming costume, as it is fine to float naked, in fact we recommend it.

You may wish to bring your own cosmetics or toiletries, and if you wear contact lenses, you may wish to bring your kit to take them out.

If you will be floating while on your period, please use a tampon or menstrual cup to control your flow, as you would in a swimming pool. If you use a tampon please ensure it is fully inserted before your float.

From our toilet roll to our shower gel, we’re proud of the products we’ve chosen.  You can read about some of our suppliers here.

Take your time and relax!

Expect nothing

Our best advice is “have no expectations”, though we do realise that can be easier said than done!

Everyone’s experience of floating can be different, and it can take a little time to get used to it and really feel the benefits.

You can see our full Terms & Conditions here, and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

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