Teignbridge Leisure - Steam Room User Guide

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Follow this guidance for a safe and enjoyable experience

A sauna operates at 75°C-85°C. Make sure that the temperature is comfortable for you by varying your position in the sauna.
An authorised person should only adjust the sauna controls.
Contact lenses may dry out and glasses can become very hot and should not be worn whilst using the sauna.
Breakable containers must not be taken into the steam room.

Burns from the hot stove.
Fire or fumes from towels or other items placed on or above the sauna stove or heat source.
Slipping injuries caused by wet flooring or benches.
Dehydration from excessive heat and body fluid loss.

Have a serious illness, a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, respiratory condition or any other medical condition that may affect your reaction to heat.
Are taking medication for any of the above conditions, or if you are unsure as to the advisability of using the sauna.
Are susceptible to migraines - saunas can trigger these.
Are a diabetic with damaged feet or peripheral neuropathy who experiences reduced sensation in your feet.
Have a contagious disease, infectious skin condition, open sores or wounds. Have an illness causing an inability to perspire.
Have had a heavy meal within one and a half hours. Are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Have recently exercised. Time should be allowed to enable body temperature to return to normal levels.

During sauna use, drink plenty of water to replace the fluids lost during perspiration but avoid alcohol. If at any time in the sauna any feelings of illness are experienced, leave the sauna immediately and consult with staff or seek medical advice if necessary.
Before use, remove any metal items such as watches or jewellery as they can become very hot.
Ensure you shower before using the steam room to remove any perspiration, creams, oils or deodorants and to moisten the skin.
For hygiene reasons, wear appropriate swimwear and take a towel to sit on.
Enter the sauna cabin and sit or lie on a bench at a height where the heat is comfortable for you. This will raise the body temperature and start perspiration.
When the heat becomes too uncomfortable, leave the sauna and cool down, either gradually by sitting in a room outside the sauna or take a cool shower. Some users choose to cool down using icy water, but this should only be considered by those in very good health.
When you have cooled down, you may wish to return to the sauna to experience more heat. At this point, you may wish to add water to the exposed coals (if present) to produce steam and increase the sauna heat. Again, leave the sauna when you feel uncomfortable.
This hot to cold cycle can be repeated as often as is comfortable.
However, be aware using the sauna for too long may result in nausea, dizziness or fainting.
When finished, cool off for the final time until your body temperature has returned to near normal.

Children: The body temperature of young children will rise much quicker than that of older children or adults owing to their underdeveloped thermo-regulatory mechanisms. Children should always be supervised closely by a responsible adult. The amount of time spent in the sauna should be limited and they must replace lost fluids frequently. Adults must be aware of the dangers of heat stress in children and ensure from early indications of stress that they are not put at risk.
Older adults: As the body becomes older, it becomes less effective at dealing with cardiovascular stress. Consequently, elderly people should modify their use of saunas to ensure they are not over-stressed.
Pregnant: Those who are pregnant are advised not to use saunas or should seek medical advice before doing so.
Diabetics: People with diabetes should check with their Doctor before using the sauna (see peripheral neuropathy section above). The use of saunas can directly affect insulin sensitivity and absorption.