floating toward sustainability: a uwinnipeg campus ......sensory deprivation tank, float tank, float...
TRANSCRIPT
FloatingTowardSustainability:AUWinnipegCampusPerspective
CodyLapointe
AreportsubmittedinpartialfulfilmentoftherequirementsforENV-4614CampusSustainability
DepartmentofEnvironmentalStudiesandSciences
TheUniversityofWinnipeg
2016
Acknowledgements
IamgratefultoBradDaukandLeahDawnatFloat.Calmforgenerouslysharingtheirfloatingknowledgeandexpertise,whichaddedtremendousvaluetotheproject;toAlanDiduckforgreatleadershipandtimelyadvicethroughoutthecreativeprocess;toAlanaLajoie-O’MalleyandAlexWiebfortheirengagementintheproject,alongwithhelpfulfeedbackandsuggestions;andtoTessaAusborn,PatrickCarty,MaureenHanlon,NadineKanik,andSamanthaLeechforalltheirgreatideasandsuggestions,whichreallyhelpedmovetheprojectinamoreinterestingdirection.Thankyouallforembracingthefloattankproject!
Contents
1.Purpose………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1
2.Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
3.Methods………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
4.Terms…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1
5.Background……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
5.1.History……………………………………………………………………………………………….......................2
5.2.TypesofFloatTanks…………………………………………………………………………………………….….3
6.Results……………………………………………………………………………………………………………........................4
6.1.Rationale…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
6.1.1.SustainabilityRelatedBenefits………………………………………………………………….4
Relaxation/StressReduction……………………………………………………………………5
EnhancedWell-being……………………………………………………………………………...6
EnhancedAthleticPerformance/Recovery……………………………………………...9
MeditativeStates…………………………………………………………………………………11
PainManagement…………………………………………………………………………………11
6.1.2.RelevancetoCurrentSocialSustainabilityInitiatives………………………………12
6.1.3.OtherBenefits…………………………………………………………………………………………13
EnhancedLearning………………………………………………………………………………..13
EnhancedCreativity………………………………………………………………………………14
MagnesiumAbsorption…………………………………………………………………………14
6.2.Feasibility………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14
6.2.1.Sanitation……………………………………………………………………………………………….14
6.2.2.SpaceandLocation………………………………………………………….........................15
6.2.3.Cost…………………………………………………………………………………………………….....16
CostList…………………………………………………………………………………………….....16
CostEstimate………………………………………………………………………………………..16
6.3.FeasibleNextSteps………………………………………………………………………………………………..17
6.4ConcludingComments……………………………………………………………………………………………17
AppendixA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………18
AppendixB………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………19
AppendixC………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………22
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….23
1
1.Purpose
ThepurposeofthisprojectistodevelopareportthatsuccessfullyinformsthereaderaboutfloatinganditsrelevancetosocialsustainabilityattheUniversityofWinnipeg.Inaddition,thereportwillprovideinformationregardingthefeasibilityofafloatcentresituatedoncampus.TheinformationprovidedwilllayafoundationforfuturedecisionsregardingafloatcentreattheUniversityofWinnipeg.
2.Objectives
Therearetwomainobjectivesthisreportattemptstomeet,
1. Thedevelopmentofarationale,whichsuccessfullydemonstratestherelevanceoffloatingtosocialsustainabilityattheUniversityofWinnipeg.
2. Thedevelopmentofafeasibilitystudy,whichprovidesinformationandanalysisforissuesrelatingtotheintroductionofafloatcentreoncampus.
3.Methods
Avarietyofsourceswereusedintheconstructionofthisreport,including:scientificresearchpapers,internetsources,andbooks.Inaddition,expertinformationfromtheownersofFloat.Calmisincluded.
4.Terms
Sensorydeprivationtank,floattank,floatpod,andisolationtankareallinterchangeable.Themostcommonnameusedinresearchandindustryisfloattankandthisistheprimarytermusedforthepurposeinthisreport.
FlotationREST,floating,andflotationtherapyareallinterchangeable.ThemostcommontermusedinresearchisflotationRESTandthemostcommonnameusedinindustryisfloating.Bothofthesetermswillbeusedinthisreport.
5.Background
Thefloattankisalightless,soundproofstructure,insidewhichanindividualfloatsinEpsomsaltsaturatedwaterheatedtobodytemperature.Thefunctionofthetankistodeprivetheparticipantofsensoryperceptions,inordertocreateanenvironmentofminimalstimulation.Floatingoffersmanytherapeuticbenefits,bothphysicalandmental.
InatypicalflotationRESTsession,aparticipantwouldenterthefloattankandlayina
Figure1.(befreefloating.com,2013)
2
supineposition,withtheEpsomsaltsaturatedwateractingassupportforthebody.Duetothedensityofthesaltwaterittakesaconsciousefforttoturnover,ensuringthesafetyofeachparticipant.Participantstypicallyspendforty-fivetoninetyminutesinthefloattankpersession,whichgivesthemampletimetorelaxandheal.
Intermsofoperationthereisnothingthatneedstobedonewhileaparticipantisinthefloattank.Anassociatemustbeavailableincaseofanemergency,butthefloatsessionitselfisaverysimpleprocess.Thereareproceduresrelatedtosanitationthatmustbefollowedinbetweenparticipants,butthiswillbediscussedinfurtherdetaillaterinthereport.
5.1History
Originalresearchregardingsensorydeprivationbeganinthe1950s,butitwasnotconductedinamodernstylefloattank.Sensorydeprivationwasachievedthroughisolationinawaterlesschamberorthroughatechniquewhichrequiredtheparticipanttowearamaskwhilesubmergedinwater.Whilethesetechniquesweresuccessfulinachievingsensorydeprivationtheywereultimatelyinconsistentandgenerallystressfulforparticipants.
In1977,sensorydeprivationresearchchangedwhenJohnC.LillyinventedtheSamadhifloattank.Lillyhadbeeninvolvedinearlyresearchinsensorydeprivationandhisdesignprovedtobemuchmoreuserfriendlyincomparisontoprevioustechniques.ThisformofsensorydeprivationisbetterknownasflotationREST(RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechnique),whichistheacceptedtechniqueinmodernresearch.
TherewasaboominthefloatingworldafterthedesignoftheSamadhitankin1977.Manystudieswereconductedduringthe80sandfloatcentresbegantopopupallovertheUnitedStates,stimulatingtheindustry.Unfortunately,the90swerenotaskindtotheworldoffloating.ItisspeculatedthattheAIDSepidemicplayedamajorroleinthecommercialdownturn,and,inextension,theeffortsinresearch.
The2000sbroughtarenewedoptimismasresearchinflotationRESTbecameprominentonceagain,withnewresearchcomingoutofSweden.Inadditiontotheincreaseinresearchtherewasareboundintheindustryaswell,withnewfloatcentresopeningtheirdoors.CurrentlythereareovertwohundredandfiftycommercialfloatcentresintheUnitedStatesandover45inCanada(FloatationLocations,2016).In2010thefirstfloatsummitwasheldinLondon,Englandandin2012thefirstannualfloatconferencewasheldinPortland,Oregon.FlotationRESTresearchcontinuestoimprove,withtheintroductionofafloatlabequippedwithanfMRImachineattheUniversityofTulsa(Oaklander,2016).
Figure2.(Turner&Fine,1983)
3
5.2TypesofFloatTanks
Therearemanydifferentfloattankmanufacturersaroundtheglobe,eachofferingadifferentaestheticwhenitcomestothedesignofthetank.However,thesetanksareallmanufacturedtoperformthesamefunction,sotherearespecificaspectsthatareconsistentacrossdesigns.Allfloattankscomewithafiltrationsystem,whichallowsthetanktofunctionwithoutaplumbinghookup.Thewateriscycledthroughthefiltrationsystemaminimumoffourtimes(thisisindustrystandard)betweeneachfloater.Thefiltrationsystemscanoperateunderastandardelectricalcurrent;howevertheydoneedspecialelectricalfittingstofunctionproperly.Aheateralsocomeswitheachdesigntoensurethewaterstaysatbodytemperature.Floattanksoftencomewithaspeakersystemaswelltoallowformusicorrecordings(thisistypicallyanoption).Additionally,eachfloattankcanbedisassembledandmovedifnecessary.Somedifferentfloattankdesignsinclude:theSamadhiFloatTank,OasisFloatTank,andi-sopod.TherearealsoFloatCabinsandFloatRoomswhichwillnotbediscussed(butpictureswillbeincluded).
TheSamadhidesignisa44”widex94”longx44.5”highstructure(4’x8’),madeoutofdoublewalledABS(thermoplasticpolymer).Thespaceneededforhousingthetankisdependentonthepositioningofthefiltrationsystem,asitisseparatefromthefloattankunit(seeAppendixA).TheSamadhitankusesaheaterintheceilingofthetanktopreventcondensationfromdrippingandalsoincludesalightontheinterior.Thistankcomeswithanaircirculationsystemaswell.
TheOasisfloattankisverysimilarinaestheticwhencomparedtotheSamadhitank;however,theydifferinacoupleofways.Firstly,theOasisfloattankisslightlylargerthantheSamadhitankmeasuring56”widex99”longx45”high.Another6”to36”inchesofspaceisneededtohousethefiltrationsystem(puttingitbehindthetankwouldbemoreefficientintermsofspace).An8’x9’space(filtrationsystemontheside)ora5’x11’space(filtrationsystembehind)isneededforsufficienthousing.TheOasisfloattankismadeoutofsinglewalledfiberglassandcomeswithaUVlight(Samadhidoesnot)asanadditionalsanitationprocedure.Insteadofaheaterinstalledintheceiling,
theceilingitselfisslopedtopreventcondensationfromdripping.Thisdesigndoesnotcomewithabuiltinlightoraircirculationsystem,howeveritisventilated.
Figure3.(pearltrees.com,2011)
Figure4.(oasisrelaxation.com,2014)
4
Thei-sopoddesignislargerandmorepleasingaestheticallythanboththeSamadhiandOasisdesign.Itisa60”widex101”longx51”highstructure,needingroughlya6’x9’spaceforsufficienthousing.ItismadeoutofdoubleskinnedglassreinforcedplasticandcomeswithaUVlight(similartoOasis).Itisalsoequippedwithamechanicalventilationsystem.Condensationisavoidedduetoitsdesign(slopedtop).Oneadvantageofthei-sopoddesignisthatithousesthefiltrationsysteminthebackofthetank,ratherthanoutsideofthestructure,whicheliminatesextraplanningintermsofspace.Italsois
biggerontheinteriorthantheothertwodesignsandcomeswithalightontheinside(similartoSamadhi).
Floatcabinsandfloatroomsaremorespaciousversionsofthefloattank.Thesedesignsmaybemorecomfortableforindividualswhoareveryclaustrophobicorintimidatedbythesmallerspaceofthefloattank;howeverthereisnodifferenceintheoverallexperience.
6.Results
6.1Rationale
6.1.1SustainabilityRelatedBenefits
FlotationRESThasbeenresearchedextensivelysincetheinventionoftheSamadhifloattankin1977.ResultsfromtheresearchsuggestthattherearemanypositiveoutcomesassociatedwithflotationREST,including:relaxationandstressreduction,enhancedwell-being,enhancedathleticperformance/recovery,meditativestates,andpainmanagement.ThesespecificbenefitswillbediscussedinthecontextofsustainabilityattheUniversityofWinnipeg.Additionalbenefitsincludeenhancedlearning,enhancedcreativity,andmagnesiumabsorptionthroughtheEpsomsalt.
Figure6(above).FloatCabin(floatspa.hu)
Figure7(left).FloatRoom(wheretofloat.com)
Figure5.(blessthisstuff.com)
5
RelaxationandStressReduction
AccordingtoBen-Menachem(1977)(ascitedinBoodetal.,2006)twoconditionsmustbepresenttoelicitarelaxationresponse,including:reducedsensoryinputandreducedbodilymovements(pg.155).AsflotationRESTbegantoberecognizedasalegitimaterelaxationtechnique,researchwasconductedontheoveralleffectivenessofthetechniqueintermsofinducingrelaxationonparticipants.
Jacobsetal.conductedastudyin1984,whichcomparedtheeffectsofflotationRESTandtheeffectsofanormalsensoryenvironmentonrelaxationlevelsofparticipants.Theexperimentalandcontrolgroupssharedthesamerelaxationprogram(ten45minutessessions,breathingtechniques,visualimagerytechniquesetc.)andwentthroughthesamepreandpostsessiontesting(electromyogram,galvanicskinresponse,peripheralskintemperature,andbloodpressure).Thepost-testincludedasubjectivequestionnaire.Twoimportantresultscamefromthisstudy.
Firstly,participantsintheexperimentalgroupreportedgreaterrelaxationwhenrespondingtothesubjectiverelaxationquestionnaire.AccordingtoJacobsetal.,“theexperimentalgroupreportedgreaterrelaxationonthreeofthefivequestionsandsimilartrendsontheremainingtwo”(1984,pg.106).Inaddition,participantsfromtheexperimentalgroupreportedrelaxationasabenefitoftheexperiencemorethantwiceasoftenasmembersofthecontrolgroup(Jacobsetal.,1984,pg.107).ThesefindingssuggestthatflotationRESTinducesmoresubjectiverelaxationthannormalsensoryenvironments.
Secondly,participantsintheexperimentalgrouprecordedahigherreductioninbloodpressureacrosssessions(Jacobsetal.,1984,pg.106).Thisgivessomephysiologicalevidencetobackupthesubjectiveresults.
Overall,thestudydonebyJacobsetal.suggeststhattheenvironmentcreatedbythefloattankismoreconducivetorelaxationthananormalsensoryenvironment.Itisonlylogicaltosuggestthatsomeofthisrelaxationisinducedbecauseoftheextrareliefthefloattankcreatesfromeverydaychronicstressors(smartphones,artificiallightingetc.).Thenervoussystemisallowedtoexperienceahigherqualitybreakfromnormalstressorsinthefloattankcomparedtoanormalsensoryenvironment.
Inaddition,astudyconductedbyTurnerandFine(1983)associatedflotationRESTwithsignificantdecreasesinplasmacortisol(plasmacortisolisalaboratorytestusedtodeterminecortisollevelsintheblood).ThestudywassimilarinmethodwhencomparedwithJacobsetal.,asthecontrolgroupandflotationRESTgroupweretrainedinthesamerelaxationtechniques.TheyfoundthattheparticipantsintheflotationRESTconditionexperiencedamoresignificantdecreaseinplasmacortisolfrompretopostsession.Forexample,theRESTassistedgroupexperiencea20.3percentdropinplasmacortisolinsession5,whilethecontrolgrouponlyexperienceda7.3percentdrop(Turner&Fine,1983,pg.119).ItwasalsonotedthattherewasamoresignificantdecreaseinplasmacortisolacrosssessionsfortheRESTassistedgroup.(Turner&Fine,1983,pg.120).
6
Thephysiologicalimprovementsnotedinthesestudies(decreaseincortisolandbloodpressure)alongwiththesubjectiveresultscollectedfromparticipants,offersevidencethatflotationRESTisnotonlyalegitimaterelaxationandstressreductiontechnique,butahighqualitytechniqueaswell.
EnhancedWell-Being
Westernsocietyhasexperiencedanincreaseinawarenessofnegativeandoftendebilitatingeffectsofanxietyanddepressionduringthe21stcentury.Methodstoalleviateindividualsfromtheirsufferingwhendealingwiththeseparticularillnessesareevolvingandexpanding.ResultsfromresearchinthefieldofflotationRESTsuggeststhatthefloattankisnotonlyaviablemethodtoalleviatesymptomsinindividualswiththeseconditions,butitcanalsoenhanceotheraspectsofanindividual’swell-being(eg.sleepqualityandoptimism).
AstudyconductedbyBoodetal.(2006)foundresultswhichsupportedtheideathatflotationtherapycanbeausefulmethodtoenhancedifferentareasofwell-being.SeventyparticipantssufferingfromstressrelatedpainwererandomlysplitintoacontrolgroupandaflotationRESTgroup(twenty-sixparticipantsalsohadburnoutdepression).TheflotationRESTgroupcameforforty-fiveminutesoffloatationtherapy,twiceaweek,forsixweeks(twelvesessionsintotal).Thecontrolgroupreceivedthesameamountoftreatment;howevertheywereonlypermittedtositinacomfortablearmchairandreadmagazines.
Priortotheexecutionofthestudy,theresearchersinterviewedtheparticipants.PartoftheinterviewprocesswastogaugethelevelofanxietyanddepressiontheparticipantswereexperiencingusingtheHospitalAnxietyDepressionscale(HAD).OtherrelevantmeasuresusedweretheLifeOrientationTest(measureofdispositionaloptimism),andaquestionnaire,whichmeasuredforavarietyofvariablesincludingsleepquality(Boodetal.,2006).Afollowupstudywasconductedfourmonthsaftertreatmentconcludedtodeterminethelong-termeffectsofthetherapy.
Thestudyyieldedsignificantresults,includinganimprovementamongparticipantsintheflotationRESTgroupinallfourrelevantareas(anxiety,depression,dispositionaloptimism,andsleepquality).Thedatashowedadropinanxietyfrom8.41to6.11(27percent)directlyaftertreatment,increasingonlyslightlyto6.96fourmonthsaftertreatment(Boodetal.,2006,pg.169).Depressionshowedadecreasefrom6.06to4.14(24percent)directlyaftertreatment,increasingto4.32fourmonthsaftertreatment(Boodetal.,2006,pg.169).Theresearchersalsonotedthatdepressionlevelswereaffectedmorepositivelybytheparticipantssufferingfromburnoutdepression,statingspecifically:
“patientswhodidnothaveaburnoutdiagnosisfirstdecreasedtheirlevelsofdepressiondirectlyaftertreatmentandthenincreasedagain4monthsaftertreatmentbacktotheoriginallevel,whereasthepatientswithaburnoutdiagnosisloweredtheirdepressionlevels,accordingtoatrendtest(5%level),bothdirectlyaftertreatmentand4monthsafterthetreatment.”(Boodetal,2006,pg.169)
7
Sleepqualityincreasedfrom43.71to54.03(23percent)directlyaftertreatmentanddecreasedslightlyto52.21fourmonthsaftertreatment(Boodetal.,2006,pg168).Dispositionaloptimismincreasedfrom19.26to20.85(8percent)directlyaftertreatmentandincreasedto21.25fourmonthsaftertreatment(Boodetal,2006,pg.168).
TheresultsfromthisstudyshowthatflotationRESThasapositiveimpactonwell-beingduringatreatmentperiod,butitalsodemonstratesthatthepositiveeffectsextendbeyondthetreatmentperiod.Thissuggeststhatflotationtherapycannotonlyhaveanimmediateeffectonwell-being,butalastingeffectaswell.
Interestingly,Boodetal.conductedafollowupstudy,inwhichtheywantedtodetermineifthirty-threesessionswouldbemoreeffectivethantwelve(2007).AccordingtoBoodetal.,“theresultsindicatedno,orsmall,differencesbetweenthetwoprogramsinregardtotreatmenteffects”(2007,pg.154).Thesefindingspointtowardtheideathatthereisaceilingonaflotationtreatmentprogramintermsofthedegreeofthetreatmenteffects.Lessmaybejustaseffectiveasmore.
Aslenofetal.builtontheresultsoftheaforementionedstudiesin2007bycombiningflotationRESTtherapywithpsychotherapy.Theywantedtoseeifimprovementstoanindividual’soverallwell-beingwouldimprovemoredrasticallywiththecombinationofthetwomethods,ratherthanjustanincreaseinfloatsessions.
Twowomenage55and58participatedinthestudy,whichlastedoneyear.Thetwoparticipantswerebothonlongtermsickleavefromtheirrespectivejobs.Oneparticipantsufferedfromburn-outdepression,whiletheotherdealtwithfibromyalgia.AccordingtoAslenofetal.bothwomenhadtriedothermethodsincluding,“psychotherapy,relaxationtechniques,medicine,easierphysicaltrainingprograms,acupuncture,andsoon”(2007,pg.261).Unfortunatelynoneofthesetechniqueswerehelpfulintermsofimprovingtheirconditions.
Eachparticipantworkedthroughthesameprogram,whichincluded:thirty-fivesessionsofflotationRESTtherapy(forty-fiveminuteseach),grouptherapyoneightoccasions,conversationaltherapyoneightoccasions,andpicturetherapyoneightoccasions(Aslenofetal.,2007,pg.261).Thegroup,conversation,andpicturetherapysessionswerecoordinatedtogether,witheachsessionincludingforty-fiveminutesofflotationRESTtherapy.Theremainingfloatsessionsweredecidedonbytheparticipants,undertheconditionthattheywouldparticipateinthesesessionsatleastonceeveryotherweek.Additionally,twointerviewswereconducted:onehalfwaythroughtheprogramandtheotherattheconclusionoftheprogram.AccordingtoAslenofetal.fourmainthemesemergedduringthecourseofthestudy,including:thetherapeuticworkmodel,thetransformationofemotions,self-awareness,andmeaningoflife(2007,pg.263).
8
Theworkmodelconsistedofthegroup,conversation,andpicturetherapyincombinationwithflotationREST.Therelationshipbetweentheworkmodelandtheremainingthemesisexpressedinfigureone:
AnexcerptfromthestudydoesagoodjobofexplainingtheroleofflotationRESTwithinthetherapeuticworkmodel:
Afterademandingtherapeuticconversation,theclienthadtheopportunitytogothroughwhathadtakenplaceduringtheconversationaltherapyinarelaxedstateintheflotationtank.Observationsfrequentlyreoccurredinboththeinterviewsandthejournalsthat“insightintotheconversationaltherapybecomesclearerwhenyoulieintheflotationtank.”Theflotationtankwasasafeplacewheretheclientsperceivedthatfearandanxietydisappeared,aconditionwhichwascharacterizedbytrustandbeliefinthefuture.Theclientscameintoclosecontactwiththemselves,bothmentallyandphysically.Feelingsandthoughtsemergedinpowerfuldescriptivepictureswhichopenednewperspectivesandattitudes.(Aslenofetal.,2007,pg.263)
Theeffectofthefloattankonthementalandphysicalwasalsodiscussedinthecontextoftheworkmodel:
Anotherobservationwhichcanbemadeinconnectionwiththeworkmodelisthatthelinkbetweenthementalandthephysicalisreinforced.Thesaltwater,whichproducedasenseofweightlessnessandfreedom,andthesilenceincreasethefeelingofreallybeinginone’sbody.Theclientsheartheirpulseandbecomeawareofeverypartoftheirbody.Breathingbecomesamajorinstrumentforkeepingone’sbalance.Painemergesfirstandthenslowlydiminishes.Aninteractionbetweenbodyandsoulisinitiatedandresultsinphysicalandmentalhealing(Aslenof,2007,pg.264).
Thesecondthemethatemergedduringthecourseofthestudywasthetransformationoffeelings.Bothparticipantsfeltfeelingsoffear,whichcausedthemworryandanxiety(pg.265).Theworkmodelwasapowerfultooltotransformthesefeelings,whichwasexplainedthusly:
Figure8.(Aslenofetal.,2007)
9
Theconversationaltherapywasthefirststepfortheclientstowarddealingwithanunpleasantfeelingthathadcausedworryandanxietyoveralongperiod.Thesafetyandcalmoftheflotationtankmadeitpossibletoconfronttheseunpleasantfeelingsandalsotoputafacetothem,todaretolookatthem.Paintingpicturesaftertheflotationhelpedtoimproveself-insightandprovideanopportunitytostepoutsidethedifficultiesandchooseabetteralternative.Thejournalwritingwasafurtherhelpinreflectingontheprocess(Aslenofetal.,2007,pg.265).
Thethirdthemethatemergedduringthecourseofthestudywasself-insight.Theparticipantsexperiencedahigherlevelofself-insightandmuchofthiswasattributedtothetimespentinthefloattank.Relaxationinthefloattankallowedeachparticipanttoincreasebodilyawarenessandbreakingrainedpatternsofthinking(Aslenofetal.,2007,pg.266).Thefloattank(withthesupportoftheotheraspectsoftheworkmodel)seemstohavegiventheparticipantsaplacewheretheirphysicalandmentalpainbecamemoreobjectiveandlessthreatening.Itwascommentedbyoneparticipantthat,”Iamsafeintheflotationtankfromallevil.Itfeelslikegoingintosafetyandclosingthedoor”(Aslenofetal.,2007,pg.265).
Thefinalthemethatemergedduringthecourseofthestudywasmeaning.Theworkmodelwaseffectiveingivingtheparticipantsanewmeaningtotheirillness.AccordingtoAslenofetal.theparticipantsrecordedthat,”theillnesshasgiventhemgreaterrespectandunderstandingforotherpeopleandhaschangedtheirrelationstothoseclosesttothem”(2007,pg.267).
Overallthisprogramwasverysuccessful,thanksinparttoflotationREST.Aftereighteenmonthsafollowupwasconducted.Theparticipantswereoffsickleaveandatjobstheyfoundmeaningful.AccordingtoAslenofetal.theparticipantsweredoingmuchbetterwiththeirphysicalandmentalailmentsaswell:
Theirdailyanxietyhadgone,temperaturechangesintheirbodieswerelessfrequent,andtheirvariousachesandpainshaddisappearedorhadbeendramaticallyreducedatthesametimeastheyhadstoppedtakingmedication.Oneoftheclientsobservedthatshehaddifficultyinrememberinghowillshehadbeenandthereforeshesometimestookoutherjournaljusttoremindherselfhowdifficultlifehadbeen(2007,pg.270).
TheresearchshowsthatflotationRESTcanbeagreathelptoindividualslookingtoimproveontheiroverallwell-being.ApowerfulaspectofflotationRESTmethodisthatitcanhelpawiderangeofindividuals,frompeoplelookingtogetabetternightsresttoindividualssufferingfrommajormentalandphysicalillnesses.
AthleticPerformance/Recovery
Asmallimprovementinaparticularskillcanmakeallthedifferenceforathleteslookingtobecomethebestintheirchosensport.FlotationRESTprovidesanenvironmentwhichisconducivetofinetuningskillsdevelopedbyathletes,helpingthempushbeyondtheirperceivedceiling.Inaddition,flotationRESTcanaidintherecoveryprocess,givinganathleteanedgebetweencontests.
10
SuedfeldandBruno(1990)conductedanexperiment,whichwasdesignedtotesttheeffectofflotationRESTandimageryonfoulshootingability.Thirtyuniversitystudentsweresplitevenlyintothreedifferenttreatmentgroupsincluding:flotationREST,alphachair(specialrelaxationchair),andcontrol(armchair).Allstudentschosenforthestudyplayedbasketballoccasionallyornotatall.Thestudywasconductedoverthreedays:dayoneforpretests,daytwofortreatment,anddaythreeforposttesting.Ondaytwotheparticipantslistenedtoataperecordingguidingthemthroughmultisensoryimageryofbasketballfoulshootingintheirtreatmentenvironment.
Theresultsofthisstudyshowedsignificantdifferencesonlyontheposttest.AccordingtoSuedfeldandBruno,“theRESTgroup(M=11.5)madesignificantlymorebasketsthaneitherthealphas(M=7)orthecontrols(M=6.7)”(1990,pg.84).Additionally,thepre-topost-testchangeswere+37%(flotationREST),+13%(alpha),and-11%(control)(Suedfeld&Bruno,1990,pg.84).
Wagmanetal.(1990)conductedastudythatlookedattheeffectofflotationRESTonhighlevelcollegebasketballplayers(Divisionone).Twenty-twostudentsweresplitintotwoseparateconditions:alphachair(normalrelaxationmethod)andflotationREST.Participantsinbothconditionswereexposedtoimagerytrainingwhileintheirrespectivetreatmentenvironments.Thestudywasconductedoverathreeweekperiod,witheachathleteexposedtosixtreatmentsessions.
PERFscoreswereusedtomeasuretheperformanceoftheathletesinbothconditions.Thesescoresarederivedfromaformula,whichawardspositivepoints(eg.successfulpassingorshooting)ornegativepoints(eg.foulingortravelling)(Wagmanetal.,1991,pg.120).PERFscoreswerecollected11gamespriortostudy,duringthestudyandfivegamesaftercompletion.
TheresultsshowedthattheRESTgroupscoredsignificantlyhigheronperformance(M=15.8)thanthealphachairgroup(M=11.2)(Wagmanetal.,1991,pg.121).Inaddition,theresearchersfoundasignificantimprovementinperformancewhenaparticipantexperiencedtwoRESTsessions(M=26.0)betweengamesasopposedtoone(M=15.8)(Wagmanetal.,1991,pg.121).
McAleneyetal.(1990)lookedattheeffectofflotationRESTinthecontextoftennisperformance.Twentystudentsparticipatedinthestudy(tenmenandtenwomen),allfromPAC-10colleges.ThemethodofthisstudywasverysimilartothestudyconductedbyWagmanetalin1991.
Theresultsshowedasignificantdifferenceinfirstserviceresultsintheposttreatment.TheRESTgrouphadameanresultof2.55firstservicewinners,whereasthecontrolgroupshowedameanscoreof0.67(McAleneyetal,1990,pg.1027).
Inadditiontoenhancedperformance,flotationRESThasapositiveeffectontherecoveryprocess.Morganetal.(2013)conductedastudy,whichattemptedtouncovertheeffectofflotationRESTonkneeextensionandflexion,bloodlactate,heartrate,perceived
11
exertionandperceivedpain(pg.5).TheresearchersemployedatypicalflotationRESTstudy,usingaRESTandnon-RESTgrouptocompareresults.Theresultswerederivedfromstrenuouskneeextensionandflexionexercises.ThedatashowedthatflotationRESTloweredbloodlactatetwenty-fivepercentcomparedtothecontrolcondition(Morganetal.,2013,pg.14).Inaddition,theresearchfoundthatparticipantsfeltlessperceivedpainintheflotationRESTcondition(Morganetal.,2013,pg.16).
MeditativeStates
Meditativestatesarecharacterizedbycertaintypesofbrainwaveactivity,specificallyalphaandthetastatebrainwaves.Alphawavesarebetween8-12Hzandareoftenassociatedwithfeelingsofrelaxationandcalmness.Thetawavesarebetween4-7Hzandareassociatedwithadrowsy,dreamlikestate.AccordingtoHutchison(1984,pg.53)humansgeneratethetawaves,“atleasttwiceperday:inthosefleetinginstantswhenwedriftfromconsciousdrowsinessintosleep,andagainwhenwerisefromsleeptoconsciousnessasweawaken”.
Researchsuggeststhattheenvironmentcreatedbythefloattankishelpfulintermsofinducingalphaandthetastatebrainwaves.Forexample,astudydonebyTaylor(1990)lookedattheeffectflotationRESThadonlearningusingEEGmeasurements.ThestudywasconductedusingatypicalflotationRESTmethod(RESTandnon-RESTconditions).Inadditiontoresultsrelatedtolearning,TayloralsofoundthattheflotationRESTconditioninducedlowfrequencywavesmoreoftenthanthenon-RESTcondition(Taylor,1990,pg.131).Zubek(ascitedinHutchison,1984,pg.56)foundsimilarresultsinhisresearch“EEGchangesinperceptualandsensorydeprivation”reportingthatthetawavesbecamemoreprominent.
FlotationRESThasalsobeenknowntoinducealteredstatesofconsciousnessinsomeparticipants.Kjellgrenetal.(2008,pg.652)conductedastudywhichrecordeddifferentexperiencesrelatedtoalteredstates.Someexamplesinclude:“visualimagery,acoustic,perceptualphenomena,analteredsenseoftime,achangedbodilysense,perinatalexperiencesofthefetalstageandbirth,andeventranspersonalexperiences”.
PainManagement
Injuriesthatcausechronicpainaretypicallytreatedwithdrugs,physiotherapy,massagetherapy,acupuncture,hydrotherapy,orcognitivebehaviourtherapy(Edeboletal.,2008,pg.481).Whiledrugsareconsideredtobethemosteffectiveoptionintermsofpainalleviation,manycomewithharmfulsideeffectsthatcausetheindividualseparatehealthissues.Alternativetherapiesarelessharmfultootherfunctionsofthebody;howevertheyarealsolesseffectiveintermsofmanagingthepain.ResearchsuggeststhatflotationRESTisaneffectivepainmanagementmethod;althoughitisnotentirelyclearwhyitworks.
Edeboletal.(2008)conductedastudy,whichfocusedontheshorttermeffectsofflotationRESTonindividualssufferingfromchronicwhiplashassociateddisorder(WAD).Sevenindividualsparticipatedinthestudy,whichrequiredthemtofloatatleastonceaweekforforty-fiveminutes.
12
Theresultsfromthisstudyareprimarilyexperiential;howeveraccountsfrommultipleparticipantsdemonstratetheeffectivenessoftheflotationRESTmethodformanagingthisparticularcondition.Oneparticipantremarked:
IfeellikeIhavebecomebetter.Ihaven’treadmuchaboutthis,IhavemostlytrieditandIwalkaroundtellingeverybody,“Ifyouareinpain,goandliedown,itissonice,itiscompletelywonderful.”Ithinkithasbecomemuchbetterafterthis,Idon’tfeelthepainasmuchasbefore(Edeboletal.,2008,pg.485).
AcasestudywasreportedbyRoganetal.in2001,whichlookedattheeffectofflotationRESTandspinalmanipulationonlowerbackpain.Atwenty-sixyearoldfemalewasthesubjectforthisstudy.Theparticipantwaspainfreeafterfourweeksoftreatmentandremainedpainfreeafterathreemonthfollow-up(Roganetal.,2001,pg.29).
AccordingtoEdeboletal.(2008)flotationRESTiscomparativelymoreeffectivethanotheralternativesintermsofmanagingchronicinjuriesfromaholisticstandpoint.Theabilityofthefloattanktosuccessfullymanagethephysiologicalpainassociatedwithchronicinjuries,aswellasmental/emotionalpainmakesitaninterestingalternativetodrugsandothermethods.
6.1.2RelevancetoCurrentSocialSustainabilityInitiatives
Consideringthatthefloattankisarelativelynewandnoveltechniqueforachievingimprovedhumanhealthandwellness,theremustbeconcreteconnectionsmadebetweenfloatingandcurrentsocialsustainabilityinitiativesofferedoncampus.Theseconnections(supportedbytheresearch)makethevalueoffloatingclearerinthecontextofcampuslifeattheUniversityofWinnipeg.
TheUniversityofWinnipegalreadyoffersavarietyofservicesandinitiativesrelatedtohumanhealthandwellness,including:stressmanagementinitiatives(examtherapydogs,readingweek),awellnesscentre(whichincludescounsellingservicesandaKlinic),anathleticsdepartment,andmindfulnessmeditationsessions.Floatingcanserveasasupportfor,oranextensionof,theservicesalreadyavailabletostudentsoncampus.
Firstly,floatingcouldhelpalleviategeneralstudentstress.Studentsoftensufferfromhighstresslevelswhileatuniversity,specificallyaroundexamtime.Oftentimesitishardtotakeahighqualitybreakfromthechronicstressorsthataccompanystudentlife,especiallywiththeincreasingrelianceontechnology.Afloattankcouldbeusedasanadditionalstressmanagementtooltohelpstudentslowertheirstresslevelsandultimatelyhelpthemachievetheiracademicgoals.
Floatinghasproventomakeadifferenceintheoverallwell-beingofindividualssufferingfromanxietyanddepression,specificallywithrepeatedexposure.Floatingasanalternativehealingmethodformentalillnesscouldbeanassettothestaffincounsellingservices.Ourmentalhealthprofessionalscouldpotentiallyreferorrecommendstudentstoexperienceasessioninthefloattank,assomethingtoaidwiththeirillness.Positiveoutcomesfromfloatingcouldpotentiallyenhancesubsequentsessionswiththestaffincounselling
13
services,tohelpaidthesestudentsmoreeffectively.Incontrast,floatingcouldalsobeusedasaself-helptoolforindividualslesscomfortablewithcounselling.
Thereareadvantagestofloatingfromanathleticperspectiveaswell.Wesmenathleteswouldbetheprimarybeneficiariesofthefloattankfromthisperspective,duetotheirhighlevelofskillandfrequencyofexercise.However,anyindividualwhoparticipatesinsomeformofexercisecantakeadvantageoftheenvironmentthefloattankcreatestokeeptheirbodyfresh,relaxed,andreadytoperform.
Floatingasameditativeaidhasalsoproventobeeffective.Theminimalstimulationcreatedbythefloattankallowsforalevelofstillnessthatmaybemoredifficultforsometoreachinanormalsensoryenvironment.Accesstoafloattankcouldhelpindividualsdeepentheirmeditativepracticewhileoncampus,contributingtotheiroverallwell-being.Inaddition,floatingforthepurposeofmeditationwouldbeagoodextensionofthemindfulnessmeditationsessionsalreadyofferedoncampus.
Thefloattankasapainmanagementtoolcouldalsobeanextensionoftheservicesofferedbythecampusclinic.AsmoreresultsbecomeavailableinthisparticularareaofflotationRESTresearch,staffinthecliniccouldusethefloattankasanoptionforindividualssufferingfrominjuryrelatedpain.Inaddition,thefloattankcouldbeusedasaself-helptoolforindividualswhoareinterestedin,or,whoarealreadycomfortablewiththismethodofpainmanagement.
6.1.3OtherBenefits
Enhancedlearning,enhancedcreativity,andmagnesiumabsorptionarealldocumentedintheliteratureasbenefitsassociatedwithflotationREST.Samplesofresearchresultsfoundintheliteratureintheseparticularareasaresharedbelow.
EnhancedLearning
Taylor(1990)lookedattheeffectofflotationRESTonlearning.Theresearchersrecruited109femaleundergraduatestudents,aged18-22,allofwhomwereenrolledinasecondyearchemistryclass.These109studentswerethenputthroughapre-testingphase,withthefortystudentswiththehighestscoreschosenfortheremainderofthestudy.ThestudentswerethensplitevenlyintotheRESTandnon-RESTconditions.Allfortystudentswentthroughthesamepre-learningprocess.StudentswouldbeaskedaseriesofquestionsrelatingtochemistryinaFaradaycage,whilehookeduptoanEEGmachine.Aftercompletionofthepre-learningprocess,studentswouldbebroughttotheirlearningenvironment(RESTornon-REST).Bothenvironmentsplayedarecordingofthequestionsaskedinthepre-learningcondition,givingeachsubjecttheopportunitytoreflectonthecorrectanswerstoeachquestion.TheparticipantswerethentakenbacktotheFaradayroomforthepost-learningtesting.
Taylor(1990,pg.132)cametotwosignificantconclusions.Firstly,hefoundthat,“Thetotalamountoflearningpersubjectwasgreateramongthefloatinggroupthanamongthe
14
non-floatingcontrolgroup”.Additionally,hefoundthatthedegreeoflearningintheflotationRESTconditionwashighercomparedtothenon-RESTconditionwhenthedifficultyofthequestionwasgreater.
EnhancedCreativity
AstudydonebySuedfeldetal.(1987)testedtheeffectofflotationRESTonscientificcreativity.SevenfulltimefacultymembersattheUniversityofBritishColumbiaparticipatedinthestudy.Eachfacultymemberwasinstructedtogenerateideasrelatedtotheirworkintwodifferentenvironments,including:OFFICE(personaloffice)andflotationREST.Dataanalysiswasbasedonfoursessionsineachofthetwoenvironments.
Themainhypothesisofthisstudywassupported:newideasgeneratedduringRESTwereratedasmorecreativethanthoseoriginatinginOFFICEsessions(Suedfeldetal.,1987,pg.226).
MagnesiumAbsorption
TheEpsomsaltsusedinthefloattankareagreatsourceofmagnesium,whichisanessentialcomponentofthebody.
Magnesium:
• Isanimportantfactorinmusclerelaxationandhearthealth• Allowsnervestosendmessagesinthebrainandnervoussystem• Aidsandregulatesthebody’suseofcalciumandotherminerals• Assistsinboneandteethformation• Regulatesthemetabolismofnutrientssuchasprotein,nucleicacids,fatsandcarbohydrates• Regulatescholesterolproductionandhelpsmodulateinsulinsensitivity• Assistsinenergyproduction,DNAtranscriptionandproteinsynthesis• Maintainsthestructuralhealthofcellmembranesthroughoutthebody
(Enviromedica,2015)
6.2Feasibility
6.2.1Sanitation
ThefiltrationsystemthatisincludedwiththefloattankistheprimarymethodofkeepingtheEpsomsaltsaturatedwaterclean,butitisalsohighlyrecommendedthataUVlightbeusedasanadditionalmeasure.ManitobaHealthhaslaidoutspecificguidelinesregardingwaterchemistryandbacterialsamplingaswell(seeAppendixB).
15
6.2.2SpaceandLocation
Theamountofspaceneededforafloatroomisdependentonthetypeoftankpurchased,thepositioningofthefiltrationsystem(seeAppendixA),andthespaceallocatedfortheshower.Ashowerisnotamandatoryfeatureofafloatroom;however,theownersofFloat.CalmhighlyrecommendthatashowerbelocatedinthesameroomduetothecorrosivenessoftheEpsomsaltsolution.
Estimateswerecalculatedforeachofthethreefloattanksdiscussedprior(Samadhi,Oasis,andi-sopod).Spaceisallocatedforthefloattank,filtrationsystem(ifnecessary),andshower.Themostspaciousoptionisconsideredforeachestimate.Additionalspaceforchangingclothesisalsotakenintoaccount.
1. Samadhia. Tank=29sqftb. Filtrationsystem=8sqftc. Shower=16sqftd. Changespace=60sqfte. Total=113sqft
2. Oasisa. Tank=39sqftb. Filtrationsystem=8sqftc. Shower=16sqftd. Changespace=68sqfte. Total=131sqft
3. i-sopoda. Tank=42sqftb. Shower=16sqftc. Changespace=74sqftd. Total=133sqft
TheideallocationforafloatcentreoncampusisintheDuckworthbuilding,andinfactatpresentthereisemptyspacetherethatisverypromising(1D10).Therearethreespecificreasonswhythislocationishighlysuitable.
Firstly,itiscurrentlynotinuseforthepurposeofteachingclassesorotherwise.Acquiringspaceoncampustohousethefloattank(s)isoneofthemostchallengingissuesrelatingtotheoverallfeasibilityoftheproject,sothisisanimportantspacetokeepinmind.
Secondly,1D10islocatedafewfeetawayfromtheDuckworthreceptionarea.Regardlessoflocation,staffwillbeneededtomaintainthetanksandalsotakecareofbookings.Thereceptiondeskmakesthislocationahugeassetprovidingitisfeasibleforthestaffatthereceptiondesktotakecareoftheseduties.
16
Lastly,1D10islocatedonthesamefloorasthenewcampuswellnesscentre.Itwouldbeanaddedperktohaveafloatcentrelocatedclosetothewellnesscentre,astheycomplementoneanother.
OtherrequirementsrelatedtofacilityconstructioncanbefoundinAppendixB.
6.2.3Cost
CostList
1. Initialcostsa. Construction(plumbing,flooring,soundproofingetc.)b. Tanks
i. Samadhi-$11,000-$14,950USDplusshipping(pricedependsonpackage)
ii. Oasis-$10,810USDplusshipping(typicalorderaccordingtotheirwebsite)
iii. i-sopod-$25,000-$30,000USDplusshippingc. Epsomsaltsd. Brominee. Waterchemicals-muriaticacidorsodiumbisulphatef. Watertestingsuppliesg. Towels
2. Runningcostsa. Epsomsalts(replaceeverysixmonthsor1000floats)b. Electricity/chemicals-$30-$40USDweeklyaccordingtoi-sopod(confirmedasa
validestimatebyFloat.Calm)c. Waterd. Laundrye. Watertestingsupplies
CostEstimate
Thisestimateisforoneroom,usingtheOasisfloattank.AllpricesareconvertedtoCanadiandollars(1USD=.76CDN).
1. Initialcosts
a. Construction-$100-$200persqft(estimatefromFloat.Calm)b. Tank-$14,086plusshippingc. Epsomsalts-$711.67plusshippingfor1050poundsd. Bromine-$106.99for7kge. Muriaticacid-$12.99for4litresf. phtestingkit-$9.99g. Towels-towelserviceoncampus
Total=$27,508-$40,008plusshipping
17
2. Runningcosts
a. Electricity/Chemicals-$157.56-$210.12monthlyb. Laundry-$75monthlyc. Epsomsalts-$711.67plusshippingevery6monthsor1000floatsd. phtestingkit-$9.99x2=19.98monthly
Total=$3,742.15-$4,372.87annuallyplusshipping
6.3FeasibleNextSteps
AnimportantnextstepoftheUWinnipegfloattankprojectisastudent,faculty,andstaffengagementprocess,whichwouldhelpdeterminethedemandand/orwillingnesstopayforthistypeofserviceoncampus.Apilotquestionnairehasbeenconstructedtogettheballrollinginthisregard(seeAppendixC).
Anotherrelevantnextstepistoconsiderotherpotentiallocationsforafloatcentreoncampusandtoanalyzethecosts/benefitsassociatedwiththesespaces.Additionalworkcouldbedonetofurtheranalyzethecosts/benefitsofeachdifferenttypeoffloattanktogiveamorecomprehensiveideaofthestrengthsandweaknessesofeachmodel.Inextension,moreworkcouldbeputintoestimatingcostsforafloatroomusingeachtypeoffloattank.Arecommendationbasedonthisanalysiscouldbemadetomakeapurchasedecisionaneasierprocesswhen/ifthetimecomes.
Importantupdatesintheareaofresearchshouldalsobereportedwhennecessary.
6.4ConcludingComments
ThefirsttimeItriedfloatingIwasinaweofhowbeneficialtheexperiencewastomyownphysicalandmentalwell-being.IoriginallytrieditinDecemberof2015duringanextremelychaoticperiodinmylife,oneofthoseperiodswhereyourworldseemstobefallingapartfasterthanyoucanputitbacktogether.ThatfirstexperienceshiftedmyperspectiveinsuchapositivemannerthatIhadtolearnmoreabouttheexperience.Luckily,IstumbleduponauniqueopportunitytolearnmuchmorethanIenvisionedinourCampusSustainabilityclass.ThisclassallowedmetopursueapassionofmineandalsoapplywhatIwaslearningtoaninstitutionIhavebeenapartofforfiveyears.Iwasabletolearnalotaboutthepotentialofthefloattankinthecontextofourcampus,whichIfoundexcitingandrewarding.
AlthoughtherewillbemanychallengesassociatedwiththeintroductionofafloatcentreattheUniversityofWinnipeg,thisprojectisagreatfirststepintermsofunderstandinghowmuchvalueitwouldaddtoourcampus.Itseemslikeanaturalfitasitsupportsmultipledimensionsofsocialsustainability,whiletheproductitselffunctionsinasustainablemanner.IamsogratefultohavehadthisopportunityandIamhopefulthefloattankprojectwillextendintothefuture!
18
AppendixA
(SamadhiTankCoInc.,2014)
19
AppendixB
Health Protection Unit 5th Floor, 408 Booth Drive Winnipeg MB Canada R3J 3R7 T 204-945-4204 F 204-948-3727 www.manitoba.ca
Flotation Tank (Sensory Deprivation Tank) Checklist Facility Construction ¨ Flooring is constructed of seamless, non-slip, smooth, impervious and durable material ¨Floor material is coved 10 cm (4 inches) up the wall and sealed.¨ Adequate drainage in the floor (with appropriate slope) ¨ All wall and ceiling surfaces are smooth, non-absorbent, non-porous, and easily cleanable. ¨ Ground fault circuit interrupters present for all electrical outlets. ¨ Janitorial sink in facility ¨ Adequate ventilation installed in accordance with the Manitoba Building Code. ¨ Showers equipped with liquid soap and shampoo for client use ¨ Washroom(s) provided equipped with toilet, hand sink with running hot and cold water, liquid hand soap, paper towels, and garbage bin. ¨ First Aid Kit containing articles listed in Schedule B of the Swimming Pools and Other Water Recreational Facilities Regulation (MR 132/97). Spine board not required for Flotation Tanks ¨ Readily accessible telephone ¨ Lighting system that will maintain, at any point on the deck and the pool water surface, an illumination of not less than 200 lx ¨ Instantaneous automatic emergency lighting source to facilitate prompt evacuation in case of a power outage. ¨ No smoking signs are displayed clearly
¨ Signs posted in a conspicuous location instructing clients to use washroom facilities and to take a shower with soap and shampoo prior to entering float tanks.
Float Tank Construction ¨ All tank surfaces within the flotation tank basin are non-slip, easily cleanable, non-absorbent, non- porous, mould resistant material ¨ Stairs leading into and out of the float tank are non-slip and well marked ¨ Handrails are that are securely fastened and corrosion resistant are supplied for stairs that consist of 3 risers or more ¨ Stairs are non-slip and well marked ¨ Cross-connection control devices installed in accordance with Manitoba Plumbing Code. ¨ Tank shall be equipped with bottom drain, connected to the sanitary sewer through a backflow prevention device to allow complete draining for cleaning and disinfecting. ¨ Placement of tank inlet and outlet are located to provide effective circulation and skimming when the recirculation system is in operation. ¨ Recirculation system is capable of automatic filtration and disinfection when the recirculation system is in operation. ¨ Adequate air intake and exhaust vent in tank
20
¨ Emergency egress from float tank possible ¨ Sufficient clearance for emergency access (1.3 m arc from the point of entry) ¨ Automatic high temperature limit cut off switch that limits the maximum water temperature to 40ºC that is not accessible to clients. Water Chemistry ¨ Water chemistry test kit(s) (i.e. pool test kits) onsite Type _______________________ ¨ Thermometer(s) available ¨ Water tested frequently for the following: ¨ Free Chlorine Level (3 ppm – 5 ppm) ¨Combined Chlorine Level (< 1.5 ppm)
¨Total Bromine Level (2 ppm – 6 ppm)
¨ pH Level (7.2 – 7.8)¨ Supplementary Disinfection Type _______________________¨ Total Coliform (< 1 CFU/100 ml) ¨ Pseudomonas aeruginosa (< 1 CFU/100 ml) ¨ Frequency of water chemistry tested daily (prior to each client use, or every 2-3 hours) ¨ Frequency of bacterial sampling for total coliform and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (samples submitted to an accredited lab every 3 months for analysis) ¨ Log of daily record sheets kept up to date and onsite includes, but not limited to the following:
• Dates, times and results of all pH tests done, • Dates, times and results of all tests done to measure disinfectant residual levels and
combined chlorine residual levels, • Dates, times and results of all bacterial analyses, • Dates, times and results of any other tests that may be taken from time to time. • Dates and times of chemical addition or maintenance completed • Dates and times of fecal/urine incidents and actions taken to deal with the incidents • Daily humidity readings in each room
¨ Recirculation system achieves 4 turnovers between each client. ¨ Recirculation system remains operational overnight and whenever clients are not utilizing the tank Sanitation Plan ¨ Written Sanitation Plan in place ¨ Protocol in place for handling fecal/urine incident ¨ Floors, walls, counters and equipment are clean, sanitary and in good repair
¨ Interior surfaces of the floatation tank are disinfected with a low level disinfectant ¨ Soaps are single-use ¨ Facility is free of pests Operational Requirements ¨ Facility is clean, tidy, and free of clutter ¨ Staff trained in the maintenance of equipment ¨ Staff trained in testing of the water (daily, frequency, in between clients) ¨ Written Operational Guideline in place and followed by staff which includes but is not limited to the following:
• Testing Water • Cleaning & Maintaining Filters • Maintaining Sanitation of the Flotation tank & Surrounding Area
¨ Staff trained to educate clients (written procedures should be available and/or posted) Equipment ¨ Equipment has regular scheduled maintenance (if applicable) ¨ Filters are checked, maintained (cleaned) and replaced regularly, or as needed ¨ Equipment is approved for distribution and use in Canada ¨ Equipment is UL and/or NSF certified
21
Clientele Education ¨ Safety Procedures
• Emergency • How to enter and exit • Safety features • Safety measures
¨ Personal Hygiene
• Requirement of the client to shower with soap and shampoo before (and after) the float session • Exclude clients who are ill, have any skin diseases, infectious respiratory diseases, epilepsy,
asthma, under the influence of substance, or have cause for concern for use of equipment ¨ Other
• Instructions on rinsing salt out of eyes Documentation Kept Onsite (Reviewed by Staff Routinely) ¨ Sanitation Plan ¨ Operational Guideline ¨ Protocol in place for handling fecal/urine incident ¨ Safety Procedures – Emergency Response containing information including, but not limited to the information specified in Appendix C.1 of the Swimming Pools and Other Water Recreational Facilities Regulation (MR 132/97). ¨ Safety procedures – Clientele Education ¨ Personal Hygiene – Clientele Education ¨ Record Sheets for the following:
¨ Daily Water Chemistry Testing (prior to each client use, or every 4 hours) ¨ Scheduled Cleaning and Maintenance ¨ Fecal/Urine Incidents
¨ Other: __________________________________________________________________________ COMMENTS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
22
AppendixC
• Areyoufamiliarwiththefunctionandbenefitsofafloattank?(Y/N)o Ifno,areyouinterestedinlearningmore?(Y/N)
• Haveyoutriedfloatingbefore?(Y/N)o Ifno,wouldyoubeinterested?(Y/N)o Ifyes,wouldyoudoitagain?(Y/N)o Ifyouhavetriedorareinterestedinfloating,whatisorwhatwouldbeyour
primarymotivation?§ Relaxation/stressreduction§ Enhancedwell-being§ Athleticperformance/recovery§ Meditation§ Other:
• Ifcostwasnotanissue,howmanytimesamonthwouldyoufloat?o 1-2o 3-4o 5-6o 7+
• Howmuchwouldyoubewillingtopayforamonthlyfloatmembership?o $1-$20o $21-$40o $41-$60o $61+o Iwouldn’tpayforamonthlyfloatmembership
• Howmanytimesamonthwouldyoufloatwithamonthlymembership?o 1-2o 3-4o 5-6o 7+o Iwouldn’tpayforamonthlyfloatmembership
• Howmuchwouldyoubewillingtopayperfloatoncampus?o $1-$10o $11-$20o $21-$30o $31-$40o $41+o Iwouldn’tpayforafloat
• Howmanytimesamonthwouldyoufloatatyourchosenwillingnesstopayoption?o 1-2o 3-4o 5-6o 7+o Iwouldn’tpayforafloat
23
Bibliography
Asenlof,K.,Olsson,S.,Bood,S.,&Norlander,T.(2006-2007).CaseStudiesonFibromyalgiaandBurn-outDepressionusingPsychotherapyinCombinationwithFlotationREST:PersonalityDevelopmentandIncreasedWell-being.Imagination,Cognition,andPersonality,259-271.
Barabasz,A.,Barabasz,M.,&Bauman,J.(1993).RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechniqueImprovesHumanPerformance:RifleMarksmanship.PerceptualandMotorSkills,867-873.
Bood,S.A.,Sundequist,U.,Kjellgren,A.,Nordstrom,G.,&Norlander,T.(2007).EffectsofFlotationREST(RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechnique)onStressRelatedMusclePain:Are33FlotationSessionsMoreEffectivethan12Sessions?SocialBehaviourandPersonality,143-156.
Bood,S.A.,Sundequist,U.,Kjellgren,A.,Norlander,T.,Nordstrom,L.,Nordenstrom,...Nordstrom,G.(2006).ElicitingtheRelaxtionResponseWiththeHelpofFlotationREST(RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechnique)inPatientswithStress-RelatedAilments.InternationalJournalofStressManagement,154-175.
Bood,S.,Kjellgren,A.,&Norlander,T.(2009).Treatingstressrelatedpainwiththeflotationrestrictedenvironmentalstimulationtechnique:Aretheredifferencesbetweenwomenandmen?PainResearchandManagement,293-298.
Edebol,H.,Bood,S.,&Norlander,T.(2008).ChronicWhiplash-AssociatedDisordersandTheirTreatmentUsingFlotationREST(RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechnique).QualitativeHealthResearch,480-488.
Enviromedica.(2015).BenefitsofMagnesium.RetrievedfromAncientMinerals:http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/
FloatationLocations.(2016).UnitedStatesFloatTankLocations.Retrievedfromhttp://floatationlocations.com/category/united-states/
Forgays,D.G.,&Forgays,D.K.(1992).CreativityEnhancementthroughFlotationIsolation.JournalofEnvironmentalPsychology,329-335.
Hutchison,M.(1984).TheBookofFloating.NewYork:Quill.
Jacobs,G.D.,Heilbronner,R.L.,&Stanley,J.M.(1984).TheEffectsofShortTermFlotationRESTonRelaxation:AControlledStudy.HealthPsychology,99-112.
24
Kjellgren,A.,Buhrkall,H.,&Norlander,T.(2010).PsychotheraputicTreatmentinCombinationwithRelaxationinaFlotationTank:Effectson"Burn-OutSyndrome".TheQualitativeReport,1243-1269.
Kjellgren,A.,Lyden,F.,&Norlander,T.(2008).SensoryIsolationinFlotationTanks:AlteredStatesofConsciousnessandEffectsonWell-being.TheQualitiativeReport,636-656.
Kjellgren,A.,Sundequist,U.,Sundholm,U.,&Norlander,T.(2004).AlteredConsciousnessinFlotation-RESTandChamber-REST:ExperienceofExperimentalPainandSubjectiveStress.SocialBehaviourandPersonality,103-116.
McAleney,P.J.,Barabasz,A.,&Barabasz,M.(1990).EffectsofFlotationRestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationonIntercollegiateTennisPerformance.PerceptualandMotorSkills,1023-1028.
Morgan,P.M.,Salacinski,A.J.,&Stults-Kolehmainen,M.A.(2013).TheAcuteEffectsofFlotationRestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechniqueonRecoveryFromMaximalEccentricExercise.JournalofStrengthandConditioningResearch,3-23.
Norlander,T.,Bergman,H.,&Archer,T.(1998).EffectsofFlotationRESTonCreativeProblemSolvingandOriginality.JournalofEnvironmentalPsychology,399-408.
Norlander,T.,Bergman,H.,&Archer,T.(2008).Primaryprocessincompetitivearcheryperformance:EffectsofflotationREST.JournalofAppliedSportPsychology,1533-1571.
Norlander,T.,Kjellgren,A.,&Archer,T.(2000-2001).TheExperienceofFlotationRESTasaFunctionofSettingandPreviousExperienceofAlteredStateofConsciousness.Imagination,Cognition,andPersonality,161-178.
Oaklander,M.(2016).FloatHopes.RetrievedfromTime:http://time.com/floating/
OasisRelaxationSystems.(2014).ModelsandPricing.Retrievedfromhttp://www.oasisrelaxation.com/pricing.htm
Rogan,A.,Morris,T.,&Gibbons,P.(2001).PainManagementinosteopathicmedicine:TheefficacyofflotationRESTasanadjuncttospinalmanipulationforacutenon-specificlowbackpain.Acasereport.JournalofOsteopathicMedicine,25-30.
SamadhiTankCoInc.(2014).Owning.RetrievedfromSamadhi:http://www.samadhitank.com/owning.html
25
Seudfeld,P.,&Borrie,R.A.(1999).HealthandTheraputicApplicationsofChamberandFlotationRestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTherapy(REST).PsychologyandHealth,545-566.
Suedfeld,P.,&Bruno,T.(1990).FlotationRESTandImageryintheImprovementofAthleticPerformance.JournalofSportandExercisePsychology,82-85.
Suedfeld,P.,&Eich,E.(1995).AutobiographicalMemoryandAffectUnderConditionsofReducedEnvironmentalStimulation.JournalofEnvironmentalPsychology,321-326.
Suedfeld,P.,Metcalfe,J.,&Black,S.(1987).EnhancementofScientificCreativitybyFlotationREST(RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechnique).JournalofEnvironmentalPsychology,219-231.
Suedfeld,P.,Roy,C.,&Landon,P.B.(1982).RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTherapyintheTreatmentofEssentialHypertension.BehaviourResearchandTherapy,553-559.
Taylor,T.(1990).TheEffectsofFlotationRestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTherapyonLearning:SubjectiveEvaluationandEEGMeasurements.InP.Suedfeld,&T.H.Fine,RestrictedEnvironmentalStimulation:TheoreticalandEmpiricalDevelopmentsinFlotationREST(pp.125-134).NewYork:Springer-Verlag.
TurnerJr.,J.W.,&Fine,T.H.(1983).EffectsofRelaxationAssociatedwithBriefRestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTherapy(REST)onPlasmaCortisol,ACTH,andLH.BiofeedbackandSelf-Regulation,115-126.
VanDierendonck,D.,&TeNijenhuis,J.(2005).Flotationrestrictedenvironmentalstimulationtherapy(REST)asastress-managementtool:Ameta-analysis.PsychologyandHealth,105-112.
Vartanian,O.,&Suedfeld,P.(2011).TheEffectofFlotationVersionofRestrictedEnvironmentalStimulationTechnique(REST)onJazzImprovisation.MusicandMedicine,1-5.
Wagman,J.D.,Barabasz,A.,&Barabasz,M.(1991).FlotationRESTandImageryintheImprovementofCollegiateBasketballPerformance.PerceptualandMotorSkills,119-122.