Serious Questions, Fun Answers

I’ve been having a lot of fun lately while talking to people who are unaware of what floating is. After a short pitch on what it entails, I’m met with a flurry of questions, some of which, innocent as the inquisitor may be, leave me chuckling. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share some of the questions I’ve had to jostle in the past month.

Can you drown in the water?

Despite being aware of how people casually float in the Dead Sea after I draw the comparison, people seem to feel the rules change when the depth of water goes from ~1004 Feet to a mere 2 Feet. Now that I think about it, it is a fair assumption!

The simple answer here is: No, you cannot drown in the water. Even for individuals who fall asleep during their float, the minute you turn over, it’s akin to getting a bucket of water in your face; you will wake up.

So, are you lying there naked or do you have clothes on?

When you’re in the float tank, you’re trying to achieve a state where you lose sense of your limbs, are at a neutral body temperature, and are totally relaxed. An easy parallel would be to equate this with going to bed at night. For some they have cute PJ’s, others prefer to go full commando.

The answer: It boils down to individual preference. Personally, I don’t like the obstruction of my swimsuit and I’m comfortable lying there the way nature intended it. If that’s not your style, all the power to you. A bathing suit won’t hamper your floating experience.

What do you do in there?

The funny thing about this question is the benefits of floating come from everything you don’t do in the chamber. Some people will get antsy and start playing with the water, use it as an opportunity to think out loud, and others will hop out well before the hour runs out because they can’t seem to enjoy the moment.

Simply put: You’re trying to reach a state of total relaxation; a state of stillness. In that highly meditative environment, just focus on your breathing, try not to think, and avoid any movement.

Can you pee in the water?

First off, gross.

I can understand the inclination to pee in a pool given the size of it, but in a sensory deprivation chamber, there’s a lot less water. You’d literally end up floating in a concoction of water, Epsom salts, and urine. Though the filtration system cleans out the water after each floater, think about how you’d feel if you knew someone peed in there.

My advice: Please don’t pee in the tank during your float. There’s a reason robes are provided in each room. Hop out, cover up, and use the restroom like a normal human being.

Don’t you get scared lying in a coffin with water?

I’ll admit, this was my initial impression on floating, and yes, it was a daunting prospect. That being said, there are two types of chambers you can float in. The tank is the more traditional approach, much smaller, and doesn’t have lights on the inside. This is the one you could equate to being in a coffin. The other option is to hop in a cabin. It’s much larger, has lights, and is a better option for individuals worried about being in confined spaces.

To answer the question: At first, yes it was scary. However, once you find your moment of zen, you’ll be fine. It’s also comforting to know there are two options, the doors don’t lock from the outside, and there are emergency help buttons on the inside of each tank.

What types of questions have you come across that have given you a nice laugh when floating come up in conversation?

Until next time folks,

-Salman