Frequently Asked Questions.

We understand that the idea of a floatation treatment may feel a little daunting if you are a first timer. That's why we have compiled some of our frequently asked questions to put your mind at ease. If you have a question that you can't see it answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01865 361022 and one of our staff will be happy to help.

  • -Kindly complete our policy (SmartWaiver) which you will receive in a separate email after booking. If you are bringing a companion, they must also read and sign our policy.

    -Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your session begins.

    -Remember to bring a towel with you, if you booked the Float Therapy.

  • To ensure you can completely switch off during your session we recommend avoiding any caffeinated drinks 2 hours before your float. It is also best to eat a light meal prior to your session to avoid any rumbling stomachs interrupting you! Also avoid shaving on the day of your float as freshly shaved skin may be irritated and thereby detract from the experience. Contact lenses also need to be removed, please bring a case to put them in.

  • When you book to float with a friend you will choose both pod 1 and pod 2, these are in separate rooms with their own ensuite shower. Floating in the same pod detracts from the experience of silence and would not be calming if you kept bumping into each other. If you book the infrared sauna before your float you will have an opportunity to sit together and chat before your float session Why add a sauna?

  • Anyone suffering with the following conditions is advised not to float:

    • Epilepsy

    • Extreme low blood pressure

    • Infectious skin diseases or illnesses

    • Ear infection

    • Stomach Bug (give a couple of weeks before booking)

    • If you have very sensitive ears, the salt water can make them feel uncomfortable.

    • Check with your dr if you have Diabetes

  • Absolutely. In fact, it's why we're here. I had my first floatation treatment at 32 weeks pregnant and it was the most relaxing and comfortable hour I'd had in 7 months. It was then I knew that I wanted to bring floatation therapy to Oxford. Like most activities though, it is not recommended during the first trimester.

    Heavily pregnant women probably get more relief from the float room than anyone else. Just lying on a bed can be extremely uncomfortable for women in the later stages of pregnancy due to massive gravitational strain placed on the body. The float room is a wonderful haven to which pregnant women can escape. Pregnancy and Birth magazine gave floatation 10 out of 10 as a useful pregnancy therapy.

    We do recommend you consult your Doctor before floating.

  • You can float at the time with a tampon or mooncup however if you suffer with Endometriosis or PCOS please do call us to discuss further as this may impact the comfortability of the float.

  • You will be in complete control of your environment so you can choose to float with the lid open and the interior light on if it makes you more comfortable. You may find that once you start to relax and unwind you are ready to switch off and close the lid but there is no pressure for you to do this unless you feel comfortable doing so.

  • It is very hard for someone to drown in the float tank. Over 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) are added to the i-sopod floatation tank and mixed with 1,000 litres (220 gallons) of water. This creates a highly buoyant environment in which people will naturally float to the surface without any effort – similar to the experience of floating in the Dead Sea.

  • The minimum age to enjoy a floatation treatment at Mederi is 16. Anyone younger than 16 can float if accompanied by an adult and they keep the pod lid open. Please contact us 01865 361022 to discuss further.

  • We are very relaxed to the extent that some people wear their PJs for the last float session of an evening. Come to the centre how you feel most comfortable, all of the rooms are private and if you'd like to wear swimmers you can.

    We have a hair drying area and a separate shower for the infrared sauna, so if you are going out to meet friends or back to work you can get ready in privacy.

  • During a float, you produce slower brain-wave patterns; known as theta waves, (normally experienced only during deep meditation or just before falling asleep). Both hemispheres of your brain begin to work as one, creating what is known as whole brain thinking. This is usually accompanied by vivid imagery, very clear, creative thoughts, sudden insights and inspirations or feelings of profound peace and joy, induced by the release of endorphins, the body’s natural opiates. Because of these effects, floating is used effectively in the treatment of depression and addictions, including smoking and alcohol. It is also used in schools and universities as tools for Super Learning.

  • After each session the pod initiates its cleaning cycle. The total contents of the pod are displaced 3.75 times by the industrial strength pump through the 1 micron filter, ensuring that the environment is totally free from any waste. The titanium-encased heater keeps the water at a constant skin temperature and the automatic disinfecting makes sure that no bacteria can survive.

  • Anyone with the following conditions should not sauna without medical advice:

    • High Blood Pressure

    • Heavy Menstruation (increases blood flow during period)

    • If you are taking blood thinners

  • Please do not attempt to do any types of breathwork in the float pod that involves hyperventilating. We do not want you to feel light headed during your float.

  • We ask our visitors to not have had any drink or drugs in their system the morning of their sessions as this will severely impact the positive benefits of the treatments.

  • Please do not book a float if you are freshly fake tanned or have recenrtly dyed your hair and the water is not running clear. Unfortuantely it is very hard to remove the colourants from the water. Please note you maybe charged for any discolouration to the water.

Do you have a question that isn’t covered here?