ROCKY MOUNTAIN MOBILE SAUNA LLC
SAUNA USER MANUAL
Please read this entire manual before using or operating any part of the equipment!
WARNING
High Temperatures: Prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures is capable of inducing hyperthermia. Hyperthermia occurs when the internal temperature of the body reaches several degrees above the normal body temperature of 98.6°F. Symptoms of hyperthermia include an increase in the normal temperature of the body, dizziness, lethargy, drowsiness, and fainting. The effects of the hyperthermia include failure to perceive heat, failure to recognize the need to exit the room, unawareness of impending hazard, fetal damage in pregnant women, physical inability to exit the room and unconsciousness. It is a good idea to take sauna baths with others present.
WHAT MEDICAL CONDITIONS SHOULD NOT USE SAUNA?
Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis. Sauna bathing is safe, however, for most people with coronary heart disease with stable angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction.
WARNING
Substance Use/Abuse: The use of alcohol, drugs, or medication is capable of greatly increasing the risk of fatal hyperthermia. Do not take a sauna if using alcohol or other substances. Pregnant women, anyone taking medications and/or persons in poor health should consult their physician before using any sauna.
WARNING
Caution Fire and Burn Injury Hazard: Do not use the sauna room for drying clothes, bathing suits, etc. Do not hang towels above the heater or place any object, other than the rocks supplied, on the heater. The heater, rocks and flue pipe heat up to extremely high temperatures during operation and should not be touched or serious burns may result. Minors should be adequately supervised whenever near a hot or warming sauna.
EQUIPMENT SET-UP AND RETRIEVAL
Please provide good access to a clean open level space with solid ground in all weather conditions where the sauna is to be parked for the duration of the rental term. The trailer measures 8-feet in width, 15-feet in length, and 11-feet in height once installed. Rocky Mountain Mobile Sauna will set up the sauna unit at your chosen location and make sure that all parts are in good working order. Please make sure to point out, note in writing, and have our staff confirm any defects, damage and/or blemishes before signing the delivery confirmation. You may be held liable for any damages noticed by our staff upon retrieval of the equipment from your possession at the end of the rental term.
INTRODUCTION TO FEATURES
Our staff will give you an overview of all features of the sauna unit and explain how they work, so you and your guests, customers and/or clients can enjoy the sauna experience to the fullest.
HEATING THE SAUNA
The sauna has a wood fired stove. Our team will provide instructions on how to use the stove if you’re not familiar with lighting a wood stove. Allow at least 20 -30 minutes to preheat the sauna before use.
ADJUSTING THE TEMPERATURE
You can raise the temperature inside the sauna room by adding more wood to the fire. You can lower the temperature by opening the vents or opening the door.
MAINTENANCE AFTER EACH SAUNA SESSION
Remove all used sit towels and lightly wipe down the benches with a water-damp cloth after each session. This will keep things fresh for your next session.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
Food, drink (other than drinking water for personal consumption), creams, lotions or other substances, which may affect the appearance, hygiene and/or fragrance of the facility. Some people are very sensitive to smell and Rocky Mountain Mobile Sauna wants to guarantee the full enjoyment of the sauna to the patrons in your party, as well as to all future patrons. Creams, body lotions, etc. not only run with your sweat and make an oily mess, but they will clog up your pores and keep your skin from breathing and sweating. It is advised not to eat at least one prior to your sauna session.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Please familiarize yourself with the instructions for use of the fire extinguisher, which is provided with the sauna.
SAUNA RITUAL – AN INTRODUCTION TO SAUNA BATHING
PREP
Drink at least 8 ozs of water before entering the sauna. Ideally, start your session at least 1 hour after any meal. Please take a shower with soap before going out to the sauna and do not apply any lotions, creams, or fragrance prior to entering the sauna. We recommend leaving all jewelry, glasses, watches, phones, etc. outside of the sauna. Undress to whatever degree you decide.
HEAT
Grab a sit towel & hop in! Let the heat sink in for 10 – 20 minutes.
COOL DOWN
Chill outside in nature, rinse off, or go for the full cold plunge. Enjoy the cool down for at least 5-10 minutes for the full benefit of this part of the cycle.
HYDRATE!
It is recommended that you drink several glasses of water before and after each sauna round to stay properly hydrated.
REPEAT
Repeat the cycle 2-3 times with a full cold plunge at the end. Feel the hot & cold circuit reset your system.
TIME
Reserve enough time. It is common for sauna bathers to spend two hours or more on a session consisting of several rounds inside the sauna.
MINORS
All patrons under the age of 18 are to be supervised by a parent or guardian.
CLOTHING
In Finland, as well as in many other countries, sauna is traditionally done in the nude. It is a place for physical and mental cleansing. However, in order for all guests to enjoy the sauna bath to the fullest you may want to discuss your preferred clothing policy with your guests/host before the sauna. One way of addressing the situation that works for most people is to simply let everyone decide for themselves, and not for others, whether they want to cover up with a bathing suit/towel/bathrobe or not. In any case, it is not advisable to wear synthetic materials, fabrics that are not colorfast, nor anything containing metal (e.g., bra support wiring, clasps etc.)
THE FIRST ROUND
Enter the hot sauna room for the first round. Some sources recommend that you remain in an upright sitting position for the first round. There is a thermometer located on the wall inside the sauna room. The recommended temperature is 170-190°F, at most 194°. The North American Sauna Society states: In order to guarantee the relaxing effects of a sauna, the temperature must be at least 150ºF (65.5ºC), measured where sauna bathers sit. If you are new to taking sauna baths it is a good idea to ease into the experience at the lower-to-mid range of the recommended temperature spectrum or by sitting further away from the heater where the temperature is lower compared to the seats next to the heater.
EXIT FROM THE FIRST ROUND
Leave the sauna when you feel sufficiently hot. Many people enjoy a sauna round for approximately 15 minutes at the higher end of the temperature range. (There is a 15 min. timer in the sauna). It is not recommended to stay for more than 30 minutes at a time. Leave the sauna immediately if you feel dizzy, drowsy, short of breath or uncomfortable in any way!
COOL DOWN PERIOD
Cool off by taking a shower, go for a dip in cold plunge or just by sitting outside or inside at room temperature. We highly recommend a cold plunge or cold shower after every sauna round for a full therapeutic effect! Drink plenty of fluids, ideally water. Avoid alcohol. Rest for at least as long a time as you just spent in the hot room before you enter the sauna again.
SUBSEQUENT SAUNA ROUNDS
The sauna should already be more humid than during the first round and may not require making as much steam as in the first round. Cool off again. Repeat the hot-cold cycle as many times as you feel comfortable with. For many people around three rounds feels right, though the “right” number varies between individuals. Feel it out for yourself.
WET VS DRY SAUNA
Rocky Mountain Mobile Barrel Sauna can be used as a wet or dry sauna. To use as a dry sauna do not add water to the rocks, just use the heat from the wood stove. Some people enjoy a strictly dry sauna (often at higher temperatures.) Others prefer some humidity to be present (often in combination with temperatures at the lower end of the spectrum.) The amount of steam/humidity that feels comfortable varies from person to person. If you like steam, there is a wooden bucket in the sauna, which you may fill with clean tap water ONLY (no salt, lake or stream water, etc., please) and bring into the sauna. To increase the humidity in the sauna room use the ladle provided to SLOWLY pour one or two ladles of water at a time onto the heated rocks in the top of the stove, in a circular motion. All water should turn into steam immediately upon contact with the rocks. If water drips onto the stove base then you are pouring too fast. Essential oils can be added to the water before pouring on the rocks. Do not pour undiluted oil directly onto the rocks. Please mop up any spills immediately.
FINISH UP
After your final sauna round, wash yourself and cool off. Leave the sauna tidy, so you and/or others may enjoy the facility again at a later time. Have a refreshing drink, fruit or a salty snack to replenish your body after your session. Enjoy post-sauna bliss!