Soaking in a hot tub for a very long period can cause your body to overheat. It can also cause dizziness, nausea, loss of conscience, and even death. So, how long can you stay in a hot tub?
Generally, a healthy adult can safely stay in a hot tub with a standard temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 30 minutes. Other factors to consider when understanding the length of a safe stay in a hot tub are age, health condition, pregnancy, temperature, and others.
Knowing the appropriate amount of time to soak in your hot tub safely is vital. Stick around because I will explore the ideal duration to stay in a hot tub, depending on various factors. I will also provide more information on the possible health effects of staying in the hot tub for too long.
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How Long Can You Safely Sit in a Hot Tub?
The general rule is not to stay in a hot tub for over 30 minutes. Although, some people may stay in a hot tub for up to 45 minutes. For safety purposes, especially if you are new to using a hot tub, stick to the maximum of 30 minutes rule.
There are various factors to consider when determining the ideal stay in a hot tub. These factors include:
- age
- personal health
- pregnancy
- hot tub temperature
- outdoor temperature
- hydration
- level of submersion
1. Age (from 5 to 30 minutes)
Age does matter when we talk of soaking in a hot tub. Younger and older people are not advised to stay long in a hot tub. So do pregnant women and people with health conditions.
Kids
Kids are not encouraged to stay long in a hot tub. If you allow them in the hot tub, they must get out after 5 minutes for safety.
Kids below 12 years old are at high risk of developing health issues like dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Parents should be responsible for timing when they allow their kids in a hot tub to avoid health incidents.
Elderly (60+)
Similarly, the elderly are not exempted from the high risk of developing symptoms. The body mechanism of older adults is not as active as that of teens or healthy adults. They, too, must not stay long in a hot tub.
The elderly or people in their 60s can stay in a hot tub for 5 to 20 minutes. These people might need to consult their physicians, especially if they have pre-existing health issues. Additionally, older people are prone to infections, and poorly maintained hot tubs are home to bacteria buildup.
Teens
Like healthy adults, teens or those above twelve can generally stay in a hot tub for 15 to 30 minutes. However, strict supervision of parents or guardians is still a must. Teens are adventurous and might do crazy things while in the hot tub.
Adults
Healthy adults have no problem staying in a hot tub for 15 to 30 minutes. Those used to a hot tub can even stay longer than 30 minutes. However, if you are a beginner, do not test your limit.
It is ideal to step out of the hot tub after 15 minutes or when you feel a little uncomfortable. You can soak again after a few minutes if you still want to continue to relax. The idea is not to force your body to adjust or give your body a short break.
2. Personal Health (10 minutes)
If you are not healthy, you must be mindful of how long you dip yourself in a hot tub. Experts advise that you seek your doctor’s approval before you soak in a hot tub.
Why is overstaying or even staying in a hot tub dangerous for unhealthy people? It is because it can rapidly raise body temperature and stress the heart. People who suffer from heart disease are most at risk.
A 10-minute stay in a hot tub is recommended for people with health issues. Reducing the hot tub temperature and staying hydrated are two quick tips that sickly people can do to maximize safety.
3. Pregnancy (10 minutes)
I am not a woman, but I can only imagine how relieving it is for a pregnant woman to soak in a hot tub. The hot tub experience can alleviate the aches and pains a pregnant woman is experiencing.
However, it is not ideal for pregnant women to stay in a hot tub longer than 10 minutes. The hot tub temperature should also not exceed 39 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it is dangerous for pregnant women to have a body temperature above 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
The first trimester of pregnancy is considered the most critical stage for using a hot tub. Pregnant women’s body temperature during this stage should not rise to a dangerous level. Otherwise, there might be cases of congenital disabilities in babies.
4. Hot Tub Temperature (varies heavily)
It doesn’t take a genius to understand that the higher the temperature of your hot tub is, the shorter you should stay in it. The higher the temperature, the riskier it becomes.
Most hot tubs are programmed at around 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Your hot tub must not exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or you kill yourself. You must not experiment with dipping yourself in a hot tub with extremely high temperatures.
If you want to be safe or stay longer in your hot tub, you can lower the temperature. Some people lowered their hot tub’s temperature to 98 degrees Fahrenheit and stayed in it for 45 minutes.
However, it works on a case-to-case basis. You better be safe than sorry. So, stick to the 15 to 30 minutes rule until you know exactly how long your body can resist the increasing temperature.
5. Outdoor Temperature (varies heavily)
Why is the outdoor temperature a factor in the time you can stay in a hot tub? Some people do not realize the effect of the weather temperature on your body.
Soaking in your hot tub during a bright summer day will shorten your fun. If the outdoor temperature is high, you must not stay in a hot tub for over 20 minutes. Submerging yourself over the recommended duration can cause your body to overheat.
On the other hand, staying in your hot tub during winter or cold seasons can be more advantageous. Your body can easily cool down due to the cold temperature. As a result, you can stay longer in the hot tub without worrying about overheating.
6. Hydration (varies heavily)
Experts highly recommend that you hydrate yourself before relaxing in your hot tub. Hydration influences the amount of time you can stay in your hot tub.
If you are not properly hydrated, your body may not be able to cool down properly. When this happens, you will feel uncomfortable, and your body will push you out of the water.
Your body also sweats during your stay in the hot tub, which means you will lose a lot of fluids. To help replenish yourself, you can sip a cold drink rich in electrolytes while soaking.
7. Level of Body Submersion (varies heavily)
Dipping up to your neck affects your body differently than having most of your upper torso out of the water. If you submerge most of your body parts most of the time, your temperature can rapidly increase. As a result, you will not be able to stay long in the hot tub.
To increase the time you can stay in the hot tub, you can alternate between a full-body dip and sitting up higher. You can even momentarily step out of the water to cool down briefly.
What Happens if You Stay in a Hot Tub Too Long?
A lot of things can happen when you overstay in a hot tub. These health issues can be serious and may require immediate attention. The most common issues and symptoms you will experience when you stay in a hot tub for too long are:
- Dehydration
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Overheating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin burns
- Decrease in blood pressure
Go through each one below to understand how they happen and know the common action to take.
Dehydration
The heat level of the hot tub can get you dehydrated. Dehydration always happens during a soak in a hot tub if you are not properly hydrated. Experts suggest you sip on cold drinks while enjoying the hot tub.
You know if you are dehydrated when you feel other symptoms such as unquenched thirst, dizziness, sleepiness, inability to urinate, strong-colored urine, and very disoriented.
The quickest way to address this is to safely step out of the hot tub and slowly take a good amount of water in a seated position. It is best to seek a doctor’s advice if you still feel uncomfortable.
Dizziness and Light-Headedness
Dizziness and light-headedness if more of a symptom of another issue. However, it needs to be addressed immediately, or you will end up drowning in the hot tub if you lose consciousness.
If you feel dizzy in the hot tub, safely step out and sit comfortably. Do not be ashamed to ask for assistance from those around you if you need to. Once you have settled, slowly drink water and wait for your body to recover.
Overheating
Body overheating is a serious issue. If this ever happens to you or your family, it is highly suggested to call for emergency assistance.
The main symptoms of overheating include severe headache, excessive sweating, lack of sweat, very low pulse, itchy and tingling skin, and losing consciousness.
The first thing to do when you experience overheating is to get out of the hot tub safely. When you are out, you need to sit as you would when you experience dizziness and wait for your body temperature to cool down gradually.
Do not make the mistake of exposing yourself to a sudden cold temperature. You will end up creating more damage if you do this. It is better to relax and wait for the emergency response.
Nausea and Vomiting
Similar to dizziness, nausea and vomiting can also be dehydration or overheating symptoms. Step out of the hot tub as soon as you feel nauseated.
Vomiting can quickly dehydrate your body. Drinking water rich in electrolytes will help you alleviate the situation. Contact an emergency service if necessary.
Skin Rashes and Burns
You may also experience a skin condition called hot tub folliculitis. This skin rash is common if you stay in a hot tub for too long. In some extreme cases, your skin may show some burns.
If you experience skin burns or any irritations, it is an indication that you need to get out of the tub. Give your body a break from the hot tub temperature.
You may also need to test your hot tub’s pH and total alkalinity level. Low total alkalinity can also cause skin irritations.
Decrease in Blood Pressure
Your body would normally experience vasolidation, which means that your blood vessels will dilate. The dilation of your blood vessels is your body’s normal reaction to remove heat.
When vasolidation happens, blood pressure can drop significantly, causing you to faint. Get out of the hot tub as soon as you notice that you can’t think clearly or you are about to faint. Drink small amounts of water while you wait for the emergency response.
What is the Longest Time Someone Has Ever Been in a Hot Tub?
Staying in a hot tub for a very long period sounds like a crazy idea. However, this was not impossible for Andre van Zijl who broke the world record for the longest time soaking in a jacuzzi.
In 2013, Zijl challenged himself to stay in a hot tub for two and a half weeks to raise awareness and funds for kids with AIDS/HIV. He stayed for 12.5 days in the jacuzzi, breaking the 39 world records.
Conclusion
The time you can spend in a hot tub varies depending on several factors. These factors include age, personal health, pregnancy, hot tub temperature, and weather temperature. The ideal duration to stay in a tub at 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit is 15 to 30 minutes.
Kids, the elderly, pregnant women, and unhealthy individuals should not stay very long in a hot tub. Experts recommend that they do not stay longer than 20 minutes. Kids below 12 can safely stay in a hot tub for up to 5 minutes.
