Cold Water Immersion Position
Position Statement on Cold Water Immersion Therapy Safety Precautions in Aquatic, Fitness and Leisure Settings
Royal Life Saving, AUSactive and SPASA have been monitoring the increasing popularity of Cold Water Immersion (CWI).
CWI (also referred to as cold water therapy or cryotherapy) can be defined as exposing the body to cold water for various claimed therapeutic purposes. The water temperature is usually between 10-15 degrees Celsius, although can be as low as zero degrees Celsius in open, natural water environments. The claimed therapeutic benefits are interlinked and include a stronger cardiovascular system, improved recovery from physical exercise, reduced inflammation, improved immune system functioning, and enhanced mental well-being.
CWI can take place in a range of settings, such as sports and aquatic facilities, fitness centres, commercial gyms, wellness centres, physical therapy and rehabilitation centres, during personal training sessions, in natural water environments such as rivers, lakes or oceans, or at home in the bath or hot-to-cold shower. It may be under the guidance and supervision of a health professional or sports coach, within a clientoperator fee for service arrangement, or completely independently and without anyone else present.
The position statement is limited to guidance and advice on safety considerations for users and providers of CWI programs. It does not provide guidance on cold water swimming, the design or construction of facilities, e.g. tubs or pools, used for CWI, or the systems and equipment used to manage the water quality. However, these are also areas that warrant careful consideration and seeking out separate expert advice.
