Hot Tubs in the Snow

It seems that people in all cultures have been drawn to hot baths over the span of human history. The Greeks, Romans, Japanese, Turkish, and Nordic cultures all enjoyed the hot springs baths. When the natural hot springs weren’t available, the Egyptians thought of using hot stones to heat up the water and therapeutic baths were in evidence since 4,000 years ago in Egypt. In 500 B.C. the Greeks built huge bath houses and had social interaction surrounding the bathing, and the Romans did the same thing centuries later and even were responsible for coining the term SPA. The Roman soldiers who were recovering from battle sought out hot wells to build baths to soak their aching bodies. They named the treatment “Sanus Per Aquam” (SPA) which means “health through water”. Because this method was so successful, health spas were built all over the Roman Empire and became the full scale ancient entertainment venues we’ve heard about.

The Asian culture has understood the healing power of hot water for thousands of years. They believe that a calm mind and peaceful state brings you into harmony with all things, and compare it to calm waters. The freestanding wooden tub we know today has been in use in Japan for centuries and is called “ofuro”. When this idea came to the European settlers who built the United States, in the 1800’s, the new Americans embraced the idea of spa treatments and communities sprung up around the natural hot springs found around the country. Here in Colorado; Idaho Springs, Glenwood Springs in 1907, Manitou Springs, Hot Sulphur Springs, Steamboat Springs, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, and others had all been used by the native Americans for medicinal purposes and the ranchers and farmers who started up towns followed their example. Soon the tourists flocked to the areas, and made them very popular and successful. In the Colorado ski resorts, many hot tubs are found in a commons area adjacent to condos or hotels in which people stay. As the snow is falling and the temperature is below the freezing point, people can be seen soaking in the outdoor hot tubs and watching night skiing on the mountain. If you have never tried this, the feeling is spectacular. The air is brisk and icy, but the body is warm and comfortable. Steam rises up from the people in the pool and it’s quite a sight.

Building on the success of the natural hot springs, manufacturers wanted to bring the relaxation into the home setting, and so in the late 1950’s in California, people started to craft the modern day wooden hot tub. Over the next few decades, the process would be refined and include the acrylic style and the indoor whirlpools we enjoy today. There seem to be very few cultures who don’t appreciate the benefits of relaxation in a hot bath. Skiers and snowboarders are usually happy to unwind the muscles after a hard day on the slopes.

While these tubs are very popular and a welcome release at the end of a busy day, there are some important things that you need to be aware of. Hot tubs are usually heated using an electric, natural gas or solar system. Some systems use a wood fire to heat the water. Keeping the water clean and sanitary is very important in hot tubs, as many bacterial organisms thrive in a warm, wet environment. Maintaining the proper kind of hot tub water chemistry is also necessary. The wooden style of hot tub is much like a large barrel in construction, with staves and steel bands surrounding. The wooden staves are often made from redwood or cedar and are deep enough to have a submerged wooden bench inside for seating, as well as carefully entering or exiting the tub. They can be up to 48” (120 cm) deep and will hold multiple users at one time.

Maintaining hot tub water sanitation and chemistry is necessary to prevent the spread of disease as well as damage to the tub. Many filters and chemicals are available to keep bacteria from forming in the communal tub. Keeping the pH balance in the water is essential and avoiding damage to the metal parts of the plumbing from hard water mineral deposits is a job for professionals, who insure that calcium and magnesium deposits do not form in the water heater unit.

Is a Hot Tub Safe for me?

The safety concern can take a few different directions. Obviously, running and horseplay around any pool or water can result in falls, bruises, broken bones or worse. The concern is compounded when the water is heated as in the case of the hot tub. Children should never be left unsupervised around the spa. Even adults who can tolerate the elevated water temperature should exercise care in the tub. Sitting for too long can cause dizziness when you get up, and is the cause of some falls outside the spa. Drinking alcohol is another problem that creates a sense of imbalance in a hot tub. Care should be taken on the wet surfaces around the tub, and in a snowy outside setting, even ice is an issue. The injuries related to hot tubs, whirlpools and spas increased by 160% from 1990 to 2007. The majority of injuries were to people 17 years old and up from slips and falls. The other serious injuries were to small children from near-drownings.

Probably the most important aspect of hot tub use involves pregnant women. All hot tubs should carry a warning sign, and some do post caution signs. Take them seriously! Because the heated water causes the amniotic fluid to heat up when the belly is submerged, this can be very dangerous to the unborn baby. The baby has no way to cool down by sweating, or getting out of the overheated water as we would. The excessive heat can do damage to the developing brain and has even been linked to spinal malformations. The bottom line is: Pregnant women should NEVER use saunas, hot tubs or tanning booths for the safety of their unborn child. A soothing warm bath at home is still great for mom’s tired back but the belly can stay out of the water and remain cooler. A small price to pay for a healthy baby.

Safety precautions for safer hot tub use

“Although some steps have been taken to make hot tubs safer, increased prevention efforts are needed,” study author Lara McKenzie, principal investigator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a faculty member of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, said in a written statement. Here are their recommendations:

Put slip-resistant surfacing in and around the hot tub.
Limit your time and the temperature of hot tub exposure to 10-15 minutes at no more than 104° F.
Comply with suction cover standards.
Parents should keep hot tubs covered and locked when not in use.
Consider installing a fence or barrier around the area, and set rules prohibiting jumping and diving.