One of the things we are so proud of at Victory is just how many brand new floaters we’re seeing come through our doors. While sensory deprivation float tanks have been around in some form or another for 70ish years, they’ve never been more accessible or less intimidating than they are today.

My first float really wasn’t that long ago - back in 2017 or 2018, and after a lot of pep talks from Casey. Full disclosure, I identified as an “anxious person” from a pretty early age, so the idea of being alone with my thoughts for an hour with no distractions was… terrifying, to say the least. But I went through with it anyway. I don’t really identify as an anxious person anymore (maybe more on that in a later post), and part of it is definitely due to the absolute ease I felt and continue to feel in the tank. It’s only gotten better since opening Victory.

I was really privileged to have a veteran floater in Casey to guide me through the process. If you’re new to floating, let me be that for you right now. This is my mini-guide to your first float.

Do some limited reading

I like to be, or feel, prepared. So my natural instinct is to read as much as I possibly can about whatever it is I’m going to do before I do it. I actually don’t recommend that obsessive approach, but I DO recommend going through our FAQ and even reading our written-out pre-float talk HERE. The FAQ will answer a ton of your questions (no you don’t need a bathing suit unless you want one, falling asleep is welcome, floating during pregnancy is awesome, etc) and the pre-float talk all written out will just set you at ease. Other than that, I’d say leave it. Everyone’s float experience is different and we want you to come in with an open mind and no preconceived notions of what is “right” or “wrong” in the tank.

Avoid excessive caffeine

If you are a big coffee or tea lover, this may be hard, but I would strongly suggest avoiding caffeine within a few hours of your float (or do what I do and only book evening sessions). You may feel fine walking around after chugging 16oz of coffee but you may notice an elevated heart rate and general jitteriness in the tank under those conditions.

Avoid shaving within 24ish hours of your float

Remember you’re floating in a tank full of suuuuper salty water, which can be irritating to freshly shaved or waxed skin. Try to give yourself a bit of a buffer, especially on already sensitive areas.

Give your hair a buffer

If you dye your hair, particularly if you’re into fun but short-lasting colors, try to plan your float around your hair appointment. We ask clients to leave one week between dying your hair and coming in to float. Partially this is selfish - hair dye will leach into the water, causing discoloration and a headache for us. But partially, it’s for you. The salt doesn’t seem to have a ton of effect on my hair when it’s either blonde or lighter brown, but it will absolutely fade reds and fun colors faster than you might want. Don’t throw your money down our drains, just plan ahead.

Pack the basics

We provide lots of towels, ear plugs, a makeup wipe, A&D ointment to cover any paper cuts, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryer. That’s enough for most, and if it’s all you need, that means the only thing you need to bring is yourself. However, I recommend bringing a hair brush or comb and any bath products that you really love. For example, I bring in my own face wash, because I’m high maintenance like that. I’ve seen clients bring their own deodorant and their own lotion too.

Bring an open mind

The first 10 or so minutes of your first float are probably going to feel weird. You’re weightless, you’re in a giant room full of water, and it takes a little while to process it all. And that’s okay! I think the best piece of advice I really have for anyone interested in floating is that there is NO right or wrong way to do it. You don’t need to go in and meditate perfectly for 60 minutes. If you can’t clear your mind completely, that’s perfectly alright. We aren’t all trained Buddhist monks. I actually tend to use the tank to allow myself to think more clearly about problems or just existence in general - without the background noise of life.

Know that you are in control

We went with this particular type of tank for two main reasons. First, they’re HUGE, making them way more welcoming to beginners who worry about claustrophobia. There is more than enough space for even our tallest customers to starfish out. Second, they let YOU control the light and sound while you’re floating, so sensory deprivation is NOT a must. For beginners, I particularly like the starlights on and music on medium as a way of easing into the experience. Then you might turn off one or the other and see how that feels. Then towards the end, maybe try full sensory deprivation. Or don’t, because there is no right or wrong way to float, remember? And one last point here - you’re never locked in your tank. All you need to do is tap the door to open it back up, so you can get in and out at any point if needed.

I think that will be enough to get your through your first hour!

For our veteran floaters - what are your top tips for the first float? I’m sure I’ve missed something!

Let us know on Instagram or email us at lindsey@floatvictory.com. We love hearing from you!