Leading aquatic and fitness bodies deliver joint guidance on Cold Water Immersion therapy

With the increasing popularity of Cold Water Immersion (CWI) therapy - Royal Life Saving, AUSactive and SPASA, as key peak bodies committed to community wellbeing and safety - have released joint guidance on CWI offered in aquatic, fitness, and leisure environments.

Cold Water Immersion (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.

Millions of Australians engage in cold water immersion daily, including cold showers, ice baths, and cold-water swims, attracted by its purported therapeutic benefits.

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 client-operator fee for service arrangement, or completely independently and without anyone else present.

Among those attracted to CWI are executives, athletes, bio-hacking enthusiasts, and health-conscious individuals, all seeking to enhance their health, appearance, wellbeing, and performance.

Although 'wellness' advocates, social media influencers, podcasters, and emerging sports science support these practices, significant risks need addressing.

To aid those responsible for the safety of individuals participating in CWI therapy, and for community members seeking safety measures, experts have formulated essential safety advice.

RJ Houston, General Manager, Capability & Industry at Royal Life Saving Society Australia emphasised the inherent drowning risks associated with aquatic activities.

Houston advised "these risks may increase due to the physiological and psychological reactions to cold water immersion, including but not limited to shock responses, respiratory changes, cramps, muscle spasms, and panic attacks.

"We strongly advise the community to seek medical advice, undergo pre-screening for underlying medical conditions, ensure professional supervision, and gradually acclimatise to cold water exposure."

Chris Alexander, General Manager, Standards & Development at AUSactive, highlighted the importance of caution despite the therapy's numerous benefits and shared "claimed advantages include enhanced cardiovascular health, improved physical recovery, reduced inflammation, better immune system function, and mental wellbeing. However, it is important for those with underlying health conditions to always seek professional medical advice and, where possible, to undergo cold water immersion therapy under a registered professional's guidance."

On the significance of water sanitation, Lindsay McGrath, Chief Executive of SPASA, noted "It's vital to ensure that water used for cold water immersion is appropriately sanitised, considering bather load, filtration, and circulation, to maintain healthy water quality as per Australian Standards.”

The full position statement is available here