Whether you’re enjoying a few beers with your friends or a glass of champagne with your partner, alcohol can be just the thing to make a hot tub session even more enjoyable. But wherever alcohol is involved, you should be cautious.
Drinking in a hot tub
It’s fine to drink non-alcoholic beverages in a hot tub. In fact, we recommend it! It’s very important to stay hydrated while immersed in hot water, so keeping a water bottle (or other soft drink) on hand is a very good idea.
Alcoholic drinks, however, are another matter. Alcohol is a great social lubricant, especially when combined with the relaxed atmosphere of a hot tub. But alcohol is also inherently dehydrating – and drinking booze while simultaneously heating your body in a hot tub can pose a number of risks.
Risks of drinking in a hot tub
- Drinking alcohol when your body temperature is already higher than normal puts you at increased risk of dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, headache, a dry mouth, and feeling tired or lightheaded.
- The high temperature of a hot tub means the alcohol in your drink will reach the bloodstream faster. So even if you’re only drinking in moderation, you may get drunk more quickly than usual.
- Drinking alcohol can make you feel drowsy, and if you drink too much, you may even pass out. Falling asleep in your hot tub is very dangerous and can result in death by drowning.
Stay safe while drinking
To ensure that your evening doesn’t end in tragedy, be sure to follow these safety tips:
- Keep a bottle of water handy. Drinking plenty of water will reduce the effects of the alcohol and prevent dehydration.
- Be aware of the symptoms of dehydration, such as headaches and dizziness. Get out of the hot tub if you notice any of these symptoms.
- Keep an eye on the people you’re drinking with. Watch out for each other, and end the hot tub session if anyone starts to look drunk or sleepy. It may be worth having a “designated driver” - a sober friend - present to keep an eye on everyone.
- Don’t bring glass into a hot tub – it could shatter from the heat. Make sure you’ve got plastic cups handy to drink from.
- Be cautious of reckless behaviour. Alcohol can lower your inhibitions, which in turn might make you do something silly that could result in injury or worse.
- Don’t run! It’s easy enough to slip and fall near a hot tub when you’re sober, but alcohol impairs your coordination, making a potential fall more likely
- To stay as safe as possible when drinking in a hot tub, it’s best to soak for a maximum of ten minutes and then hop out for twenty minutes or more in between dips.
If you have any other questions about hot tubs and how to stay safe while you’re enjoying the bubbles, check our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the Premier Hot Tubs team.
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