An isolation tank is a lightless, soundproof tank inside which subjects float in salt water at skin temperature. They were first used by John C. Lilly in 1954 to test the effects of sensory deprivation. Such tanks are now also used for meditation and relaxation and in alternative medicine. The isolation tank was originally called the sensory deprivation tank. Other names for the isolation tank include flotation tank, John C. Lilly tank, REST tank, sensory attenuation tank, and think tank. There are many locations all around the world and the field is gaining momentum. John C. Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuro-psychiatrist, developed the flotation tank in 1954. During his training in psychoanalysis at the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Lilly commenced experiments with sensory deprivation. In neurophysiology, there had been an open question as to what keeps the brain going and the origin of its energy sources. One hypothesis was that the energy sources are biological and internal and do not depend upon the outside environment. It was argued that if all stimuli are cut off to the brain then the brain would go to sleep. Lilly decided to test this hypothesis and, with this in mind, created an environment which totally isolated an individual from external stimulation. From here, he studied the origin of consciousness and its relation to the brain.
The original float tanks involved being entirely submerged in the tank, and people were required to wear complicated head-masks to breathe, and uncomfortable tight clothing that constricted the blood flow in certain areas. Many users claimed that the mask and clothing detracted from the isolation experience by creating uncomfortable physical conditions, and that being entirely submerged in water led to the fear of drowning. The tight fit of the mask seal around the face and the retention strips wrapping around the back of the head were uncomfortable in long sessions. The constant hissing of the air valves and bubbling of exhaust air out of the mask prevented the possibility of silence. The faceplate of the mask was typically solid black for visual isolation, but then the tank user needed help entering and leaving the isolation tank since the mask blinded them. The tight neoprene clothing was extremely uncomfortable in sensitive areas such as the genitalia, and constricted blood flow and mobility in other areas. In newer tanks, epsom salt is added to the water in the tank to increase the density of the water so that the subject floats with the face above the water. However, since the ears are submerged when the subject is in a relaxed position, hearing is greatly reduced, particularly when ear-plugs are also used. When the arms float to the side, skin sensation is greatly reduced because the air and water are the same temperature as the skin, and the feeling of a body boundary fades. The sense of smell is also greatly reduced, especially if the water has not been treated with chlorine.The growing number of commercial float tanks has brought increased regulation of disinfection. For example, different states in the US have applied different rules.
In Europe, the DIN 19643 bathing water standard requires automated chlorination from REDOX (ORP) measurement. Chlorine, bromine and peroxide disinfection have all been used successfully. There is doubt about ozone safety because of the closed air space. For this reason, H202 is cited by many industry professionals as a safer and more desirable sanitation agent.[citation needed] Health Aspects of Air Pollution with Particulate Matter, Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide. WHO-Europe report 13–15 January 2003 (PDF)Generally, users of isolation tanks enter the pool nude. Although a swimsuit may be worn, the elastic material of a tight-fitting suit can create uncomfortable compressed stress points on the skin during the session. Due to the high epsom salt content, the water is minimally changed, and all users are expected to shower, wash with soap, and rinse clean prior to entering the tank to avoid getting oils from their skin into the tank, and thus extend the water life as long as possible. Bathing is again needed after a session to remove excess epsom salt from the skin, and white vinegar is often used to remove excess salt from the ear canal and hair. Most isolation tanks use a circulating surface skimmer, cartridge filtration, and disinfection means, including ultraviolet sterilization and chemicals to keep the water free of microbes and sediment, though this is turned off during a session to keep the isolation space as quiet as possible. A ring heating system can be used around the outer walls of the tank to warm the water so that it rises up the outside edges of the pool, travels towards the center, and then sinks under the tank user. This very slow water convection flow helps to keep the user centered in the middle of the pool, without them floating to the side and bumping into the walls of the small tank during long float sessions. However, when the floater is still, the small waves caused by breathing also tend to centre them in the solution regardless of a convection effect.
An isolation tank is a lightless, soundproof tank inside which subjects float in salt water at skin temperature. They were first used by John C. Lilly in 1954 to test the effects of sensory deprivation. Such tanks are now also used for meditation and relaxation and in alternative medicine. The isolation tank was originally called the sensory deprivation tank. Other names for the isolation tank include flotation tank, John C. Lilly tank, REST tank, sensory attenuation tank, and think tank. There are many locations all around the world and the field is gaining momentum. John C. Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuro-psychiatrist, developed the flotation tank in 1954. During his training in psychoanalysis at the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Lilly commenced experiments with sensory deprivation. In neurophysiology, there had been an open question as to what keeps the brain going and the origin of its energy sources. One hypothesis was that the energy sources are biological and internal and do not depend upon the outside environment. It was argued that if all stimuli are cut off to the brain then the brain would go to sleep. Lilly decided to test this hypothesis and, with this in mind, created an environment which totally isolated an individual from external stimulation. From here, he studied the origin of consciousness and its relation to the brain. 
The original float tanks involved being entirely submerged in the tank, and people were required to wear complicated head-masks to breathe, and uncomfortable tight clothing that constricted the blood flow in certain areas. Many users claimed that the mask and clothing detracted from the isolation experience by creating uncomfortable physical conditions, and that being entirely submerged in water led to the fear of drowning. The tight fit of the mask seal around the face and the retention strips wrapping around the back of the head were uncomfortable in long sessions. The constant hissing of the air valves and bubbling of exhaust air out of the mask prevented the possibility of silence. The faceplate of the mask was typically solid black for visual isolation, but then the tank user needed help entering and leaving the isolation tank since the mask blinded them. The tight neoprene clothing was extremely uncomfortable in sensitive areas such as the genitalia, and constricted blood flow and mobility in other areas. In newer tanks, epsom salt is added to the water in the tank to increase the density of the water so that the subject floats with the face above the water. However, since the ears are submerged when the subject is in a relaxed position, hearing is greatly reduced, particularly when ear-plugs are also used. When the arms float to the side, skin sensation is greatly reduced because the air and water are the same temperature as the skin, and the feeling of a body boundary fades. The sense of smell is also greatly reduced, especially if the water has not been treated with chlorine.The growing number of commercial float tanks has brought increased regulation of disinfection. For example, different states in the US have applied different rules. 
In Europe, the DIN 19643 bathing water standard requires automated chlorination from REDOX (ORP) measurement. Chlorine, bromine and peroxide disinfection have all been used successfully. There is doubt about ozone safety because of the closed air space. For this reason, H202 is cited by many industry professionals as a safer and more desirable sanitation agent.[citation needed] Health Aspects of Air Pollution with Particulate Matter, Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide. WHO-Europe report 13–15 January 2003 (PDF)Generally, users of isolation tanks enter the pool nude. Although a swimsuit may be worn, the elastic material of a tight-fitting suit can create uncomfortable compressed stress points on the skin during the session. Due to the high epsom salt content, the water is minimally changed, and all users are expected to shower, wash with soap, and rinse clean prior to entering the tank to avoid getting oils from their skin into the tank, and thus extend the water life as long as possible. Bathing is again needed after a session to remove excess epsom salt from the skin, and white vinegar is often used to remove excess salt from the ear canal and hair. Most isolation tanks use a circulating surface skimmer, cartridge filtration, and disinfection means, including ultraviolet sterilization and chemicals to keep the water free of microbes and sediment, though this is turned off during a session to keep the isolation space as quiet as possible. A ring heating system can be used around the outer walls of the tank to warm the water so that it rises up the outside edges of the pool, travels towards the center, and then sinks under the tank user. This very slow water convection flow helps to keep the user centered in the middle of the pool, without them floating to the side and bumping into the walls of the small tank during long float sessions. However, when the floater is still, the small waves caused by breathing also tend to centre them in the solution regardless of a convection effect.
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