6 Safety Checks to Do Before Cold, Heat or Oxygen

Safety checks are the simple steps that make cold, heat, light and oxygen sessions comfortable and worry-free, and international reviews say that risks are low and largely preventable when guidelines are followed. A 2023 scoping review of whole body cryotherapy concluded that safety risks sit within acceptable limits, and a 2025 expert position paper lists exactly who should be screened first. This guide shares six smart safety checks you can use before any recovery session, so you can enjoy the benefits with confidence. Our team explains how we look after every guest on the Aeva approach page.

Why Safety Checks Come First

Wellness technology is most enjoyable when you feel completely at ease. Knowing that you have been screened properly, that your session has been planned around your health and that a trained team is nearby lets you relax and focus on the experience. That is why every reputable centre begins with questions rather than with the machine.

The good news is that researchers have looked carefully at safety, and their conclusions are reassuring. The aim of this guide is to turn those conclusions into six practical habits that anyone can follow, whether you are visiting for the first time or have been coming for years.

Safety Checks at a Glance

• Cold: a scoping review of whole body cryotherapy found 16 adverse events in the published literature and concluded that risks are within acceptable limits and can be prevented by following guidance.
• Screening: a 2025 expert position paper says that accurate medical assessment and screening remain mandatory before sessions.
• Heat: a review of heat exposure lists low blood pressure, a recent heart attack, severe aortic stenosis, reduced sweating and pregnancy as reasons to check with a doctor first.
• Habits: hydration, rest and honest answers to health questions are the three simplest safety tools.

1. Start Safety Checks by Sharing Your Health History

The single most helpful safety check is an honest conversation about your health. Tell the team about heart or blood pressure conditions, diabetes, thyroid conditions, epilepsy, past strokes, circulation problems, cancer treatment, pregnancy and any regular medication. Bring a list of your medicines if that is easier.

The 2025 position paper from the International Institute of Refrigeration working group makes the same point: the list of conditions is meant to guide initial screening, and clinicians should look at the whole person, including combinations of smaller risk factors. If you are unsure about something, mention it. Our team would always rather hear a question than miss a detail.

Source: Capodaglio et al., Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2025; IIR working group summary.

2. Do Daily Safety Checks on How You Feel

Some reasons to wait are temporary, and they are easy to manage. According to the same position paper, temporary conditions include a current infection, fever, severe anaemia, dehydration, open wounds and having consumed alcohol or drugs. If any of these apply on the day, simply reschedule for when you are feeling well again.

Make it a habit to ask yourself three quick questions before each visit. Am I well today? Have I had enough water? Did I sleep reasonably? If the answer to any is no, a rest day or a short delay is a smart choice, and your session will be more enjoyable when you return.

Source: Capodaglio et al., Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2025.

3. Know the Cold Session Guidance

Whole body cryotherapy is short, about three minutes at around −110°C at Aeva, and researchers have studied its safety closely. A scoping review by Legrand and an international consortium examined case reports and randomised trials, found 16 adverse events in total and concluded that safety risks are within acceptable limits and can be prevented by following existing recommendations and common-sense guidelines.

The authors also made a helpful distinction: some safety warnings were based on partial-body cryotherapy, where liquid nitrogen vapour is applied while standing in a narrow tub, which is quite different from a whole body cryotherapy chamber. The position paper adds that cold intolerance, claustrophobia and conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent heart attack, Raynaud’s syndrome, recent stroke or epilepsy call for a doctor’s advice first. Read our whole body cryotherapy guide for the full session walkthrough.

Source: Legrand et al., European Journal of Medical Research, 2023.

4. Know the Heat Session Guidance

Heat is deeply relaxing for most healthy adults. A review by Patrick and Johnson notes that people with low blood pressure, a recent heart attack or severe aortic stenosis, reduced sweating from some autoimmune or neurological conditions, or pregnancy should speak to a doctor before using heat.

Sensible habits make heat sessions easier still: drink water before and after, skip alcohol beforehand, cool down gradually and stand up slowly. Our hyperthermia therapy safety guide lists seven simple checks, and the hyperthermia in Kuala Lumpur article explains a session step by step.

Source: Patrick and Johnson, Experimental Gerontology, 2021.

5. Know the Oxygen and Light Guidance

For hyperbaric oxygen, the pressure change is the main thing to prepare for. Typical screening covers ear and sinus problems, lung conditions, recent illness such as a cold, pregnancy and regular medication, because these can affect comfort or call for a doctor’s view. Most guests find the session calm, with a gentle sensation in the ears like flying. See your first HBOT session in Kuala Lumpur for details.

For red light therapy, typical checks include pregnancy, medicines or products that make skin sensitive to light, and any history of light sensitivity or eye conditions. A red light session lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, with protective eyewear if advised. Our red light therapy first session guide covers the process. These are general screening topics, and our team will confirm what applies to you.

6. Choose a Supervised, Trained Team

Even the best guidance only works when someone applies it. Look for a centre where a trained team screens you at every visit, explains each step, monitors the session and is ready to help. You can meet the clinical team on the medical leadership page at Aeva.

Good questions to ask any provider include: Who will supervise my session? How do you screen guests? What happens if I feel unwell? How do you maintain the equipment? A confident, clear answer is one of the best signs of a safe centre. Our guide to questions to ask before visiting a longevity centre offers a longer list.

Quick Reference: Who Should Check With a Doctor First

Simple Safety Checks for Every Visit

• Drink water through the day and arrive well hydrated.
• Eat a light meal a couple of hours beforehand rather than going in hungry or very full.
• Skip alcohol on the day of your session.
• Wear comfortable clothes and remove jewellery as asked.
• Arrive a few minutes early so you are not rushed.
• Bring your medication list and any questions.

After Your Session

Take a few minutes to cool down or warm up gently, drink water and stand up slowly if you have been lying down. Many people feel relaxed and energised, and a short walk is a lovely way to finish. If anything feels unusual afterwards, tell the team straight away or speak to your doctor.

These safety checks take only a few minutes, yet they make every session smoother. Think of them as a routine, like checking the weather before a run: quick, sensible and worth doing every time. Once the safety checks become a habit, you can simply enjoy the calm, the warmth or the light, knowing you have done your part and that the team has done theirs.

The friendly team at Aeva Longevity Centre is happy to answer your questions and plan a comfortable first visit. You can reach us on the contact page, and you can read more in our longevity insights.

Related Reading

• Hyperthermia therapy safety: 7 essential checks
• Your first HBOT session in Kuala Lumpur
• Whole body cryotherapy: the complete guide
• Recovery technologies compared
• 7 smart questions to ask before visiting a longevity centre
• Build a weekly longevity routine

FAQ

Are these recovery sessions safe?

International reviews describe risks as low and largely preventable when screening and guidelines are followed. A 2023 scoping review of whole body cryotherapy concluded that risks are within acceptable limits.

What safety checks should I do first?

Share your health history, check how you feel on the day, hydrate, avoid alcohol beforehand and choose a supervised, trained team.

Who should check with a doctor before starting?

Anyone who is pregnant, has heart or blood pressure conditions, circulation problems, epilepsy, a recent stroke, lung or sinus conditions or takes regular medication.

Can I try more than one technology?

Many people do. Research on combinations is still emerging, so our team suggests adding them gradually.

What if I feel unwell during a session?

Tell the team immediately. Sessions are supervised so that help is close at hand.

Do I need to see a doctor before my first visit?

Most healthy adults do not need to, but a quick chat is wise if you have any health condition or take medication.

Sources

• Legrand FD et al. Evaluating safety risks of whole-body cryotherapy/cryostimulation (WBC): a scoping review from an international consortium. Eur J Med Res, 2023.
• Capodaglio P et al. Contraindications to whole body cryostimulation (WBC): a position statement. Front Rehabil Sci, 2025.
• International Institute of Refrigeration. IIR working group releases position paper on contraindications to whole-body cryostimulation. 2025.
• Patrick RP, Johnson TL. Experimental Gerontology, 2021.

General information only, not medical advice. These technologies support wellness and do not replace medical care. Speak to your doctor if you have a health condition.