The deaths in the commercial sweat lodge incident are certainly a tragedy.
It is fairly well known that the use of certain types of rock in a fire with water for steam can cause dangerous (deadly?) gasses. I don't know which type of rocks is/are safe or deadly. So, I simply would never accept an invite to go into a sweat lodge.

See an interview with a NA on this tragedy.Said time in the lodge was 1/2 hr max not for long extended periods( hours with out a break) like the people in the event subjected themselves to.Said if you want more time come out cool down and go back in.Ive spent some time in a steam rooms at the gym just didnt make a day of it all at one time.In Iceland we would sweat for awhile then go out a roll in the snow or just stand in the blowing wind.You will know if you have any heart problems HA HA HA

I've been in sauna's, I believe the difference is dry heat sans the steam. It did nothing for me and I wondered why I wasted my time. I think a sweat lodge would be a similar experience. However, the issue is different than a modern and controlled steam room. There are real potential dangers in an improperly set-up sweat lodge. I'm not expert on those dangers and feel staying away is best and safest choice.

I agree that 2-plus hours is too much. I've been in one sweat, lead by a couple of Lakota guys, and believe me, about a half-hour or so is plenty; coming out and cooling down, or the times when the outside assistant opens the flap to bring in more stones, really helps. If I remember correctly, they just opened the flap at least once to let us have a break.

Dick

I wouldn't necessarily forgo the use of a sweat lodge if I thought it would do me some good, but I'd avoid it when operated by an untrained Anglo profiteer who capitalizes on "New Age" mystique, or his untrained staff. Too many gurus in the past 40 years have led the weak minded astray. There were snake oil salesmen in the 18th century too.

LD

Almost anything is dangerous if abused. A woman died from drinking too much water in a contest not so long ago.

Dan

What he said!

Dick

quote:

Originally posted by Loyalist Dave:
I wouldn't necessarily forgo the use of a sweat lodge if I thought it would do me some good, but I'd avoid it when operated by an untrained Anglo profiteer who capitalizes on "New Age" mystique, or his untrained staff. Too many gurus in the past 40 years have led the weak minded astray. There were snake oil salesmen in the 18th century too.

LD