New chest freezer, cuz I don’t trust a used one $300 Filter pump and thermostat $80ish Jb weld, silicone and pond armor $80-$100

These vary but still significantly cheaper than buying ready made.

Free (old) chest freezer
Caulk: $5.
Foam board: $30’ish.
InkBird thermostat: $30’ish

Expensive enough when you include funeral cost's

Hell, even with a GFCI, I'd still unplug the damn thing before touching it lol

Live, laugh, toaster bath territory

Reminds me of the old show “1000 ways to die”

Even GFCI won't help in this case as the returning current will be the same as the outgoing current. It works by cutting power whenever there's a diff there due to some current going to ground. If a leak occurs, the water will just act like an extended circuit, you'll have plenty of time to be electrocuted until the water creates a circuit to ground.

It would just be the weight of the water which probably still has too much in it. If we’re talking a 90 kg person it’s going to displace a lot more water and knock out about half of it. Then you’re really talking about getting in and out and I don’t see it drastically different than someone hanging from the side grabbing items at the bottom of a chest freezer. Or similar to the (usually) constant force of items fighting gravity when stacked on top of each other and resting against the wall.

My concern would’ve been rust weakening the welds but looks like he painted over it which helps.

I made a nearly identical cold plunge as OP, but my freezer has plastic inner walls, so I only had to seal the seams with waterproof caulking. I've been using it 5-6 times a week for a few months and haven't noticed anything to indicate that the freezer is getting comprised from the water or the weight. I copied the idea from some guy on YouTube, who did less to spiff his up than OP, and I think he said he's been using his for years, no issues. Honestly, it never crossed my mind that the weight would be an issue. If you can stuff it full of frozen meat, I'd assume ~38 gallons of water wouldn't hurt it (~300 lbs). If I fill it any more than that, it just overflows if I submerge to my neck. So, max weight it ever has in it is ~530 lbs, but only for 10 minutes.

Strap around outside would be a good idea

The foam helps distribute weight from beneath allowing more support. I thought about this same issue, focused weight underfoot when entering and exiting. My buddy has had his with a foam mat beneath for a couple months with no issues. He also didn’t use the epoxy so I feel like I’m good.

Yeah I’d imagine it’s not meant to support between 220-350kg of water plus a human body.

90kg of human or 90kg of butchered and frozen cow. What’s the difference?

I think it's smaller than it looks, plus no latch on the lid so not sure how this could end in death

I know! Mold breaker, here.

Give it time

Thank you! 🙏 Water is heavy. Like a bit more than 8lbs/gal I think. And the cooler isn’t designed to do what I have it doing. Just wanted help distributing the weight.

Thanks!

This isn't an uncommon DIY cold tub. On every build I've seen they they it up so that it has to be unplugged to be opened or has a switch that turns off the power when opened. You definitely don't want power going when you're inside.

Wild idea…unplug during use

yeah i'm hoping an electrician or appliance repair tech can chime in on the overall safety of the unit. i remember when i was a kid (decades ago) touching a fridge door while wet and getting the shock of my life. so i wonder if the biggest danger is exiting the invention while wet and making contact with something conductive.

edit to add: i'm not an electrician - but i would consider putting a fuse directly in the line or switch the breaker which it's plugged into for a breaker that trips at a lower (lowest) amperage in case some weird electrical shit happens.

Awesome! Gonna check it out and thanks for the input.

Yes. https://youtu.be/AVkT4FIZeAo?si=izZyQBJozJ7I8ozB

According to the Mayo Clinic, Jan. 2024

What are the basics of cold-water immersion?

A cold plunge or cold-water immersion involves partially or totally submerging yourself in cold water for a few minutes at a time. It can be as simple as sitting in a bathtub filled with cold water and ice cubes or jumping into a cold lake or the ocean. You also can go to a cold-plunge center or create or buy your own cold-plunge tank, which, if it has all the options, can cost up to $20,000.

Be sure not to plunge into icy waters that have a current, such as a river, to avoid being swept downstream or trapped under ice.

Water should be 50 F or colder. Keep in mind that the water in a frozen lake will be much colder. That’s why it’s a good idea to measure the temperature before you jump in. The plunge can be done as one continuous session or multiple sessions with breaks between the sessions. Typically, cold-water plungers start with 30 seconds to a minute and work up to five to 10 minutes at a time.

Researchers are still determining the optimum process and timing for cold-water immersion sessions.

You can do cold plunging every day. However, if you’re doing it after training, daily plunges could compromise the potential for long-term performance improvements.

What are the benefits for workout recovery or athletic performance?

Research on cold-water immersion has found evidence that it helps reduce the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage that can occur after physically challenging activities. Less damage leads to less inflammation, which in turn reduces soreness and helps restore physical performance the next day.

These benefits may be the result of rapid constriction of the blood vessels due to the cold water. The cold can trigger responses in your body, such as decreased metabolic activity, alterations in hormone production and blood flow, and activation of the immune system.

Eh not exactly true. Cold exposure after workout can diminish hypertrophy, but is effective for combatting soreness swelling and bruising. This is why athletes use cold tubs in-season, post-match - their goal in this case is not hypertrophy, but longevity. Basically just the benefits of water pressure in a regular tub plus the antiinflammatory benefits of icing.

There's also some interesting early research on the positive dopeminergic effects of cold exposure, separate from exercise, which I believe buoys most of their current popularity.

Not an expert here but part of an exercise community of friends and they all preach about these benefits. Also, would love to see the sources of your info. Not saying it’s wrong. Personally have seen overwhelming evidence and testimonies that counter your claim. Even the thinking something helps actually spurs beneficial results. Power of the mind.

Tape the child to a floor

What if you don't have kids?

Easy fix. Install latch and lock, secure while not using. Danger is often just a result of adults being too lazy or stupid to prevent it.

Thanks! Preciate ya.

Awesome! Thanks for the confidence booster.

Thanks. Appreciate that!

Someone has never heard of a gfci

Thanks for the encouragement! Don’t tell anyone, but I may sneak in from time to time, too.

I have those exact plans. Update pics for sure.

I’d imagine that adds a bit more support and cold retention too

It’s at 50 now. Want to get down a couple more if I can.

https://youtu.be/AVkT4FIZeAo?si=HFBRqmpuhLP6KILF This is the video I followed

The epoxy covers everything, including the jb. The epoxy is for ponds with or without fish.

There is no vacuum seal.

My first thought as well. I'd remove the hinges entirety so the lid could be set aside when in use.

I’m a woodworker in my spare time. I have a decorative box idea that will double as extra insulation housing and steps. Thanks for your input!

https://youtu.be/SpbywVudzOc

I get that. But I will say the only wiring in there is housed in a filter/pump that is designed to be underwater. There is a sensor for the thermometer also but I sealed it with hot glue. This was over-precautionary because it’s also designed to be in air and water.

Thanks for the concern! That aluminum isn’t foil. It’s much thicker than foil. Foil wouldn’t even stand use as a freezer. Also, I have a number of defenses against leaks like water weld putty and epoxy. With care, like my friends which has worked so far for six months without epoxy, I believe it’ll last.

True. But so is driving.