Media Release

ENSURING THE SAFETY, HEATH AND WELLBEING OF PARTICIPANTS IN SWEAT LODGES

The tragic events surrounding of the death of Rowan Douglas Cooke as the result of dehydration while doing a sweat lodge in the Adelaide Hills on 3rd November 2004 was not in anyway connected or associated with the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society, nor with any individual who is a member of SOTEMS.

Anthony Ernest Schapel, Deputy State Coroner made the following recommendations as a result of the expert advice of Prue Blackmore, a SOTEMS member who gave evidence to the Inquest:

That the Department of Health and any other relevant authority issue public advice as to the use of sweat lodges and in particular:

a)      as to the dangers associated with exposure to high temperatures for prolonged periods in a confined space, and;

b)      as to the dangers associated with the practice of sweat lodge rituals in remote areas that have limited access to communications and medical facilities;

c)      as to the need for all participants to understand that any medical emergency requires standard urgent medically supervised and monitored treatment;

d)      as to the need for adequate communication, knowledge of first aid and treatment for heat related illness and the recognition of symptoms of the same and the need for a proper plan for the evacuation of an unwell person in the event of an emergency;

e)      as to the need for care to be taken in the selection of co-participants in sweat lodges;

f)        as to the need for care to be taken in assessing the character and antecedents of persons who apparently hold positions of influence in the conduct of sweat lodges;

g)      as to the need for care to be taken in assessing the belief system of the persons with whom they participate in sweat lodges.

For a detailed copy of the findings please go to

http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/courts/coroner/findings/findings_2007/cooke.finding.htm

SOTEMS continues to adhere to the above which has been the protocol for running sweat lodges throughout Australia for the last ten years or more. SOTEMS also ensure all facilitators are trained over several years and have a recognised current Level 2 First Aid Certificate.

ENSURING THE SAFETY, HEATH AND WELLBEING OF PARTICIPANTS IN SWEAT LODGES

Copyright © 2004 Spirit Of The Earth Medicine Society (SOTEMS) Last modified: 20-Sep-2007