3 Benefits of Building Your Own Sauna

Everyone dreams of having a sauna in their backyard, but few possess the gumption to actually roll up their sleeves and do it. If you're one of the people willing to buck the trend, here are three benefits you'll enjoy from your own personalized steam room.

1: The Perfect Size

Want a romantic sauna for two? How about a big sauna for relaxing with the girls? However you've been envisioning your backyard paradise, your dreams can become a reality when you build it from scratch. No more crowded rooms or creepy strangers on an empty bench! You make the guest list, and you decide who gets to visit.

2: Acceptable Temperatures

There's nothing more frustrating than being in a cozy, comfortable sauna that's just a little too cold to fully enjoy. Likewise, if it's a sauna boiling your blood, it doesn't really matter how soft the towels are. Building your own sauna will give you complete control over the heat so you'll only bake as much as you wish and not a degree more.

3: Creature Comforts

Depending on things like your infrared output and core building temperature, you may be able to bedazzle your sauna with flat-screen TVs or surround sound home theaters. Not only will you be able to escape the grind of daily life, but you can also enjoy The Real Housewives of Atlanta while you do it!

There are many pros to owning your own sauna; these are just a few. The next time you take a trip to a resort spa, look around and tell yourself, I'm going to do it better!

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4 Essentials for the Modern Arborist

There's no better way to understand trees than to climb high and study them firsthand. This practice isn't without danger, however, particularly if you're scaling the trunk alone. To be fully prepared in case of an emergency, here are a few tools that should always be in your pack as an arborist.

1: Aerial Waist Belt

You're already wearing one, but what if it fails? Have a back-up just in case. Make sure all your belts meet the criteria of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and come with a sliding d-ring for flexible mobility.

2: Fall Arrester

Stop a slide or dangerous descent with the belay system offered by a fall arrester. You control the slack and the safety lines; just tug on the ropes manually to move around the tree without worrying about breaking your neck.

3: Ascenders and Descenders

These simple tools become lifesavers if you're ever injured or stranded after your landing branch breaks. Many climbers shun them because they have a lofty opinion of their own skills, but this gear should be a part of everyone's self-rescue kit.

4: Rope Ladder

Spare yourself the embarrassment of getting stuck in a tree by rolling up a rope ladder and storing it in your pack for desperate times. The right kind of ladder won't hog a lot of room, but it may save you a lot of trouble one day.

These are just a few must-haves in arborist safety gear. Good luck, and happy climbing!

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