Some fear sweat lodge tragedy’s effect in Oklahoma

Dr. Brendon McCollom, a Mercy Northwest Family Clinic physician who specializes in sports medicine, said the Sedona, Ariz., sweat lodge participants showed blatant "signs of heat exhaustion.”

"Physically, there was no benefit to what they were doing,” McCollom said. "You might initially lose weight in water, but not fat.”

McCollom warns that anyone with a chronic medical condition such as heart or kidney disease should avoid saunas and sweat lodges.

Ron Jackson, Staff Writer

Amayra Hamilton, who owns Angel Valley with her husband, said there was nothing wrong with the lodge itself. and her center had no part in how Ray ran the ceremony.

The three deaths and hospitalization of 18 other participants came at the end of a five-day Ray-led "Spiritual Warrior” program.

Associated press