Service Terms
SAFETY AND HEALTH WARNINGS
These safety and health warnings are periodically updated for accuracy and completeness. Always check the latest version on the website www.meivr.pt.
SAFETY AND HEALTH WARNINGS:
To reduce the risk of bodily injury, discomfort, and property damage, please ensure that all users of virtual reality experiences read the following warnings carefully.
Before experiencing virtual reality:
● If you have a history of epilepsy, seizures, loss of consciousness, other symptoms related to epilepsy, are pregnant, elderly, have pre-existing binocular vision abnormalities, psychiatric disorders, heart disease, have a pacemaker, programmable valves (“shunts”), hearing aids, defibrillators, another implanted medical device, or any other serious medical condition, consult a doctor before participating in virtual reality experiences.
● Read, listen to, and follow all usage instructions for the equipment and virtual reality goggles provided by the virtual reality experience support teams.
● A comfortable virtual reality experience requires an unaltered sense of movement and balance; avoid virtual reality experiences if you lack any of these.
● Do not engage in virtual reality experiences or use virtual reality equipment and goggles if you are tired, sleepy, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hungover, have digestive issues, are emotionally stressed or anxious, or have a cold, flu, headache, migraine, or earache, as this can increase susceptibility to adverse symptoms.
● Some people (about 1 in 4,000) may be sensitive to flashing lights, flickering, light flashes, noises, or geometric shapes and patterns, which can trigger epilepsy, dizziness, seizures, epileptic seizures, or fainting while using virtual reality goggles or watching 3D videos, even if they have never had seizures or fainted before, or do not have a history of seizures or epilepsy. These seizures are more common in children and young people under 20 years old.
Children:
● Adults should supervise children to ensure they comply with the recommendations provided by adults and with health and safety guidelines.
● Virtual reality equipment and goggles should not be used by children under 13, as they are in a critical period of visual development. Consult your child's doctor or an ophthalmologist before allowing children under 13 to use virtual reality equipment, goggles, or view 3D video images.
● Adults should monitor children (aged 13 or older) while using virtual reality equipment and goggles for any symptoms, limit their usage time, and ensure they take breaks.
● Prolonged use of virtual reality equipment and goggles by children should be avoided as it can negatively impact hand-eye coordination, balance, and multifunctional abilities. Adults should monitor children during and after using virtual reality equipment and goggles for any decline in abilities or symptoms mentioned in the health and safety warnings.
General Precautions: To reduce the risk of injury or discomfort, always follow these instructions and observe these precautions when using virtual reality equipment and goggles:
● Upon entering the Madeira Immersive Experiences virtual reality center, store your personal belongings, bags, cell phones, and electronic devices in a locker. Keep the key with you. Upon leaving the center, retrieve your personal belongings and leave the locker closed with the key in the lock.
● Do not use cell phones, mobile devices, or photographic equipment during experiences. These can interfere with the functioning of your experience and those around you. Electronic devices interfere with the experiences and the computer systems used.
● Virtual reality equipment and goggles provide an immersive experience that can distract and block your vision of your real environment.
● Be aware of your surroundings before starting and while using virtual reality equipment and goggles. Take care to avoid injuries.
● The use of virtual reality equipment and goggles may cause loss of balance.
● Remember that objects seen in the virtual environment may not exist in the real environment; therefore, do not sit on, stand on, or use these objects for support.
● For a safer experience, remain seated or still (when informed by the team), but you may walk when previously informed, whenever using virtual reality equipment and goggles.
● Serious injuries can occur from tripping, colliding, or bumping into walls, furniture, or other objects. Take precautions for safe use of virtual reality equipment and goggles.
● Take special care to ensure you are not near other people, objects, steps, balconies, open doors, furniture, flames, or other objects you might bump into or knock over while using—or immediately after using—virtual reality equipment and goggles.
● Remove any tripping hazards from the area before using virtual reality equipment and goggles.
● Remember that while using virtual reality equipment and goggles, you may not know that people and pets could be near you. Take measures to prevent pets, children, or other obstacles from entering your play area during virtual reality use.
● Do not handle sharp, cutting, flammable, or dangerous objects while using virtual reality equipment and goggles.
● Ensure that the virtual reality goggles are properly placed and adjusted comfortably on your head and that you see a single clear image.
● If you have vision limitations, you can wear your personal glasses during virtual reality experiences.
● Gradually start using the virtual reality goggles to allow your body to adjust, and initially use them for only a few minutes.
● As your confidence increases, you can extend the usage time of the virtual reality equipment and goggles as you get more accustomed to virtual reality.
● Looking around upon first entering a virtual reality experience can help you adjust to any slight differences between your movements in the real world and your virtual reality experience.
● Take breaks of at least 10 to 15 minutes every 30 minutes, even if you believe you do not need them. Everyone is different, so take more frequent and longer breaks if you feel discomfort.
● Listening to sounds at high volumes can cause irreparable hearing damage. Due to the immersive nature of the virtual reality experience, do not use the virtual reality goggles at high volume to maintain awareness of your surroundings and reduce the risk of hearing damage.
● Do not use the virtual reality equipment and goggles while charging cables are connected.
● Ensure you use the wrist straps provided by the support team throughout the experience.
● Hold the virtual reality equipment and goggles firmly to avoid them slipping from your hands.
● Do not shake the virtual reality equipment and goggles excessively.
Discomfort:
● Immediately stop using the virtual reality equipment and goggles if you experience any of the following symptoms: seizures, loss of consciousness, eye strain, discomfort or pain in the head or eyes, eye or muscle spasms, involuntary movements, altered, blurred, or double vision, or other visual anomalies, dizziness, migraine, disorientation, impaired balance, impaired hand-eye coordination, muscle spasms, increased salivation, nausea, vertigo, fainting, confusion, disorientation, drowsiness, fatigue, or any symptoms similar to motion sickness.
● Just like symptoms people can experience after disembarking from a cruise ship, symptoms of virtual reality exposure can persist and become more noticeable hours after use. These post-use symptoms may include the above symptoms, as well as excessive drowsiness and decreased multifunctional ability.
● If you experience any of the above symptoms after using virtual reality, do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in visually or physically demanding activities, or activities that require unaltered balance and hand-eye coordination (such as sports or cycling) until you have fully recovered from any symptoms.
● Do not use virtual reality goggles until all symptoms have completely disappeared for several hours.
● Be aware of the type of content you were using before any symptoms started, as you may be more prone to certain symptoms depending on the content being used.
● Consult a doctor if you experience serious and/or persistent symptoms.
Repetitive Stress Injury:
● Using virtual reality goggles can cause muscle, joint, and skin discomfort. If any part of your body becomes tired or sore while using the goggles, or if you experience symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burns, or stiffness, stop and rest before using the virtual reality equipment and goggles again.
● If you continue to experience any of the above symptoms or feel any other discomfort during or after use, stop using the virtual reality equipment and goggles and consult a doctor promptly.
Interference with Medical Devices:
● The virtual reality equipment and goggles contain parts that may emit radio waves. They can affect the normal operation of electronic devices nearby, including pacemakers, programmable valves (“shunts”), hearing aids, defibrillators, and other implanted medical devices. If you have any implanted medical device, do not use virtual reality goggles without first consulting your doctor or the manufacturer of your medical device.
● If there are no medical contraindications, maintain a safe distance between the virtual reality goggles and your medical device, and stop using the goggles if you observe persistent interference with your medical device.
Batteries:
● RISK OF CHOKING AND CHEMICAL BURNS
● Controllers are not toys. They contain batteries, which are small parts. Keep them out of the reach of children under 3 years old.
● If a battery is swallowed, it can cause severe internal burns and potential esophagus perforation within just 2 hours, which can be fatal.
● If you suspect that a battery has been swallowed or inserted into any part of the body, seek immediate medical help.
● If the battery compartment does not close properly, stop using the equipment and keep it out of the reach of children.
● Risk of fire. Batteries can overheat or catch fire if exposed directly to fire or high temperatures.
● Do not allow conductive materials to touch the battery terminals. Keep the batteries dry and avoid water exposure.
● Do not disassemble, puncture, or attempt to modify the batteries.
Electrical Shock: To reduce the risk of electrical shock:
● Do not modify or open any of the provided virtual reality equipment.
● Do not use the virtual reality equipment or goggles if any cables or parts are damaged or incorrectly connected.
If a power adapter is provided:
● Do not expose the power adapter to liquids or moisture.
● Keep the power adapter away from flames and other heat sources.
● Use only the power adapter provided with the virtual reality equipment.
Damaged or Broken Equipment:
● Do not use virtual reality equipment if any part is broken or damaged.
● Do not attempt to repair any part of the provided virtual reality equipment or goggles. Repairs should only be carried out by the support team or an authorized service provider.
Contagious Conditions: To avoid transferring contagious conditions (such as conjunctivitis or others), do not share virtual reality equipment and goggles with people with contagious conditions, infections, or diseases, especially those affecting the eyes, skin, or scalp. The support team will ensure that the virtual reality equipment and goggles are cleaned between each use with antibacterial wipes that are gentle on the skin (especially the lenses) and dried with a microfiber cloth.
Skin Irritation: The virtual reality equipment and goggles are worn close to your skin and scalp. Stop using the equipment and goggles if you notice swelling, itching, or other irritation. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor promptly.
To avoid damage to the virtual reality goggles or other equipment:
● Do not leave the equipment and goggles in direct sunlight. Direct exposure to the sun can damage the equipment and goggles.
● Do not point a laser or external light source through the lenses of the virtual reality goggles, as this can damage the lenses.
● When no longer using the virtual reality equipment and goggles, ensure they are returned to the support team members to minimize unintentional damage or environmental exposure.