Important health and safety information for Oculus Quest

To reduce the risk of personal injury, discomfort or property damage, please ensure that all users of the headset read the warnings below carefully before using your VR system.

Review the hardware and software recommendations for use of the headset. Risk of discomfort may increase if recommended hardware and software are not used.

  • Your headset and software are not designed for use with any unauthorized device, accessory, software and/or content. Use of an unauthorized device, accessory, software and/or content or hacking the device, software or content may result in injury to you or others, may cause performance issues or damage to your system and related services, and may void your warranty
  • To reduce the risk of discomfort, properly adjust side and top straps, and ensure comfortable placement of the facial interface and that you see a single, clear image; this will aid in proper weight balance and distribution of the headset. Re-check the settings before resuming use after a break, to avoid any unintended changes to any adjustments.
  • Virtual reality is an immersive experience that can be intense. Frightening, violent or anxiety provoking content can cause your body to react as if it were real. Carefully choose your content if you have a history of discomfort or physical symptoms when experiencing situations. Oculus provides comfort ratings for some content, and you should review the comfort rating for your content before use. (For more details on comfort ratings and how they can assist in providing a comfortable experience, go to https://support.oculus.com/comfort. If you have a history of discomfort when exposed to certain content or experiences or are new to virtual reality, start with content rated Comfortable, before trying Moderate, Intense or Unrated content.
  • A comfortable virtual reality experience requires an unimpaired sense of motion and balance. Do not use the headset when you are: Tired; need sleep; under the influence of alcohol or drugs; hung-over; have digestive problems; under emotional stress or anxiety; or when suffering from cold, flu, headaches, migraines, or earaches, as this can increase your susceptibility to adverse symptoms.
  • Consult with your physician before using the headset if you are pregnant, elderly, have pre-existing binocular vision abnormalities or psychiatric disorders, or suffer from a heart condition or other serious medical condition.

General Precautions:

To reduce the risk of injury or discomfort you should always follow these instructions and observe these precautions while using the headset:

  • Use Only In A Safe Environment: The headset produces an immersive virtual reality experience that distracts you from and completely blocks your view of your actual surroundings.
    • Always be aware of your surroundings before beginning use and while using the headset. Use caution to avoid injury.
    • You are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment for use at all times.
    • Serious injuries can occur from tripping or running into or striking walls, furniture, other  objects or people, so clear an area for safe use before using the headset.
    • Consider having another person act as a spotter while you move around in a virtual world.
    • Use of the headset and Oculus controllers may result in a loss of balance.
    • Remember that the objects you see in the virtual environment do not exist in the real world, so don’t sit or stand on them or use them for support.
    • Remain seated unless your game or content experience requires standing or moving around your play area. If you are using the headset while seated, make sure you are seated on a secure surface and stable platform.
    • Take special care to ensure that you are not near items that you may impact or strike when using—or immediately after using—the headset, like other people, objects, stairs or steps, ramps, sidewalk(s), balconies, open doorways, windows, furniture, open flames (like candles or fireplaces), ceiling fans or light fixtures, televisions or monitors, or other things.
    • Use of the headset with glasses may increase the risk of facial injury if you fall or hit your face. While using the headset with controllers, you may extend your arms fully out to the side or over your head, so make sure those areas are clear.
    • Make sure your play area has a level, firm and even surface without loose carpeting or rugs, uneven surfaces or similar hazards. Remove any tripping hazards from the play area before using the headset.
    • Remember that while using the headset you may be unaware that people and pets may enter your play area.
    • Your view of your surroundings is completely blocked while you are using the headset, so do not hold or handle things that are dangerous, may injure you or may be damaged.
    • The headset is designed for use indoors. Use of the headset outdoors creates additional and uncontrolled hazards, like uneven surfaces and unexpected obstacles, traffic and pedestrians. Also, the Guardian System may not work properly outdoors.
    • Never wear the headset in situations that require attention, such as walking, bicycling, or driving.
  • Guardian System: The headset contains a boundary system feature, Guardian, designed to assist you in staying in your play area. If you enable it and define your play area, it will help you to be aware of the boundaries of your space. You can get more information about the Guardian System at https://support.oculus.com/guardian
    • Before defining your play area, make sure you survey it and clear it of potential hazards as defined in this Guide. The space you define with Guardian should be an area that is clear and away from potential hazards. Make sure your defined space provides for additional space as a buffer between it and potential hazards so you do not contact hazards if your movement carries you beyond the area you defined in Guardian or if you lose your balance or trip.
    • Guardian only assists if you enable it and properly define your play area. Before using the headset each time, confirm that Guardian is enabled, the play area is properly defined and that no new potential impact-hazards were introduced. The Guardian system is only a guide, and may not always show you the exact boundaries of your play area. Guardian may not track you properly in areas with featureless walls, glass or mirrors. You are still responsible for using the headset in a safe environment as described in this Guide.
    • The Guardian System will only alert you to the boundary of your play area. It cannot prevent you from moving out of your play area. For example, it will not prevent you from running into or contacting a wall, or falling through a door or window or down a stairwell. Take particular care to make sure that there are no hazardous areas (stairwells, windows, etc.) or objects immediately outside your play area that you might encounter if you do not react quickly enough to Guardian.
    • Guardian does not identify a boundary over the top of your play area, so take special care to identify that the area overhead is clear of potential hazards like light fixtures and ceiling fans. It will also not alert 18 you to floor hazards, so follow the instructions for a safe floor surface in this Guide.
    • Guardian does not identify everything in your play area, and will not alert you to items on furniture, like lamps, or other people or pets that may enter your play area after you have donned your headset.
    • Follow all on screen notifications for redefining the boundaries of your play area or functional availability of your system if prompted to do so.
    • Moving at high speeds may not permit you to react in time to stay in your play area, even if Guardian alerts you, so make sure you move slowly enough to react to any Guardian alerts.
    • Guardian may not work properly if your headset is dropped or damaged. Inspect your headset before use, and contact Box Bear if Guardian is not working properly.
  • Pass-Through Feature: Your headset is equipped with a “pass-through” feature which uses a camera to display your surroundings on your headset screen for brief real world interaction, and is used to set up the Guardian system. The pass-through feature displays a distorted view of the physical world, and may lag behind Iatency) what is actually occurring. Do not use the pass-through feature to navigate in the physical world. Remove your headset so you have an undistorted view.
  • Always remove your headset for any situation that requires attention or coordination.
  • The distorted view of the physical world displayed by the pass-through feature may cause temporary effects if used for a long period of time.
  • Effects from use of the pass-through may put you at an increased risk of injury when engaging in normal activities in the real world. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in other visually or physically demanding activities that have potentially serious consequences (i.e., activities in which experiencing any symptoms could lead to death, personal injury, or damage to property), or other activities that require unimpaired balance and hand-eye coordination (such as playing sports or riding a bicycle, etc.) until you have fully recovered from any effects.
  • Ease into the use of the headset to allow your body to adjust; use for only a few minutes at a time at first, and only increase the amount of time using 20 the headset gradually as you grow accustomed to virtual reality. Looking around and using the input device when first entering virtual reality can help you adjust to any small differences between your real-world movements and the resulting virtual reality experience.
  • Do not use the headset while in a moving vehicle such as a car, bus, or train, as variation in speed (velocity) or sudden movements may increase your susceptibility to adverse symptoms.
  • Take at least a 10 to 15 minute break every 30 minutes, even if you don’t think you need it. Each person is different, so take more frequent and longer breaks if you feel discomfort. You should decide what works best for you.
  • It is normal for your headset to feel warm to the touch while in use or while charging. Prolonged skin contact with a headset that is hot to the touch may produce skin discomfort or redness, or low temperature burns. If your headset feels hot to the touch or is uncomfortably warm, stop using or charging it, and allow it to cool down.
  • To prevent possible hearing damage, do not listen at high volume levels for long periods. The rings on your controllers extend away from your hands. Use caution when moving your hands and arms so you do not strike yourself with the controllers.

Seizures:

Some people (about 1 in 4000) may have severe dizziness, seizures, eye or muscle twitching or blackouts triggered by light flashes or patterns, and this may occur while they are watching TV, playing video games or experiencing virtual reality, even if they have never had a seizure or blackout before or have no history of seizures or epilepsy. Such seizures are more common in children and young people. Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should discontinue use of the headset and see a doctor. If you previously have had a seizure, loss of awareness, or other symptom linked to an epileptic condition you should see a doctor before using the headset.

System Alerts:

For your protection, the headset will provide you with the following alerts:

  • An audible and visual alert when the headset is overheating. If that alert appears/sounds, to reduce the risk of personal injury, immediately remove your headset and let it cool down before continuing use.
  • A visual alert in the event of high volume levels. If that alert appears, lower the sound volume to reduce the risk of hearing loss.
  • A visual alert if Guardian is not operating properly. If that alert appears, remove your headset and move to an place in your play area where Guardian is operating.

Discomfort:

  • Immediately discontinue using the headset if any of the following symptoms are experienced: seizures; loss of awareness; eye strain; eye or muscle twitching; involuntary movements; altered, blurred, or double vision or other visual abnormalities; dizziness; disorientation; impaired balance; impaired hand-eye coordination; excessive sweating; increased salivation; nausea; lightheadedness; discomfort or pain in the head or eyes; drowsiness; fatigue; or any symptoms similar to motion sickness.
  • Just as with the symptoms people can experience after they disembark a cruise ship, symptoms of virtual reality exposure can persist and become more apparent hours after use. These post-use symptoms can include the symptoms above, as well as excessive drowsiness and decreased ability to multi-task. These symptoms may put you at an increased risk of injury when engaging in normal activities in the real world. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in other visually or physically demanding activities that have potentially serious consequences (i.e., activities in which experiencing any symptoms could lead to death, personal injury, or damage to property), or other activities that require unimpaired balance and hand-eye coordination (such as playing sports or riding a bicycle, etc.) until you have fully recovered from any symptoms.
  • Do not use the headset until all symptoms have completely subsided for several hours.
  • Be mindful of the type of content that you were using prior to the onset of any symptoms because you may be more prone to symptoms based upon the content being used. Review the comfort rating for the content you were using, and consider using content with a more appropriate comfort rating.
  • See a doctor if you have serious and/or persistent symptoms. Headset Battery and Charging Your headset contains a rechargeable Lithium- Ion battery and may come with a power adapter (charger) and charging cable. Improper use of the battery or power adapter may result in a fire, explosion, battery leakage or other hazard. Follow these instructions to reduce the risk of injury to you or others, or damage to your product.
  • The battery in your headset is not user replaceable or serviceable. Do not attempt to open your headset to access the battery, open, repair or replace the battery. Please contact Box Bear, if you need battery or power management support for your device.
  • Only charge your headset with the included power adapter and cable, or an approved power adapter and cable if not included. Do not use other cables or power adapters. If you are unsure about whether a cable or power adapter is compatible with your headset, contact Box Bear.
  • Periodically inspect connection cords, connector tips and the power adapter for damage or signs of wear. Do not use your power adapter if prong(s), enclosure, connector port, connector cable or any part is damaged, cracked, or exposed.
  • Do not use external battery packs or power sources other than the included power adapter or authorized accessories to charge the battery or power the headset.
  • Do not attempt to charge or use the headset it if does not turn on after attempted charging, if it gets abnormally warm when it is used or charged, or if the battery compartment is swollen, leaking liquid or smoking.
  • Do not disassemble, crush, bend or deform, puncture, shred or put a high degree of pressure on the headset. This can cause leakage or an internal short-circuit in the battery, resulting in overheating.
  • Avoid dropping your headset. Dropping it, especially on a hard surface, can potentially cause damage to the headset and battery. Inspect your headset for visual damage before each use. If you suspect damage to your headset or battery, contact Box Bear.
  • Do not let your headset get wet or come in contact with liquids. Even though the headset may dry and appear to operate normally, the battery contacts or circuitry could slowly corrode and pose a safety hazard. If the headset gets wet, contact Box Bear, even if the headset appears to be working normally.
  • Do not place your headset in areas that may get very hot, such as on or near a cooking surface, cooking appliance, iron or radiator or in direct sunlight. Excessive heating can damage the headset or the battery and could cause the headset or the battery to explode. Do not dry a wet or damp headset with an appliance or heat source such as a microwave oven, hair dryer, iron or radiator. Avoid leaving your headset in a car in high temperatures.
  • In the event of a battery leak, do not allow the liquid to come in contact with the skin or eyes. If contact has been made, wash the affected area with large amounts of water and seek medical advice.
  • Always ensure that the headset has adequate ventilation and air flow while in use or charging. Covering the headset with materials that significantly affect air flow may affect its performance and poses a possible risk of fire or explosion. Your headset and power adapter (if provided) comply with applicable limits for industry surface temperature standards. To prevent potential low-temperature burns from prolonged direct contact, avoid direct skin contact with your power adapter for long periods of time when charging, or when plugged into a power source. Ensure the power adapter is in a well-ventilated area, when in use. Use the approved charging cable to optimize proximity of your device to the adapter; do not place adapter under a pillow, blanket or part of your body. Users with special medical or physical conditions that impair the ability to detect heat against your skin should take special care when using the device or charging with the power adapter. Follow any thermal warnings and advisory that may appear on your device’s screen.

Repetitive Stress Injury:

Using the device may make your muscles, joints, neck, hand(s), or skin hurt. If any part of your body becomes tired or sore while using the headset or its components, or if you feel symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning or stiffness, stop and rest for several hours before using it again. If you continue to have any of the above symptoms or other discomfort during or after use, stop use and see a doctor.

Interference with Medical Devices:

The headset and controller(s) may contain magnets or components that emit radio waves, which could affect the operation of nearby electronics, including cardiac pacemakers, hearing aids and defibrillators. If you have a pacemaker or other implanted medical device, do not use the headset and controller without first consulting your doctor or the manufacturer of your medical device. Maintain a safe distance between the headset and controller and your medical devices. Stop using the headset and/or controller(s) if you observe a persistent interference with your medical device. 

Risks associated with freedom of movement:

Your headset provides 6 degrees of freedom, which allows you to move around in your physical world while you experience a virtual world. Your headset is also self-contained and it is not connected to a computer by a cable while in use so you have more freedom to move. Along with the freedom to explore your virtual world come additional responsibilities for you to have a safe experience. Move carefully while you explore the virtual world with 6 degrees of freedom. Fast or abrupt motion may cause a collision or loss of balance.

Children:

This product is not a toy and should not be used by children under the age of 13, as the headset is not sized for children and improper sizing can lead to discomfort or adverse health effects, and younger children are in a critical period in visual development. Adults should make sure children (age 13 and older) use the headset in accordance with these health and safety warnings including making sure the headset is used as described in the Before Using Your VR System and the Safe Environment section. Adults should monitor children (age 13 and older) who are using or have used the headset for any of the symptoms described in these health and safety warnings (including those described under the Discomfort and Repetitive Stress Injury sections), and should limit the time children spend using the headset and ensure they take breaks during use. Prolonged use should be avoided, as this could negatively impact hand-eye coordination, balance, and multi-tasking ability. Adults should monitor children closely during and after use of the headset for any decrease in these abilities.