Warnings and Safety Guidelines

Please read the warnings and safety guidelines carefully before using the product and keep it for future reference. Always follow all safety instructions to reduce the risk of injury or damage.

Contraindications

The following contraindications indicate situations in which the Pepper EMS Training System must not be used:

• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System if you have a pacemaker (artificial pacemaker), an implanted defibrillator, or any other implanted metallic or electronic device. Such use may result in electric shock, burns, electrical interference, or death.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System over a menstruating or pregnant uterus. The safety of using electrical muscle stimulators during pregnancy has not been established.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System if you have suffered extreme muscle strain or trauma, or if you suffer from a muscle condition such as rhabdomyolysis (a condition in which damaged skeletal muscles break down rapidly).
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System if you have been diagnosed with a heart problem or heart disease.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System if you have insufficient blood supply (ischemia) or severe circulatory disorders in the lower limbs.
• Do not use Pepper in cases of abdominal or inguinal hernia.

Precautions

Pepper recommends that you observe the following precautions before using the Pepper EMS Training System:

• Exercise caution if there is a tendency toward internal bleeding (hemorrhage) following trauma or fracture.
• Exercise caution following acute trauma or fracture, or after a recent surgical procedure, if muscle contraction may interfere with the healing process.
  Consult your physician before using Pepper if you have been diagnosed with epilepsy or another neurological disorder.
• Exercise caution if nerve damage is present that results in sensory impairment in a specific area of the body.
• Consult your physician before use if you have experienced loss of muscle tissue or muscle atrophy, experience muscle cramps, or have muscles associated with painful or affected joints.
• Consult your physician before use if you suffer from persistent pain.
• Consult your physician before use if you require muscle rehabilitation.
• Consult your physician before use if a heart condition is suspected. The device may cause potentially fatal cardiac rhythm disturbances in susceptible individuals.

Warnings & Safety Measures

The following general warnings and safety measures must be observed before using the Pepper EMS Training System:

• The Pepper EMS Training System is intended for adults only (≥ 22 years).
• Do not use the suit on body parts for which it is not intended.
• Do not touch the inside of the suit with your hands during training. If an adjustment is required, interrupt the training first and then make the adjustment.
• Modifications to the Pepper EMS Training System are not permitted.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System adjacent to or stacked with other devices.
• Do not use accessories, transducers, or cables other than those specified or supplied by Pepper, as this may result in increased electromagnetic emissions, reduced electromagnetic immunity, and improper operation.
• Do not charge the battery box while it is attached to the suit. The app blocks training while the battery box is charging and displays an error message.
• Stimulation should not be applied near metal. Remove all jewelry, piercings, belt buckles, or other removable metallic products or devices from the stimulation areas.
• Stimulation should not be applied over the neck (particularly the carotid sinus nerves), especially in users with known sensitivity to the carotid sinus reflex.
• Stimulation should not be applied over the neck or mouth. Severe spasms of the neck or airway muscles may occur, and contractions may be strong enough to obstruct the airway or cause breathing difficulties.
• Although the design of the Pepper EMS Training System prevents electrical current from passing through the thoracic cavity (transthoracic), stimulation should not be applied across the chest to prevent electrical current from reaching the heart, where it could cause irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias).
• Stimulation should not be applied to the head or to areas that could result in transcranial electrical stimulation. The effects of stimulation on the brain are not yet known.
• Stimulation should not be applied to swollen, infected, or inflamed areas, such as in cases of phlebitis (vein inflammation), thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the vein wall), or varicose veins (enlarged, elongated, and tortuous veins).
• The long-term effects of chronic electrical stimulation are not yet known.
• Stimulation should not be applied over or near cancerous lesions.
• Do not apply stimulation to muscle groups if you have concerns regarding your comfort or safety.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System if it is connected to electronic monitoring devices (e.g., heart monitors, ECG devices). These devices may not function properly when electrical stimulation is used.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System in water or in a wet environment (sauna, hydrotherapy, etc.).
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System in oxygen-rich environments, such as in the presence of oxygen tanks.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System while driving, operating machinery, cycling, or performing other activities in which electrical stimulation could pose a risk to yourself or others.
• Do not apply stimulation while sleeping.
• Keep the Pepper EMS Training System and its accessories out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System on animals.
• Ensure that no foreign objects (dirt, water, metal, etc.) enter the battery compartment.
• Do not attempt to open the suit or the battery compartment.
• Sudden temperature changes may cause condensation to form inside the battery compartment. Do not use the device until temperatures have normalized.
• Do not overexert yourself during electrical muscle stimulation training. Each training session should be performed at a level that is comfortable for you.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System when connected to high-frequency surgical equipment, as this may cause skin irritation or burns beneath the pads.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System near medical shortwave or microwave therapy equipment. This may cause instability of the battery box.
• The Pepper EMS Training System must not be used near medical devices such as MRI, CT, diathermy, or X-ray equipment, as these may alter the current generated by the battery box, cause tissue damage, and result in serious injury or death.
• The Pepper EMS Training System must not be used in areas where unshielded equipment emits electromagnetic radiation. Portable communication devices, RFID systems, and electromagnetic security systems (e.g., metal detectors and EAS systems) may interfere with the Pepper EMS Training System and alter the current it generates.
• Do not use portable RF communication equipment (including accessories such as antenna cables and external antennas) within a distance of less than 30 cm from any part of the Pepper EMS Training System, including cables. Failure to do so may impair the performance of this device.
• Do not attempt to open the suit or the battery compartment.
• Sudden temperature changes may cause condensation to form inside the battery compartment. Do not use the device until temperatures have normalized.
• Do not overexert yourself during electrical muscle stimulation training. Each training session should be performed at a level that is comfortable for you.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System when connected to high-frequency surgical equipment, as this may cause skin irritation or burns beneath the pads.
• Do not use the Pepper EMS Training System near medical shortwave or microwave therapy equipment. This may cause instability of the battery box.
• The Pepper EMS Training System must not be used near medical devices such as MRI, CT, diathermy, or X-ray equipment, as these may alter the current generated by the battery box, cause tissue damage, and result in serious injury or death.
• The Pepper EMS Training System must not be used in areas where unshielded equipment emits electromagnetic radiation. Portable communication devices, RFID systems, and electromagnetic security systems (e.g., metal detectors and EAS systems) may interfere with the Pepper EMS Training System and alter the current it generates.
• Do not use portable RF communication equipment (including accessories such as antenna cables and external antennas) within a distance of less than 30 cm from any part of the Pepper EMS Training System, including cables. Failure to do so may impair the performance of this device.
• Note: Not all RF emitters are visible. If you notice any unexpected change in intensity, immediately stop your training and contact Pepper.

Adverse Effects