How to Conduct an Immersion Baptism, Step by Step

A well-run immersion baptism comes down to preparation, not improvisation. Here is the full sequence, from filling the pool to drying off, for a church holding a service for the first time or looking to make its routine more reliable.

One week ahead: preparation

Confirm the candidates and brief them: bring a change of clothing (dark clothes that don't turn see-through when wet), walk through the gesture, note that the time under water is very brief.
Choose the location: a flat, firm floor, near a water point for filling and a drain for emptying, with a dedicated power socket if the water needs heating on site.
Check the equipment: pool structure, drain valve, fill hose, towels, robes, and a space to change.

On the day: setup and filling

Set up the pool. The Kollder portable baptistry unfolds and sets up in under 2 minutes, by one person, with no tools.
Fill it. Plan for 130 to 185 gallons for a 205 × 80 × 60 cm (81 × 31 × 24 in) pool, roughly 15 to 30 minutes on a garden hose depending on flow, or the equivalent in containers where no water point is nearby.
Set the level and temperature. A water depth of 20 to 24 in (50 to 60 cm) covers an adult lying down. Aim for water around 86°F (30°C), at room temperature or warmed beforehand, with none of the cold-water requirement of a medical tub.

Just before the service

Brief the officiant and the assistant: agree on the hold (one hand behind the upper back, one on the forearm) and the signal that starts the immersion.
Make the surroundings safe: a non-slip mat at the entry and exit, towels and robes within reach, a warm space to change.
Let the candidate step in and get used to the water for a moment before the gesture.

The baptism itself

The candidate stands or sits in the center of the pool, depending on mobility. The officiant stands alongside, in the water.
After the words of the service, the officiant lowers the candidate backward into a full, brief immersion, head included, then raises them smoothly.
A pause, then support to the edge of the pool.

After the immersion

Towel, robe, a warm space. Have a dedicated helper for each candidate at the exit.
Between candidates, the same water stays usable for the whole session.
After the service: drain through the valve, rinse with clean water, dry the structure before folding it into its carry bag.