Hyperbaric Oxygen Information

The Midlands Diving Chamber is a recompression chamber offering consultation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment for:

  • Scuba divers suffering from decompression illness (DCI)
  • Air or gas embolism
  • Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds
  • Exceptional blood loss (Anaemia)
  • Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
  • Radiation tissue damage (Osteoradionecrosis)
  • Skin grafts and Flaps (compromised)

Conditions in red above are treatable for free under the NHS. Other conditions are private only.

 

The Midlands Diving Chamber is a member of The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), which has published guidelines on the use of HBO for the above treatments.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a non-invasive medical treatment which involves breathing 100% oxygen at an increased pressure, through the use of a Hyperbaric Chamber.

Breathing 100% oxygen under pressure allows oxygen to dissolve into the blood plasma, when this occurs, increased amounts of oxygen can be delivered to injured tissues.

The Chamber located at the Hospital of St. Cross is a large Multi-place chamber which can accommodate up to 10 "divers" at once. A Hyperbaric Chamber, also known as a Diving Chamber, is best described as a "pressurised room".

Experimental HBOT

In the USA, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is used widely, and they are actively working on researching areas that HBOT can be used to benefit patients. more information about experimental Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy »

Evidence

Download the 14th edition of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society's Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications.

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