Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and effective; drug free and often relaxing process for the patient and many have fallen asleep during treatment. When you arrive for your treatment, you will be asked to change into 100% cotton scrubs which are provided. The technician will walk through a quick checklist with you and then you’ll be asked to lie down on a stretcher. You will be given pillows and blankets to ensure comfort. The stretcher is then slid into a clear cylindrical acrylic tube and locked into place. The door to the chamber is then closed and the operator will place himself at the controls outside the chamber.
There is a two-way, open intercom system that allows the patient to speak to the operator and vice-versa. Once the chamber is closed and sealed, the operator will begin to pressurize the chamber with high concentrations of oxygen. The pressurization is done slowly as to avoid any major discomfort. The most common discomfort is ear popping and usually occurs in the first 2-5 minutes of treatment. (Similar to flying in a large airplane) Once the proper pressure/depth is reached, the patient remains in that environment for approx. one hour.
During the treatment or “dive” the patient will be able to watch any media or music they desire via TV outside the chamber with the sound plugged into the intercom system.
