Chamber ride

[00scuba]

I am going on my first chamber ride for a medical condition...wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect. It's a small one....looks like a tube.

Thank you in advance for any input!

 

[BigJetDriver]

If it is a one-person chamber, it is merely a large tube sitting in a horizontal position. If you are claustrophobic, this will not work for you.

You will wear either an O2 mask or clear hood, probably the former. You breathe O2, but the chamber is pressurized with air.

You will have to clear your ears continuously, and rapidly as the chamber "travels" or changes pressure. As a diver, you should be able to do this with relative ease.

As the operator fills or pressurizes the tube, it will get hot. As gas is vented to reduce pressure, it will get cold. It is also noisy.

Depending upon length of time for the treatment, it will be very boring. Other than that, no big deal.

Some chambers are set up so that you can hear music, or look through a port at a television screen outside. If the lighting is okay, you can read a book.

A little discomfort, a little noise, a lot boring, that about sums it up! Hope it helps. O2 under pressure is good for a whole lot of what ails us!

 

[mike_s]

take your dive computer with you.

It should be interesting to watch how it reacts to the pressure in the chamber as a dive and the nitrogen loading on your system.

I didn't know that you typically wore an oxygen mask (from what bigjetdriver said).
I guess you could ask the operator exactly what mixture you'll be breathing to
set your o2 mix to if you have a nitrox computer.

 

[DiverBuoy]

take your dive computer with you.

That's a great idea, you should ask to see if they would let you.

 

[Missdirected]

I have never seen a chamber but I hope you get the fancy one people speak of, with the movies and such.

I think that is a great idea to mess with your computer a little while you are in there.

Hope all is well.

 

[wedivebc]

take your dive computer with you.

r.

Be careful here. Some computers are damaged if exposed to "dry pressure" My Explorer requires me to put it in water before submerging it.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Call these people in Ft. Lauderdale:

http://www.nautilussystems.com/

We bought a chamber from this company, and I took training to run it. There are some pictures and an operation description if you just want to look.

Take something to read, dress comfortably, and be sure to go to the bathroom beforehand...eyebrow

 

[00scuba]

Thanks to everyone! I know its not the real fancy kind....very small but i was told they can play something outside chamber and i will see it through the tube.

i have to wear all cotton...no makeup, hair products, etc.....

My first dive without my buddy..have to admit I am a bit nervous

 

[BigJetDriver]

Sandy,

Don't be nervous. It is really a non-event. You just lie there and breathe O2. The treatment program typically runs you down to 60 fsw equivalent, but only in terms of overall air pressure.

I have spent a lot of time in chambers as a DMT, albeit larger ones than that. I can tell you that, other than having to equalize more, and more rapidly, and the boredom if you are not working, THAT'S IT!

If you do have trouble with your ears, just give the operator the "level off" sign, until you get them cleared.

You'll be fine!

 

[00scuba]

Thanks BJD...I am looking forward to it...and I appreciate your kind words!