Hawaii now without any recompression chamber

[stuartv]

Maybe the next generation of dive computers will interface with hyperbaric chambers. It’s kind of interesting you need a trained doctor to run a chamber, but can use a $120 computer to “prescribe” a decompression ascent.

Yeah, but the computer isn't going to know what to do if you start to tox or your stomach starts hurting or your toes go numb, or your vision gets blurry or ... or... or....

It's like teaching scuba diving. Most any diver could probably teach someone else how the basics. The problem is the "teacher" knowing (or not) how to handle any of the vast array of problems that COULD happen during the process.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Maybe the next generation of dive computers will interface with hyperbaric chambers. It’s kind of interesting you need a trained doctor to run a chamber, but can use a $120 computer to “prescribe” a decompression ascent.

Requirements for certification seem to be a likely obstacle. While a nurse or EMT is eligible for hyperbaric technologist certification, the requirements include:

480 hours of pressure-related medical experience, with 40hrs clinical internship.

24 continuing education credits every 2 years, 12 in pressure-related topics.

I wonder what kind of training the computer algorithm writers have...

I read that deco chambers were run by Divers in the past, but personnel needs outgrew the supply.

Yeah, but the computer isn't going to know what to do if you start to tox or your stomach starts hurting or your toes go numb, or your vision gets blurry or ... or... or....

It's like teaching scuba diving. Most any diver could probably teach someone else how the basics. The problem is the "teacher" knowing (or not) how to handle any of the vast array of problems that COULD happen during the process.

A computer should never be in primary control of a large 6ATA Recompression Chamber in a clinical or emergency treatment; the Chamber Operator and Director/Shift Supervisor manually control all gas supply and venting operations, following printed treatment tables and monitoring all instrumentation and Patient Tender communications. A Recorder writes down all events/Physician's Orders along an elapsed timeline.

For a diving casualty undergoing HBOT in a large multiplace auxiliary lock chamber, you need a Patient Tender to facilitate putting on the Oxygen Regulator/BIBS, and removing it for ambient Air Breaks according to treatment schedule; an ER/CHRN Nurse or Paramedic is also there to provide ACLS as needed. An ER Physician with hyperbaric sub-specialty is present as needed to prescribe ACLS -going into the auxiliary lock to be pressurized at treatment ambient atmosphere to examine the patient, and then decompress and return to surface pressure via the auxiliary lock (legally, he must make firm diagnoses, treatment decisions and written Physician's Orders at surface pressure -and NOT under the potential influence of hyperbaric Nitrogen Narcosis).

On-call Volunteers such as Scuba Divers, can be locally trained for covering 24/7 Chamber Operations, with the only required medical professional board licensing personnel being the Physician & RN (preferably with UHMS hyperbaric sub-specialty certification) and a Paramedic, for treatment of emergency Dive Casualty Patients only. For all other medical outpatients, such as diabetic wound care for example, all attending chamber operators, recorders and tenders must be professionally trained and certified by UHMS standards.

 

[Sam Miller III]

@Kevrumbo

As usual ...

What a great post !

What great information !

@Aloha Joe
You might want to apply for the yearly Catalina Hyperbaric chamber course. After completion of the course and the required internship you will have a certain amount of knowledge about decompression chamber operation.

SDM

 

[Akimbo]

There's a big difference between being a chamber operator and a hyperbaric medical technician or physician. Proper diagnosis is the big problem, learning to run a chamber is easier than Scuba 101. There's a lot more to learning to run a saturation or large multiplace HBOT complex, but one of these is pretty simple:

 

[Peter69_56]

I'm pretty sure Chuuk will accept bent Hawaii divers....

I think often Chuuk has staffing issues which make their chamber unavailable often.

 

[Sam Miller III]

There's a big difference between being a chamber operator and a hyperbaric medical technician or physician...

You are so correct --- All "diving doctors" are not alike.

My son Sam IV is currently the Director of ER/Hyperbaric at a Regional Hospital on the central coast of California.

Point made

 

[sealark]

If the Navy is closing chambers why not have the Hawaii politicians try to get one of them I doubt the Navy would want to transfer one of the large double chambers. All the rescue and salvage ships have a chamber on them.

 

[scottitheduck]

We are up and operational again here on Oahu......

UH Reopens Center That Treats Sick Scuba Divers

 

[iamrushman]

this is good news...thanks for sharing.

 

[Akimbo]

If the Navy is closing chambers why not have the Hawaii politicians try to get one of them I doubt the Navy would want to transfer one of the large double chambers. All the rescue and salvage ships have a chamber on them.

Civilian chambers in the US need to have ASME/PVHO (American Society of Mechanical Engineers/Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy) certifications. A lot of the older Navy chambers were built to Mil-Specs instead.