How much training is required for hyperbaric pressure chamber treatment?

[ssssnake529]

I've noticed that there are some boats that have their own pressure chambers for treating DCS. I suppose this makes sense if you are diving in a remote location, where access to shore based treatment is not feasible.

It makes me wonder how much training is required to treat someone in such a chamber. I am curious what sort of person is required to operate the chamber.

What sort of training is standard to treat DCS in a chamber?

 

[rjack321]

I've noticed that there are some boats that have their own pressure chambers for treating DCS. I suppose this makes sense if you are diving in a remote location, where access to shore based treatment is not feasible.

It makes me wonder how much training is required to treat someone in such a chamber. I am curious what sort of person is required to operate the chamber.

What sort of training is standard to treat DCS in a chamber?

As an operator (working under the direction of a hyperbaric physician) you're looking at about a week's worth of time

 

[ssssnake529]

So a hyperbaric physician would be required staff too?
These boats must have large crews if their hyperbaric chamber (which hopefully is never used) needs an M.D. and an operator for the chamber.

 

[girlwithbigtanks]

So a hyperbaric physician would be required staff too?
These boats must have large crews if their hyperbaric chamber (which hopefully is never used) needs an M.D. and an operator for the chamber.

Physician as medical director, on contract to diagnose and lay out treatment, by phone. DMT on board with operator/operators.

 

[rjack321]

So a hyperbaric physician would be required staff too?
These boats must have large crews if their hyperbaric chamber (which hopefully is never used) needs an M.D. and an operator for the chamber.

HBOT is a prescription drug.

Your DCS require a physician to diagnose you and come up with a treatment plan - which can be done via phone or video conference. DCS may not be DCS and could be something else, like a heart attack, or pulmonary embolus or myriad of other differential diagnoses. A crewmember can be trained as an operator, in fact you might need more than one crewmember trained as an operator. So that for a long treatment plan of HBOT they can work in shifts.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

As an operator (working under the direction of a hyperbaric physician) you're looking at about a week's worth of time

I'd add that that would be the minimum educational requirement. You don't get much hands-on chamber practice in a 40-hour hyperbaric course, so the chamber operator would have to go through some additional practical training in order to become proficient. Also, there would need to be someone physically on the boat with enough medical training to perform a focused physical examination, including a thorough neurological exam.

Best regards,
DDM