Pages

How A Decompression Chamber Service Benefits Users

By Janine Hughes


When free divers began reaching previously unattainable depths during the mid-20th century, a new challenge presented itself. If they ascended too rapidly, dissolved gases in the blood reacted to the changes in pressure, producing bubbles that caused extreme pain, and could result in paralysis and death. The primary solution still in use is to slowly equalize internal pressure in a specially designed surface room. A decompression chamber service keeps that process running smoothly.

Also called hyperbaric chambers, they were adapted originally from steel boilers in ship power plants. Because they were already meant for high-pressure uses, boilers could be easily redesigned as sealed rooms with a capacity for more than one person. This solution proved successful, and that original concept is still being used, although greatly modified for increased safety.

Although metal is still used in certain models, most current chambers today are made of acrylics, and generally resemble a modern treatment room. In order to reduce boredom during long sessions spent inside, many are equipped with electronic entertainment centers. All employ the most advanced methods of preventing accidental fire, and most are computer controlled. Patient comfort is emphasized.

Those intended for use by a single individual are monoplace chambers, and the air mixture inside is replaced by pure oxygen when pressurized. They are the most common type, and are slightly more expensive than those made with metal frames. They have an excellent safety record and a reputation for reliability, and allow users to be closely monitored and observed medically.

A multiplace chamber can hold more people, and has advanced monitoring capabilities. Many have more than one airlock that allows the room to be completely sealed. Pure oxygen is not piped in generally, but is given to patients individually using a mask or hood, or sometimes through an endotracheal tube. Not filling the entire space with pure oxygen reduces accidental fires. Several people with differing levels of trouble can be treated at one time.

Hospitals today use the same kind of pressurized oxygen to treat patients with problems healing normally. Spending time in a hyperbaric chamber can assist those with open diabetic sores, people who have been badly burned and require skin grafting, and those who have sustained crushing injuries in an accident or are recovering from chemotherapy. The pressure measurably increases the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Because of these systems are integral during emergencies, unexpected down-time is unacceptable. Specific services exist today that specialize not only in the installation of these facilities, but also help maintain them in peak operating condition. The emphasis today is on rapid employee deployment whenever mechanical repair issues arise, and remote computer diagnostics allows developing problems to be discovered quickly.

These specialized businesses not only keep their products operational, but may also provide targeted training for hospital operators and administrators in centers that replicate the latest procedures and equipment. Their goal is to significantly reduce the time necessary for routine service and upgrades, and to enable all locations using decompression to provide a high level of readiness.




About the Author: