Hyperbaric Medicine and Undersea

Hyperbaric Medicine is a therapy and a science of restoring or preserving health using the oxygen under increased pressure (hyper = increased, baric = pressure) 57.

The history of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is closely linked to the history of diving. Early breath-hold divers, dating back more than 5000 years, were confined to work in waters less than 30 meters (100 feet) deep, performing tasks such as harvesting food, coral, sponges and pearl as well as the odd ship salvage, a task which still captivates the attention and imagination of most modern age divers.

From those diving-medicine roots the field has grown into a modern clinical discipline; an overview of modern HBOT protocols shows how today's treatment pressures and schedules compare to the historical practice described above.

For detailed medical information, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.