Hyperbaric medicine

Hyperbaric medicine is medical treatment in which an increase in barometric pressure of typically air or oxygen is used. The immediate effects include reducing the size of <a href="/facts/Gas_embolism/DC00yS4z">gas emboli</a> and raising the partial pressures of the gases present. Initial uses were in <a href="/facts/Decompression_sickness/aSpCCQaU">decompression sickness</a>, and it also effective in certain cases of <a href="/facts/Gas_gangrene/jc1ULMXc">gas gangrene</a> and <a href="/facts/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning/UyjKzy4W">carbon monoxide poisoning</a>. There are potential hazards. Injury can occur at pressures as low as 2 <a href="/facts/Psig/RMdeTlB0">psig</a> (13.8 kPa) if a person is rapidly decompressed. If oxygen is used in the hyperbaric therapy, this can increase the fire hazard. 
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is the medical use of greater than 99% <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a> at an ambient pressure higher than <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_pressure/wJLMSaVG">atmospheric pressure</a>, and therapeutic recompression. The equipment required consists of a <a href="/facts/Pressure_vessel_for_human_occupancy/uT8ps0YW">pressure vessel for human occupancy</a> (<a href="/facts/Hyperbaric_chamber/K0uRU4RY">hyperbaric chamber</a>), which may be of rigid or flexible construction, and a means of a controlled atmosphere supply. Treatment gas may be the ambient chamber gas, or delivered via a <a href="/facts/Built-in_breathing_system/2JSEzGhf">built-in breathing system</a>. Operation is performed to a predetermined schedule by personnel who may adjust the schedule as required.
Hyperbaric air (HBA), consists of compressed atmospheric air (79% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and minor gases) and is used for acute mountain sickness. This is created by placing the person in a <a href="/facts/Portable_hyperbaric_bag/sz9ne98w">portable hyperbaric air chamber</a> and inflating that chamber up to 7.35 psi gauge (1.5 <a href="/facts/Standard_atmosphere_(unit)/aTbYALII">atmospheres absolute</a>) using a foot-operated or electric air pump.
Chambers used in the US made for hyperbaric medicine fall under the jurisdiction of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires hyperbaric chambers to comply with the <a href="/facts/American_Society_of_Mechanical_Engineers/gpM3UR6G">American Society of Mechanical Engineers</a> PVHO Codes and the National Fire Protection Association Standard 99, Health Care Facilities Code. Similar conditions apply in most other countries.
Other uses include <a href="/facts/Arterial_gas_embolism/DC00yS4z">arterial gas embolism</a> caused by <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_barotrauma/saazRfqt">pulmonary barotrauma</a> of ascent. In emergencies <a href="/facts/Underwater_diving/yhjLjF1H">divers</a> may sometimes be treated by <a href="/facts/In-water_recompression/FMWRCp1X">in-water recompression</a> (when a chamber is not available) if suitable <a href="/facts/Diving_equipment/zom3PF45">diving equipment</a> (to reasonably secure the airway) is available.

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Hyperbaric medicine