FAQ

1. Are soft chambers the same as hard shelled chambers?

Soft, inflatable hyperbaric chambers differ significantly from medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chambers in several critical aspects. In short, No:

• FDA Approval and Legal Status
  While soft chambers have FDA clearance, this approval is limited specifically to treating acute mountain sickness. The FDA has issued warning letters to multiple manufacturers of soft chambers for making unauthorized medical claims and for dangerous modifications, such as adding oxygen fittings that violate NFPA 99 fire safety codes. These chambers are manufactured using petrochemicals including plastics and rubber, which offgas when exposed to 100% oxygen.

• Pressure Limitations
  Inflatable chambers can only achieve a maximum pressure of 1.3 atmospheres absolute (ATA), which falls below the minimum 1.5 ATA required for standard medical HBOT protocols in the United States. This pressure differential is clinically significant - research indicates that oxygen cannot effectively eliminate bacteria at pressures below 1.5 ATA, and in some cases, these lower pressures may actually promote the growth of certain microorganisms including bacteria, mold and fungus.

• Clinical Evidence and Application
  The scientific literature supporting HBOT's therapeutic benefits is based on studies conducted using hard medical-grade steel chambers, not soft inflatable units.While some providers of soft chamber treatments cite this research, the fundamental differences in pressure capabilities mean these studies cannot be reliably extrapolated to inflatable chambers. This distinction is reflected in clinical settings - inflatable chambers are notably absent from hospital environments where medical-grade HBOT is administered.

2. Is HBOT mainstream medicine?

HBOT is firmly established as conventional medicine in the United States through rigorous regulatory and medical frameworks:

3. Are all freestanding HBOT centers medical grade?

No. Freestanding hyperbaric facilities can provide quality care when properly staffed by a physician and appropriate medical personnel (nationally certified Hyperbaric Technicians, nurses, and emergency medical staff). However, due diligence is essential—confirm that the facility maintains safety and medical protocols equivalent to hospital standards, as quality varies significantly between providers.

While hospital-based centers are restricted to treating only insurance-approved conditions, reputable freestanding facilities can ethically treat additional conditions that may benefit from HBOT. Regardless of setting, authentic medical-grade HBOT always requires a prescription from a licensed MD, DO, or DDS physician.

4. What does the treatment feel like?

5. How many visits to the clinic will I need to complete my treatment?

Your unique treatment plan will be determined by established medical protocols for your specific condition. While certain acute issues like decompression sickness typically require only 1-2 hyperbaric sessions, chronic conditions such as radiation damage or persistent bacterial infections may necessitate 30 or more treatments. We follow nationally recognized hyperbaric medical protocols and will collaborate with your physician to develop the optimal treatment regimen for your particular diagnosis.

6. How long does each session last?

Each treatment session typically spans 60-90 minutes AT DEPTH. Total time in the chamber with pure oxygen delivery ends up being 80-118 minutes based on your specific diagnosis and prescribed protocol. Being at depth at that time is a key factor in fully saturating all of the red blood cells and diffusing the oxygen into the tissues.

7. What do I do while in the chamber?

During your treatment, you'll recline comfortably in one of our private chambers. The experience is designed to be relaxing—you can watch a movie, do breath work, listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, meditate, or simply rest. Many patients use this time as an opportunity to unwind while receiving their therapy in a calm, controlled environment; giving you the best opportunity to heal.

8. I am claustrophobic. Will I have problems being in the chamber?

We understand claustrophobia concerns and specialize in helping patients overcome them. You can come out of the chamber at any time for any reason. A special feature of our chambers is that they have an internal stop/pause button that the patient can push at any time to begin ascent. This is to provide extra reassurance, though it is not necessary because we have multiple CHT’s performing and monitoring your treatment. Our expert technicians are specifically trained in anxiety management and will guide you through each session with personalized care. As one patient shared, “I was apprehensive at first, but after seeing the chamber and working with the staff, I feel completely at ease during treatments.

9. Will my health insurance pay for HBOT?

Possibly. We work with most insurance providers and are actively expanding our network. As a special benefit for our patients, our insurance billing specialist will verify your coverage, and ensure proper documentation and approval is secured. His job is to make sure all patients who qualify receive coverage.

Insurance will most likely cover the following:

• Exceptional blood loss anemia

• Acute thermal burn

• Acute traumatic ischemia

• Air/gas embolism

• Bone infection(Osteomyelitis)

• Carbon monoxide poisoning

• Central retinal arterial occlusion

• Compromised grafts/flaps

• Cyanide poisoning

• Decompression sickness

• Delayed radiation injury

• Gas gangrene

• Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

• Necrotizing infections

• Selected problem wounds

10. Why do I need a prescription for HBOT?

For insurance coverage federal law in the United States requires a prescription from a licensed physician (MD, DO, or DDS) for medical oxygen therapy, as the FDA classifies 100% oxygen as a prescription drug. Oxygen prescriptions can only be filled at certified medical facilities that meet strict regulatory requirements. For insurance coverage, all treatments must be performed at a credentialed  facility that follows established safety protocols and clinical guidelines, including those developed by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT).