| A decompression chamber is a pressure vessel used to place a diver back under pressure in a safe environment out of
water. Chambers vary in size, holding from one diver to a dozen or more, for hyperbaric
treatments. A decompression chamber (sometimes called recompression or hyperbaric oxygen therapy
chamber) is needed on site whenever a diver has incurred a decompression penalty and has to stop on the way to the surface to expel excess
nitrogen. These pictures were taken at Dr. Schmutz Hyperbaric Clinic in Basel, one of the few centres in Switzerland to offer hyperbaric
treatments. Luckily it is not often ‘occupied’ by patients, so many recreational divers can ‘enjoy’ the thrills of a simulated deep dive
(e.g. 57 meters below the surface), gaining experience and improving techniques in preventing decompression
sickness. The decompression chamber in Basel can take up to 10 seated divers or 3
resting. But it’s not recommended for people suffering from
claustrophobia! Once the chamber is pressurised, the sealed doors can’t be opened again until all safety checks have been
completed, a procedure taking up to one hour. |
