How Our HBOT Services Work
We are the only HBOT retailer that maintains 2 physicians on staff. We do this in order to provide the most accurate recommendations not only for chamber selection, but also how to use the chamber for best results once it arrives!
Our showroom and local clinic is located in Des Moines Iowa. We help treat individuals locally or provide sessions for those looking to “try before they buy”.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy HBOT?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing 96-100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows more oxygen to dissolve in the blood and reach tissues throughout the body, promoting healing and recovery.
HBOT is used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic wounds, infections, brain injuries, Lyme disease, and more. It enhances the body's natural healing processes by delivering higher levels of oxygen to tissues that are damaged or at risk, which can accelerate recovery and improve overall health outcomes.
How Our Hyperbaric Chambers Work
We offer both hard sided and soft sided HBOT chamber for our retail clients. In principle these two chambers are very similar (think traveling via airplane vs via car). One gets results much faster (hard sided chambers) and the other gets results at a slower pace (soft sided chamber). Certain conditions respond differently to different pressures, which is why we maintain a team of physicians to help you determine which chamber would be right for you!
How To Operate A Hyperbaric Chamber
Soft Sided HBOT Operation
Once you receive your chamber and get it all set up via the instructions that come with it, you are ready for your first dive. Dr. Walker (Our Lead Clinician) recommends bringing the chamber up to full pressure empty to check for defects prior to entry. He has never seen a defect, but it’s good practice to check!
For the first inflation, make sure your pump is connected firmly to the chamber via the pressure hose (the thicker hose). Inspect the zippers and make sure they are all tightly sealed in the closed position. Check your valves to make sure they are in the closed position, and then engage the pump. The chamber will begin to inflate over the next 7-9 minutes depending on style and manufacturer. Once you begin to hear a hissing noise, you know the chamber is now at full pressure.
For depressurization, begin to slowly open the valve and let the air escape. You can go as fast or as slow as you want to, but do not touch the zippers until the valve has stopped letting air out and the chamber is back to neutral pressure. You can then unzip the chamber and turn off the pumps.
Repeat the process for your first dive. It works best if someone from the outside can zip you in, but if that isn’t an option, you can zip yourself into the chamber!
Every model of HBOT chambers are different, but our team has experience with all varieties we sell. We can walk you through the specific chamber you purchase if needed!
Hard Sided HBOT Operation
Once your chamber is received and unboxed, you can begin your installation via the instructions provided. Once the wires have been plugged in and the hoses connected, you can begin to run through your pressurization procedures.
For you first pressurization, I recommend operating the unit empty for the first dive. Make sure the door is in the closed position prior to engaging the pumps. Make sure the valves are in the closed position. Coming up to 2.0ATMs of pressure can take up to 20 minutes. Once the chamber begins to hiss, you know you have reached max pressure.
For Depressurization, begin to slowly open the valve and let the air escape. You can go as fast or as slow as you want to, but do not touch the door until the valve has stopped hissing. During depressurization, you can turn off your pumps. Once you have turned off your pumps and the chamber is fully depressurized, you can open the door.
Repeat the same process for your first dive. Dr. Walker strongly recommends that you have an attendant outside the unit throughout your dive, especially if you have no medical training.
Every model of HBOT chambers are different, but we have experience with OxyRevo’s Quest 36 and can walk you though troubleshooting.
What To Expect Inside The Chamber
Going for your first dive can be rather daunting, so we will break down what to expect here.
Your first dive will be your most difficult dive. Your ears will not know what is happening, your mind is still wrapping your head around the idea and you simply don’t know what to expect. I recommended taking in a pillow and a good book on your first dive. You will most likely begin to sleep on subsequent dives, but on your first dive, you will be awake. Once you climb in, it is good practice to check your valves to make sure they are in the closed position. Dr. Walker recommends having someone zip you in on your first dive if possible for your comfort. Have the attendant zip you into the chamber and turn on the pumps.
For a soft sided chamber, it will take around 2 minutes for the chamber to inflate up off of you and hold its shape. That is when you will begin to feel pressure on your ears. In a hard sided chamber, you will begin to feel the pressure as soon as the door closes and the pumps kick on. Over the next 7-20 minutes your ears will begin to pop similar to flying on an airplane (7 minutes in a soft chamber, 20 minutes in a hard chamber). Once you get all the way up to pressure, your ears will equalize and you will just feel as if you are laying in a twin sized bed. At the end of the session, you will slowly begin to open the valve. You can turn the pump off or leave it on, it is up to you. Once the valve stops hissing, and your pressure gauge reads zero, you can begin to unzip the zipper or open the door.
Benefits of using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The benefits of using HBOT are many. The baseline of all the possible benefits start with decreasing inflammation and healing old or new wounds.
When deciding if HBOT is right for you, look at whatever condition you are looking to treat and investigate the disease processes. Does it have a wound or inflammation associated? Then yes, hyperbaric oxygen can be beneficial. Some examples of this critical thinking process are as follows:
Lyme Disease: Brought on by a tick bite (wound) and causes chronic body wide joint inflammation (inflammation)
Concussion: Blow to the head (Wound) and causes brain inflammation (inflammation)
Crohn’s Disease: Skip lesions in the large bowel (wound) that leads to inflammation of the colon (inflammation)
Diabetic Neuropathy: Uncontrolled sugar in the blood leading to rotting of the nerve (wound & inflammation)
These are just a few examples of possible conditions hyperbaric oxygen can help with. We encourage you to examine your life and determine if you condition can be helped with HBOT. If you dont know the eitiology of your condition, contact our office to speak with one of our doctors to determine if hyperbarics can be right for you!
