A decompression chamber is a specialized, sealed vessel that controls atmospheric pressure around a person. It provides a controlled environment for individuals, primarily divers, to safely adjust to significant pressure changes. This technology prevents and treats medical conditions from rapid transitions between high and low-pressure environments, such as those underwater or at high altitudes.
Understanding Pressure and the Body
The human body is significantly affected by changes in atmospheric pressure, particularly concerning gases dissolved within its tissues and blood. As a diver descends, increasing external pressure causes more gas, especially nitrogen, to dissolve into the body’s fluids. Henry’s Law explains this: the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid. The longer a diver stays at depth, the more nitrogen accumulates.
Upon rapid ascent, surrounding pressure decreases quickly, and dissolved nitrogen can form bubbles within tissues and the bloodstream. This is similar to opening a carbonated beverage, where dissolved gas rapidly escapes as bubbles when pressure is released. These bubbles can block blood vessels and disrupt bodily functions, leading to decompression sickness. Boyle’s Law also applies, illustrating that as pressure decreases, the volume of a gas increases, meaning any gas bubbles present will expand during ascent.
Key Uses of Decompression Chambers
Decompression chambers primarily treat decompression sickness (DCS), often called “the bends.” When a diver experiences DCS, the chamber is pressurized to mimic an underwater environment, re-dissolving nitrogen bubbles into the body’s fluids. Pressure is then gradually reduced over several hours, allowing nitrogen to safely exit the body through respiration without forming new bubbles. Patients often breathe 100% oxygen during this process, accelerating nitrogen removal and promoting tissue healing.
Beyond diving conditions, decompression chambers are also used for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This involves delivering pure oxygen at pressures higher than normal atmospheric pressure to enhance healing. HBOT is approved for conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, where it helps remove carbon monoxide from the blood and improves oxygen delivery. It is also used for severe infections, non-healing wounds, crush injuries, and radiation therapy damage, as increased oxygen levels fight bacteria, reduce swelling, and stimulate tissue repair.
Inside a Decompression Chamber
Patients enter a sealed decompression chamber, either sitting or lying down. Chambers vary in size, from monoplace units for a single person to multiplace chambers accommodating several patients and medical attendants. Once sealed, internal pressure gradually increases, simulating a return to depth; patients may need to equalize ear pressure, similar to an airplane descent. The chamber environment is continuously monitored for pressure, oxygen levels, and carbon dioxide.
During a typical session, which can last several hours, patients breathe pure oxygen through a mask or hood, with breaks to breathe regular air to prevent oxygen toxicity. Communication with outside operators is maintained via an intercom. The operator controls the rate of pressure change, ensuring a slow and safe decompression profile. The chamber’s controlled environment allows for precise pressure management, providing a safer alternative to in-water decompression for divers and effective treatment for various medical conditions.