Hyperbaric chamber

What to expect and how to best prepare for the hyperbaric chamber?

The multiplace hyperbaric chamber at Wesley Hyperbaric is the only accredited private day hospital in Brisbane, Queensland for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Discover the hyperbaric chamber

I have a referral and am eligible. What’s next?

As you read this, you would have had your initial assessment with one of our hyperbaric doctors here at Wesley Hyperbaric. They have assessed you and, they believe you will benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. So, what is next?

HBOT journey: Welcome to your first session

After you have signed the consent papers, our receptionist will give you 100% cotton clothing with no pockets, and guide you to our changing room. You will get a personal locker for any possessions you have brought with you. Your general health will be reviewed once again on the day, and we will check that you don’t have any haircare or hygiene products on your skin or body. If you do have any banned products, you will be asked to clean them off before entering the hyperbaric chamber.

Which products are banned in the hyperbaric chamber?

Here’s a list of banned products in the hyperbaric chamber:

Metal products (except internal metal like pacemakers, joint replacements, etc. which are ok),
Mobile phones,
Any electronic or medical devices,
Alcohol based grooming products,
Hairspray, makeup, perfume and aftershave,
Hair extensions, false nails and nail polish, false eyelashes
Hearing aids,
All jewellery and other personal items,
Flammable substances such as tobacco products, matches, cigarette lighters etc.

Can I bathe before my session?

On the day of your treatments, make sure you bathe or have a shower. But do not apply any powders, creams or moisturisers.

What paperwork should I bring on the first day?

Here’s what our admin staff will ask for on your first day:

Personal details, next of kin, emergency contact details
Private health insurance membership number
Medicare card and/or DVA card
- Doctor’s letters, reports, correspondence (if applicable) and all relevant x-rays and scans
An up-to-date list of ALL your current medications
- Certified copy of your Advanced Health Directive (if applicable)
Credit/debit card, cash or cheque

What happens if I run late for my session in the pressurised chamber?

If you are running late, please contact our admin team to let us know.

We usually run 2-3 sessions a day, and if we can accommodate you in the next one, we will, but we can not guarantee a space.

What is your clinic hours?

Wesley Hyperbaric is open from Monday to Friday, 7AM – 4PM.

You will be allocated a reclining seat and an oxygen delivery set to use in the chamber.

We will then ask you to move from the waiting area to your seat and perform our final checks before closing the chamber door. Once the nurse gives her final OK we will start pressurising the chamber.

Your first session in the hyperbaric chamber

HBOT treatment is generally painless, however, there are a few things that you will notice once the pressurising starts.

You will hear a hissing noise,
You will feel a slight temperature increase in the chamber,
You will also feel a fullness in your ears, similar to flying in an airplane or when you are diving. You will need to equalise your ears frequently until we are at treatment pressure.

Once the treatment pressure is reached, your nurse will apply your breathing device and turn on your oxygen.

You will notice that the chamber cools down during treatment,
Your ears may pop as they adjust to the pressure in the chamber.

You are welcome to read a book or magazine during this time. At the end of the treatment, you will notice a bubbling sensation in your ears and this is perfectly normal. As the gas in your inner ear space expands due to the pressure reduction, it will bubble out through your eustachian tube.

As the temperature in the hyperbaric chamber may drop a few degrees, you may ask for a jacket or blanket, which are available for anyone who feels cold.

Once the chamber has dropped back to atmospheric pressure, the chamber door will open and you will be free to leave, get changed and return to your normal day.

What techniques are available to equalise my ears?

Before your treatment begins you will be taught different ways to pop your ears. There are a few different techniques that can be helpful and our staff will help you learn what works best for you.

The Valsalva maneuver:
Gently pinch your nose closed and close your mouth. Shortly and gently, attempt to blow through your nose while holding it shut. This gentle maneuver should allow ear pressure to be released

Other Methods:
Try yawning, swallowing, or drinking small sips of water.
Lift your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallow

You may have to repeat these methods several times during the pressurisation of the chamber. If you have difficulty with your ears, please tell the chamber operator immediately. Pressure sensation in the ear is to be expected, but it shouldn’t hurt.

Do you have medical staff onsite during my treatment?

Yes. There is always a hyperbaric trained doctor onsite during treatments. Our doctor will formally check your progress every 10 treatments, or more frequently if required. Registered nurses work in both our wound clinic and hyperbaric chamber and have undergone further specialist training in hyperbaric medicine and wound care.

Monoplace vs multiplace hyperbaric chamber

At Wesley Hyperbaric, the largest private day hospital for HBOT in Queensland, we use a multiplace chamber. It fits 6 to 8 people at the same time. Your nurse will allocate a seat and people tell us that it feels as if boarding an airplane. You may have heard about monoplace chambers. This is a chamber built for 1 person. It’s a long, plastic tube that looks like an MRI machine. We don’t use these at Wesley Hyperbaric. We do have a smaller hyperbaric chamber that can can seat 2 patients plus the inside nurse.

Duration of a hyperbaric session

Most routine hyperbaric oxygen treatments will typically take around 2 hours. Initially the chamber is pressurised with compressed air and this will take between 5-10 minutes. You will need to pop your ears during this initial phase regularly. If you are unable to pop your ears then your treatment might have to be aborted for the day and the doctor will need to check your ears before you leave. You can bring in your reading glasses if required and we encourage you to bring in a good book or magazine to read while you are having your treatment. Towards the end of the treatment, it will get a little cool and the nurse will provide a blanket and jumper if required to keep you comfortable.

How many HBOT-treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you will need will be discussed with you during your initial assessment with the doctor. For patients requiring treatment for sudden hearing loss, you will need between 10-15 treatments but the majority of other patients will need between 30-40 treatments. Some patients requiring up to 60 sessions, depending on response to the treatment. You will need to come every day Monday – Friday.

Are there any risks/side effects of the treatment?

Side effects after HBOT treatment are unlikely. With 40+ treatment sessions, there is a chance of a change in your distance vision. This is temporary, but we monitor your vision regularly so if you do experience any visual changes, it is not a surprise and can be managed until it returns to normal.

Possible symptoms or side effects after HBOT can include fatigue and lightheadedness.

Your journey starts with these 3 steps

Step 1

Once you have your referral from your GP or specialist, contact our Brisbane clinic to book a consultation with one of our doctors.

Step 2

If you are eligible for HBOT, your treatment plan is scheduled and your HBOT journey can start.

Step 3

When you have completed your hyperbaric sessions, your condition is reassessed by one of our doctors.