Soft or Hard Chamber?
O2 Health Lab uses Medical-Grade Hard-Shell Hyperbaric Chambers only!
When Shopping for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, make sure You know the difference between a Hard Chamber and a Soft-Chamber
The Critical Differences between Medical Grade Hard-Shell Hyperbaric Chambers and Soft-Shell Chambers
AT O2 Health Lab, our first concern is “do no harm”. Our next, is to ensure maximum benefit for our patients. Soft, or Portable Hyperbaric chambers do neither.
Selling Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy using a Soft Chamber can be Bait and Switch
We want our patients to be treated safely and properly, with expectations that their treatment is backed up by Medical Science and hundreds of Medical Studies.
Virtually all Medical Studies supporting the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are conducted using Hard-shell Hyperbaric Chambers and DO NOT APPLY to Inflatable Soft Chambers
Soft Chambers DO NOT PROVIDE THE SAME BENEFITS as Medical Grade Hard Chambers
It’s basic math:
Normally, you breathe 21% oxygen at sea level. Using significant pressure, Medical Grade Hard-Shell Hyperbaric chambers help the body circumvent the normal way oxygen is delivered to your body, and thereby increasing the delivery of oxygen to cells by 10, 15 or even 20 times the normal amount (200%). This is what is required to attain the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
In contrast, Soft Chambers only increase oxygen intake to 26%, just 5% more than normal, as they are unable to attain enough pressure to provide substantial benefits. Because inflatable bag chambers cannot achieve necessary pressures for healing (1.5ATA+), their use is not considered Hyperbaric Medicine.
Currently, most practitioners and companies who use, sell or lease Soft Shell Chambers feature research and scientific results that were based on TRUE clinical hyperbaric studies using ‘Hard,’ FDA approved chambers. Some inflatable bag chamber companies have even been sanctioned by the FDA for making “fraudulent medical claims.”
Key Facts on Facilities, Hard Chambers vs Soft Chambers
Soft Chambers are not a recognized Medical Device
You will never find an inflatable bag chamber in a hospital or reputable medical facility because they are NOT recognized as a medical device for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment.
Soft Chambers are only approved to treat Altitude Sickness
Inflatable bag chambers are manufactured and recognized by the FDA as devices ONLY for the specific treatment of Altitude sickness (Mountain Sickness). They are not approved for any FDA Approved conditions such as Non-Healing wounds, Radiation damage, bone healing, and others. Inflatable chambers are NOT scientifically able to achieve the pressure required to treat these conditions.
It is Illegal to use Pure Oxygen in Soft Chambers
The connection or use of pure oxygen to a soft chamber is illegal, considered tampering and is deemed unlawful for any use according to the FDA. The use of any medical oxygen for breathing requires a prescription from a registered physician– MD or DO.
Soft Chambers can expose patients to Toxic Inhalation
Will you put yourself or your family at risk, both medically and legally, just to save a little money? Inflatable bag chambers are made with rubber, plastic and petroleum products which off-gas in oxygen environments and expose those inside of them to toxicity by inhalation.
Inadequate pressure allows possible exposure to Bacterial Infection
Scientific studies show that oxygen becomes bacteriostatic (stops bacteria from reproducing) at 1.5ATA (16fsw). As Inflatable chambers cannot achieve internal pressures over 1.3 ATA, it cannot kill bacteria but will enhance the growth of certain molds, fungus and aerobic bacteria.
Inadequate pressure allows possible exposure to Bacterial Infection
Scientific studies show that oxygen becomes bacteriostatic (stops bacteria from reproducing) at 1.5ATA (16fsw). As Inflatable chambers cannot achieve internal pressures over 1.3 ATA, it cannot kill bacteria but will enhance the growth of certain molds, fungus and aerobic bacteria.
Look for Trained, Certified Hyperbaric Medical Technicians
Reputable Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy facilities have Nationally Certified Hyperbaric Technicians, who have been educated, tested and who have done an extensive supervised internship in the clinical setting of an accepted medical grade hyperbaric program to be certified by a third-party organization. Each technician must also be an EMT, an RN, a physician or a military medic. No such certification or standards apply to soft chambers or those that operate them.
Are the Technicians Trained for an Emergency if you or your loved one has a medical emergency in the device?
Inflatable Bag chambers are not certified as PVHO-1 (Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy) devices by the ASME. This means they do not have the qualifications necessary to meet National quality and safety. American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy, 2002. www.asme.or
Does the Facility Follow Fire Codes?
Many inflatable chamber facilities do not follow Fire Codes, likely because the guidelines endorse and specifically relate to ‘Hard’ shelled, medical-grade hyperbaric chambers. Since 1968, these guidelines have helped keep Hyperbaric Treatments safe and effective. All medical grade Hyperbaric chambers must be properly grounded and retrofitted for earthquake safety, soft chambers are not. It is also illegal to have carpet in a hyperbaric facility treatment area.
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