Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): General information and discussion of Home Units

[Z...]

she just replied:
The gauge displays relative pressure (relative to the atmospheric pressure: 1 ata/100kpa), which in your case is about 0.5ata/50kpa. It means the absolute pressure is equal to the relative pressure (0.5 ata/50kpa) plus the atmospheric pressure (1 ata/100kpa) ,which is equal to 1.5ata/150kpa.

 

[aimarok]

I received the chamber - supposedly 1.5 ATA, however pressure gauges goes to maximum 100 kPA so I am not sure if this is right. I contacted to sales agent and we will se what she replies.
If I understood correctly, you just switch everything on and go into the chamber and then it will stop pumping the pressure once it reaches 1.5 ATA on the gauge?
Am I missing something here or they sent me the wrong pressure gauges? The chamber is marked with 1.5ATA - instruction manual has picture with pressure gauges even smaller- max 60 kPa so perhaps they made a mistake.

Keep in mind that normal atmospheric pressure is 1 ATM already so 60 kPa gauge is more than enough to measure 0.5 ATM difference.

Edit: Oops, you have already posted an explanation.

 

[seek10]

If I understood correctly, you just switch everything on and go into the chamber and then it will stop pumping the pressure once it reaches 1.5 ATA on the gauge?
Am I missing something here or they sent me the wrong pressure gauges? The chamber is marked with 1.5ATA - instruction manual has picture with pressure gauges even smaller- max 60 kPa so perhaps they made a mistake.

In case of zoy-Tek unit we received , it can be used as 1.3 or 1.5 ATA. But the pressure release valves that are fixed to the chamber are for 1.5 ATA. They gave loose valves for 1.3 ATA . 1.5 ATA valves has to be replaced with 1.3 ATA valves, if we decide to go for 1.3 ATA. Some thing to check why it is only showing 60 KPa ( if it is not relative pressure)

• Are there any leakage ? - Make sure that zip goes to always to the end. If you are alone, it could be tricky to push it to the end at the beginning. But you get hold of it soon.
• there is a air release knob that is supposed to be used at the end of session. In our unit, it has clockwise arrow and anti clockwise arrow in chinese text. Make sure that is closed and not leaking.
• Make sure to tubes are tightly locked in place. put your hand at the pipe connections and see there is no leakage.
• Once unit is set and test it that it going to right pressure, you don't need to touch again.

I too typed before seeing your reply. I will post it any way and may be helpful for others in future.

 

[Z...]

Yeah that was a blonde moment on my part, but physics was never my favorite subject.

So am i correct in thinking that its the pressure gauge that regulates the operation? The compressor works all the time but the pressure gauge will not allow the chamber to inflate beyond 1.5ATA ?
So basically the compressor keeps pumping but the chamber doesn't let the more air in, and then you switch it off once you finish?
One more question - do you need to let out air slowly over at least 10 minutes in order to avoid sudden decompression or this is not necessary?

 

[hiker]

So am i correct in thinking that its the pressure gauge that regulates the operation? The compressor works all the time but the pressure gauge will not allow the chamber to inflate beyond 1.5ATA ?
So basically the compressor keeps pumping but the chamber doesn't let the more air in, and then you switch it off once you finish?
One more question - do you need to let out air slowly over at least 10 minutes in order to avoid sudden decompression or this is not necessary?

There are 2 automatic pressure relief valves at the opposite end from where the air and oxygen flow in to the chamber (Macy-Pan), which are set to 1.5 ATA. When the pressure inside the chamber reaches 1.5 ATA, they then automatically keep the pressure at that level.

I made the mistake of relieving the pressure too quickly, when using the chamber for the first time. My ears were not happy about it!
Since then I have released it more slowly, taking 6-7 minutes minimum.

Added: there are several videos on youtube about Macy-Pan cambers, and in this one, they advise to take more than 5 minutes (it is a 1.3 ATA chamber, so 1.5 ATA should probably require a little more time) to release the pressure (6:00 onwards):

 

[Vinícius]

Yeah that was a blonde moment on my part, but physics was never my favorite subject.

So am i correct in thinking that its the pressure gauge that regulates the operation? The compressor works all the time but the pressure gauge will not allow the chamber to inflate beyond 1.5ATA ?
So basically the compressor keeps pumping but the chamber doesn't let the more air in, and then you switch it off once you finish?
One more question - do you need to let out air slowly over at least 10 minutes in order to avoid sudden decompression or this is not necessary?

no, the typical gauge only measures pressure diferential between atmosphere and the chamber, like @hiker said it are valves doing the regulation

i'd be wary of coming up/down too fast might create ear/vision issues

on the clinic I'm doing the treatment it's 13-15min to 2ata but I've seen they going faster a few times

big chamber though not sure that changes anything


tomorrow at 11am will be my 23th session

 

[Vinícius]

actually, looking at their dive logs again they like going pretty fast

 

[anartist]

Yeah that was a blonde moment on my part, but physics was never my favorite subject.

So am i correct in thinking that its the pressure gauge that regulates the operation? The compressor works all the time but the pressure gauge will not allow the chamber to inflate beyond 1.5ATA ?
So basically the compressor keeps pumping but the chamber doesn't let the more air in, and then you switch it off once you finish?
One more question - do you need to let out air slowly over at least 10 minutes in order to avoid sudden decompression or this is not necessary?

The pressure gauges just let you know what the pressure is in the chamber. I don't know about your chamber, but the macy-pan chamber I'm using has two pressure valves at the far end of the chamber from the air intake. When the pressure in the chamber reaches 1.5 ATA, the pressure valves begin to open and allow air to escape, keeping the pressure in the chamber at a constant 1.5 ATA.
So there is a constant flow of air being pumped into the chamber from the compressor, and a flow of air out of the chamber to keep the pressure in the chamber at 1.5 ATA.

 

[88LS]

The pressure gauges just let you know what the pressure is in the chamber. I don't know about your chamber, but the macy-pan chamber I'm using has two pressure valves at the far end of the chamber from the air intake. When the pressure in the chamber reaches 1.5 ATA, the pressure valves begin to open and allow air to escape, keeping the pressure in the chamber at a constant 1.5 ATA.
So there is a constant flow of air being pumped into the chamber from the compressor, and a flow of air out of the chamber to keep the pressure in the chamber at 1.5 ATA.

Yep, most of these soft chambers work the same way.

 

[Z...]

The pressure gauges just let you know what the pressure is in the chamber. I don't know about your chamber, but the macy-pan chamber I'm using has two pressure valves at the far end of the chamber from the air intake. When the pressure in the chamber reaches 1.5 ATA, the pressure valves begin to open and allow air to escape, keeping the pressure in the chamber at a constant 1.5 ATA.
So there is a constant flow of air being pumped into the chamber from the compressor, and a flow of air out of the chamber to keep the pressure in the chamber at 1.5 ATA.

Yes its like that. There is also emergency release valve midway on the chamber.
Just tested it and its working fine.
Pressure steady and slightly above 50kPs However I noticed another problem:
Once i release the pressure nothing happens- the pressure doesn’t drop at all. Even if opened to maximum- I waited 10 minutes then got bored and switched off air compressor and pressure finally went down to 0. But it took really long time. Probably more than 20 minutes.
I am supposed to go in to finish internal installation (metal skeleton rings, silencer, mask outlet etc)
But I am surely not going in until I am sure i can decompress in reasonable time.
I just emailed the rep.

I also had a thought - what happens if the zippers gets stuck and you cannot get out? When you live alone you have to think even of the most unlikely scenario. I will make sure to go in with the mobile phone (friend has the key to my house) and also always leave a swiss army knife in the chamber. I know it sounds silly but gives me extra sense of security. I am not at all claustrophobic but thought of being trapped terrifies me.

 

[RedFox]

Once i release the pressure nothing happens- the pressure doesn’t drop at all. Even if opened to maximum- I waited 10 minutes then got bored and switched off air compressor and pressure finally went down to 0. But it took really long time. Probably more than 20 minutes.

The compressor needs to be off to be able to deflate the chamber properly. Hence the timer on the compressor.
Did you open the release valve fully?
My ZoyTech takes about 5-10 minutes to deflate - depending on how far open I turn the valve.
I'll set it to 1/4 - 1/2 turn open so as not to deflate so quickly its painful on the ears.

 

[Z...]

The compressor needs to be off to be able to deflate the chamber properly. Hence the timer on the compressor.
Did you open the release valve fully?
My ZoyTech takes about 5-10 minutes to deflate - depending on how far open I turn the valve.
I'll set it to 1/4 - 1/2 turn open so as not to deflate so quickly its painful on the ears.

I don’t have the timer on the compressor just on the oxygen concentrator. When you are in you have to deflate to zero in order to get out and switch off the compressor.
In any case - i identified the problem - i found a piece of bubble wrap around the pressure valve on the inside of the chamber - another moment.

Since the chamber arrived I am so anxious to get it going. But this needs to be done slowly not between the work and household chores.
Everything worked fine and I ventured inside to install the inner frame. This was daunting. Ended up completely drenched in sweat. I am done for today.

 

[hiker]

Everything worked fine and I ventured inside to install the inner frame. This was daunting. Ended up completely drenched in sweat. I am done for today.

I too went inside the chamber to assemble the inner frame, ended up in sweat, voicing a few curse words, only to find out that I did it the wrong way around. Riley from Macy-Pan sent me a link to a video afterwards (of the previous model ST701), where it is shown that it's better to assemble the frame to completion outside, and only then put it inside the chamber.

 

[Z...]

I too went inside the chamber to assemble the inner frame ended up in sweat, voicing a few curse words, only to find out that I did it the wrong way around. Riley from Macy-Pan sent me a link to a video afterwards (of the previous model ST701), where it is shown that it's better to assemble the frame to completion outside, and only then put it inside the chamber.

Lol - i was cursing like a sailor too. I did assemble the frame from the inside (as per instructions in pdf) but it was terrible. I also ended up completely drenched in fact i was soaked. I double checked if I connected air dryer properly and its seems ok. Will see if it happens again.

 

[Z...]

Yesterday i did my first dive - stayed 20+5+20+5+10 min.
I have to say that i didnt expect to feel so good after only one session - been in such a good mood all day. And i just have this difficult to describe felling of goodness in my body for the lack of better words to explain it.
However in the morning i did wake up with some achines and wierd feeling. I loaded on vit C ALA and NAC - and was okay.

There was some condensation in the chamber although i have the air cooler/dryer attached but it wasnt unbearable. Not sure how it will be in the summer heat.
Do you guys sweat and have condensation in the chamber?
When i did the dive at HBOT spa it was nice and cool in chamber but i think it could be becuse they use nasal canula for oxygen. This was very comfortable. I used nonrebreather mask last night for the first time and this gave me some anxiety which may have caused the sweating but i got used to it and relaxed towards the end.