10 Things You Can’t Take With You in a HBOT Chamber
There are some things that you can’t take with you in a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber. Although, some of them might be considered like an exaggeration (like for example the “close your phone” sign at the gas station) there is reasoning behind their “ban”.
For your safety during hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), leave these 10 items outside:
| EXAMPLES | EXPLANATION | |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Drinks | Pastries, chips, sweets, nuts, fruits etc. | Food and other drinks are not permitted inside the hyperbaric chamber. The pressurized environment is designed for oxygen therapy, and consuming food or beverages could interfere with the treatment. |
| Flammable Materials | Lighters, matches, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, etc. | The increased oxygen concentration in the chamber makes these items highly flammable. Sparks from lighters or matches could cause a fire hazard. |
| Electronic Devices | Laptops, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. | These devices are prohibited due to potential malfunctions caused by pressure changes. Additionally, electromagnetic waves emitted by electronic devices might interfere with the chamber’s equipment. |
| Personal Care Products | Lotions, creams, deodorants, hairspray, makeup, etc. | These products can be flammable or release harmful vapors in a hyperbaric environment. It’s advisable to shower and avoid using such products before treatment. |
| Sharp Objects | Pens, pencils, knives, etc. | These items could puncture the chamber or cause injury during treatment. Safety is paramount, so sharp objects should be left outside the chamber. |
| Metal Objects | Metal jewelry, coins etc. | Metal conducts electricity and poses a fire hazard in the chamber. It’s best to remove all jewelry or leave it at home. |
| Loose Dentures | Unsecured dentures | Loose dentures can become dislodged during treatment, posing a choking hazard. Patients should secure their dentures properly or follow center guidelines. |
| Contact Lenses | Soft contact lenses | Soft contact lenses may absorb the increased pressure in the chamber, causing discomfort or damage. It’s recommended to wear glasses instead. |
| Hearing Aids | Hearing aids | Hearing aids contain batteries or electronic components that could cause sparks. For safety reasons, patients should remove them before entering the chamber. |
| Clothing (Synthetic) | Clothing made from synthetic materials | Synthetic fabrics are not allowed inside the chamber. Patients should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing made from 100% cotton during hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). The provided hospital gown is usually 100% cotton. |
These restrictions safeguard you and guarantee the chamber’s proper function. Remember, increased oxygen heightens fire risk, pressure changes can harm electronics, and certain products can emit harmful vapors.
If you’re curious why these specific things are prohibited, stick with us to know the reasoning behind each.
1. Food and Drinks
While you might think you can snack during your treatment, keep in mind that in most hyperbaric chambers, you’re only allowed to bring in a small bottle of water, with no food or other drinks permitted.
This rule is in place not to inconvenience you, but to maintain the sterile environment within the chamber and to avoid possible complications that could arise from consuming food or drinks other than water.
2. Flammable materials
In addition to food and drinks, you’re also not allowed to bring any flammable materials into the hyperbaric chamber.
This includes items like lighters, matches, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes. Anything that could potentially generate a spark is strictly prohibited.
The reason behind this rule is quite simple: the increased oxygen environment inside the chamber dramatically heightens the risk of fire.
Even a small spark can lead to a significant blaze in such conditions. So, it’s important to leave anything flammable outside the chamber. This is a safety measure that’s as essential as it’s non-negotiable.
3. Electronic devices
Next on the list of prohibited items are electronic devices; you can’t bring your laptops, tablets, smartphones, or e-readers into the chamber.
This restriction isn’t essential – it’s for safety and technical reasons. These devices could malfunction due to the pressure changes inside the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) chamber.
But it’s more than just your device going haywire. Your gadgets emit electromagnetic waves, which could interfere with the chamber’s equipment, hampering its performance.
So, for your safety and the effective operation of the HBOT chamber, it’s better to leave your electronic devices out.
4. Personal care products
While you might think that your favorite lotion, hairspray, or makeup is important, it’s a different story in a HBOT chamber.
These items can be flammable or emit vapors that are harmful in a hyperbaric environment. This can put you and others at risk during your treatment.
That’s why it’s necessary to avoid using these products before your session.
You might want to shower and make sure your skin is free from any lotions, creams, or makeup. As inconvenient as it may seem, it’s important for your safety and the effectiveness of your treatment.
5. Sharp objects
Sharp objects, like pens, pencils, or knives have no place in a HBOT chamber due to the risk of puncturing the chamber or causing injury during treatment. These objects, despite their everyday usage, pose a significant threat to the chamber’s integrity and your safety.
It’s not just about damage to the chamber, but also the potential harm to you. A sudden puncture could cause rapid decompression, affecting your health adversely. Hence, it’s vital for you to leave these items outside before entering the chamber.
6. Metal Objects
Your treasured jewelry, despite its sentimental or monetary value, has no place in a HBOT chamber as it can conduct electricity and pose a serious fire hazard.
The same applies to all other metal objects, including watches, keys, and even coins in your pocket. This is due to the high oxygen environment in the chamber, which can cause such items to spark or catch fire.
Before entering the chamber, make sure to remove all metal objects and leave them outside. If you’re unsure about an item, it’s always better to ask the staff or if you have a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber in your home, just strip everything of you to be sure.
7. Loose dentures
While it might seem harmless, loose dentures can actually pose a significant risk during your HBOT treatment.
Imagine being in a high-pressure environment, deeply relaxed, and suddenly your dentures slip. It’s not just uncomfortable; it’s potentially dangerous.
Loose dentures can become dislodged, creating a choking hazard. This is the last thing you want to worry about when you’re undergoing therapy meant to boost your health.
So, what’s the solution? Simple, remove them before your session. It’s a small step that can make your treatment both safer and more comfortable.
8. Contact lenses
Believe it or not, even your soft contact lenses can pose a problem during HBOT therapy. Due to the increased pressure within the chamber, your lenses can absorb this force, resulting in potential discomfort or damage.
They’re not designed to withstand such conditions. You might experience discomfort, blurred vision, or the lenses could even become misshaped.
9. Hearing Aids
Often, you’ll need to remove your hearing aids before entering a HBOT chamber due to the risk of sparks from their batteries or electronic components.
The high oxygen environment inside the chamber can interact with these components potentially causing a spark.
Since sparks can ignite fires in such concentrated oxygen environments, it’s best to play it safe and leave your hearing aids out.
Additionally, the pressure changes inside the chamber can potentially damage your hearing aids. So, not only is removing your hearing aids a safety protocol, it also helps prolong the life of your device.
10. Clothing Made from Synthetic Materials
Finally, just like hearing aids, clothing made from synthetic materials isn’t permitted in the HBOT chamber. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing made from 100% cotton when undergoing HBOT.
Why?
Synthetic materials can build up static electricity, which might cause sparks and pose a danger in the oxygen-rich environment of the HBOT chamber.
To keep you safe and the treatment effective, many facilities will have you change into a 100% cotton hospital gown before the treatment.
Conclusion
It’s vital to leave these ten items out of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber: food, drinks, flammables, electronics, personal care products, sharp objects, loose dentures, contact lenses, hearing aids, and synthetic clothing.
Remember, safety first! The more you know, the smoother your treatment will go.
So, ditch these items, step into the chamber, and let the healing begin.
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