Hyperbaric Nursing Course

Lesson 1 • Hyperbaric Oxygen Mechanisms of Action

Details how supraphysiologic oxygen levels promote wound healing, antimicrobial effects, and neovascularisation. Grounds nursing care in therapeutic rationale.

Lesson 2 • Gas Laws and Pressure Physics

Covers Boyle's, Dalton's, Henry's, and Charles's laws as applied to hyperbaric settings. These principles underpin every physiological effect nurses must monitor.

Lesson 3 • Physiological Effects of Increased Pressure

Explains how elevated ambient pressure alters gas exchange, tissue oxygenation, and fluid dynamics. Connects physics to patient assessment priorities.

Lesson 1 • Preventive Maintenance and Safety Checks

Outlines daily, weekly, and periodic inspection routines for chamber integrity and gas supply systems. Routine checks prevent equipment failures during treatment.

Lesson 2 • Monoplace Chamber Design and Operation

Describes single-occupancy chamber construction, pressurisation controls, and oxygen delivery systems. Establishes baseline equipment knowledge for solo-patient treatments.

Lesson 3 • Multiplace Chamber Design and Operation

Covers multi-occupancy chamber layout, inside attendant roles, and air-breathing systems. Prepares nurses for team-based chamber environments.

Lesson 1 • Evacuation and Post-Emergency Debriefing

Details safe patient extraction, staff accountability, and structured incident review after emergencies. Debriefing drives continuous safety improvement.

Lesson 2 • Contraindicated Materials and Patient Screening

Lists prohibited personal items, clothing materials, and medical devices that pose fire or pressure risks. Systematic screening prevents hazardous items from entering the chamber.

Lesson 3 • Fire Triangle in Oxygen-Enriched Environments

Explains how elevated oxygen concentration dramatically lowers ignition thresholds and accelerates combustion. Nurses apply this knowledge to strict material screening.

Lesson 1 • Informed Consent and Patient Education

Guides nurses through consent verification and patient teaching on sensations, risks, and self-care. Educated patients report symptoms earlier and tolerate treatment better.

Lesson 2 • Absolute and Relative Contraindications

Distinguishes conditions that prohibit treatment from those requiring modified protocols. Nurses communicate contraindication findings to the prescribing physician promptly.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Treatment Nursing Assessment

Structures the head-to-toe assessment, vital signs, and focused history required before each session. Findings guide individualised treatment modifications.

Lesson 1 • Treatment Documentation and Handoff

Establishes real-time charting standards, treatment log completion, and structured handoff communication. Accurate records ensure continuity and regulatory compliance.

Lesson 2 • Intravenous Therapy During Treatment

Addresses pressure-related volume changes in IV bags, pump calibration, and line management inside the chamber. Safe IV management prevents medication dosing errors under pressure.

Lesson 3 • Oxygen Delivery and Air Break Management

Covers mask fitting, hood application, and scheduled air breaks to reduce oxygen toxicity risk. Nurses verify delivery integrity throughout each session.

Lesson 4 • Standard Treatment Tables

Introduces Navy and clinical treatment tables used for decompression illness and wound care indications. Nurses interpret table parameters to set chamber controls accurately.

Lesson 1 • Vital Sign Monitoring Under Pressure

Identifies normal physiological shifts at pressure and distinguishes them from pathological changes. Accurate interpretation prevents unnecessary treatment interruptions.

Lesson 2 • Ear and Sinus Barotrauma Management

Covers grading scales for middle ear barotrauma and nursing interventions to relieve pressure-related pain. Early intervention prevents treatment discontinuation and injury.

Lesson 3 • Psychological Support During Sessions

Addresses claustrophobia, anxiety escalation, and therapeutic communication strategies during confinement. Nurse-patient rapport sustains treatment adherence across multiple sessions.

Lesson 1 • Transcutaneous Oxygen Measurement

Explains transcutaneous oxygen monitoring as a predictor of hyperbaric treatment response. Nurses perform and interpret measurements to support physician decision-making.

Lesson 2 • Dressing Selection and Pre-Treatment Preparation

Identifies dressing types compatible with hyperbaric pressure and oxygen exposure. Proper preparation prevents dressing failure and wound contamination during sessions.

Lesson 3 • Wound Assessment for Hyperbaric Candidates

Applies validated wound assessment tools to document tissue perfusion, infection, and healing trajectory. Baseline data guides treatment frequency and duration decisions.

Lesson 1 • Research Literacy and Evidence-Based Practice

Builds skills to critically appraise hyperbaric research and translate findings into practice changes. Evidence-based updates keep nursing care aligned with evolving clinical science.

Lesson 2 • Paediatric and Geriatric Hyperbaric Considerations

Highlights anatomical, physiological, and psychosocial differences affecting treatment delivery in age-specific populations. Modified protocols ensure safe, effective care across the lifespan.

Lesson 3 • Quality Improvement and Accreditation Readiness

Guides nurses through quality improvement cycles, policy review, and preparation for accreditation surveys. Continuous improvement sustains programme credibility and patient safety.

Lesson 4 • Managing Critically Ill Patients in the Chamber

Addresses ventilator-dependent, haemodynamically unstable, and post-surgical patients requiring hyperbaric therapy. Nurses anticipate complications and coordinate with intensive care teams.