Hyperbaric Chamber Operator
For just US$990 this 4 to 6 day course includes all materials, ANDI Hyperbaric Chamber Operator certification, Distinctive Field Neurological Exam course and Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty Instructor course.
What is a Hyperbaric Chamber Operator?
A Hyperbaric Chamber Operator (HCO) is an individual who has the knowledge and technical training required to operate a hyperbaric chamber in a clinical environment in order to treat decompression sickness and other ailments within patients.
In order to be a successful HCO you must have a thorough understanding of the physics of gas and liquids within a pressurized environment, the physiology and pathophysiology of diving/pressure, as well as the effects of pressurized air and oxygen. These concepts and more are all covered both in independent study as well as in the classroom led by your instructor.
Also important for being successful as an HCO is the ability to work within a team. Here at Utila’s Hyperbaric Chamber (UHC) we always utilize a team of four, the Primary Operator, the Supervising Operator, the Med-Tech, and the Tender. You will develop the skills needed to communicate and work alongside these team members through a hands on approach to practical application.
WHO WILL YOU WORK WITH?
Pete Gilbert, the primary instructor at UHC is passionate about all things diving, educational, or medicinal. Pete is also a PADI Instructor, a Diveheart Instructor Trainer, and the General Manager of The College of Diving and Utila Hyperbaric Chamber. Pete fell in love with teaching by tutoring math and physics as a teenager, he has been teaching ever since and that passion has only grown.
Pete has been working with UHC since early 2015 and has acted as both primary and supervising operator on multiple DCI cases with symptoms ranging from mild pain and tingling to full body paralysis. He worked alongside Ed Betts (President of ANDI and member of the IHMF Board of Directors) to develop the HCO program currently in place. Ed and Pete are constantly looking for opportunities to update and improve the program ensuring all information stays relevant and current in a quickly developing industry.
What Will You Work With?
During your training you will spend 3 days with your hands on our Amron 54DDC dual lock, multiplace chamber, building your operational skills, comfort, and confidence. This style chamber is common to environments where the primary use is for barotraumas/emergency treatment. It is operated manually, meaning throughout your course you will develop the skills to adjust flow rates manually with ball valves rather than simply punching data into a digital system. This allows for a much deeper understanding as well as an easier orientation period to other chamber models.
What Does This Certification Allow Me To Do?
After completing your course you will become an ANDI Level 2 HCO. This means that you are able to operate an Amron 54DDC anywhere in the world. Should you wish to operate a different model of chamber you only need to perform a short orientation to that unit (generally completed within a couple of hours). This certification is internationally recognized, does not require a yearly fee, and only requires either proof of operation or completion of an online exam every 2 years to avoid expiring.
Beyond the certification itself, this training is great for Scuba Instructors or Divemasters looking for a more complete understanding of the physics and physiology of diving. While most Instructors will know that dehydration can lead to an increased risk for DCI, few understand why. By going beyond what is is included in the training for Scuba Instruction you will be able to give your students more correct and complete answers. It also gives you a much more complete understanding of why no decompression limits and oxygen exposure safety standards are set as they are. For these reasons, even for dive operations without hyperbaric chambers, an HCO certification holds a lot of weight on a resume!