About us
The Hyperbaric Facility is one of only 9 ‘Cox’ Category One facilities on the UK mainland.
We can deal with any Hyperbaric emergency, including patients requiring full intensive support. We are also capable of treating multiple patients simultaneously.
The team consists of consultants who have experience in anaesthesia, intensive care and Hyperbaric medicine. They are supported by ICU nurses and a strong technical support team who provide expert care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The facility has a helicopter landing site adjacent to the Hyperbaric Facility allowing immediate access to the recompression chambers for patients arriving via helicopter.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressures in an enclosed chamber. This process causes oxygen to be absorbed by all body fluids and by all body cells and tissues, even those with blocked or reduced blood flow. This increased flow of oxygen may help to restore function to damaged cells and organs. Whilst in the chamber the patient breathes 100% oxygen delivered via a mask or an air hood.
Several disease states have been shown to respond to either primary or adjunct HBO therapy including intravascular gas or bubble-mediated diseases, carbon monoxide poisoning, acute and chronic infections and ischaemic processes. The European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (EHCM) has advocated hyperbaric oxygen as first line treatment of the following :
-Air or gas embolism
-Decompression illness
-Gas gangrene
-Necrotising fasciitis
-Post-radiotherapy tissue damage
-Preparation for surgery in previously irradiated tissue
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society
In addition, the USA Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society (UHMS) supports the use of hyperbaric oxygen for the following :
-Crush injury
-Severe blood loss anaemia
-Selected problem wounds
-Compromised skin flap and grafts
-Refractory osteomyelitis
-Osteoradionecrosis Thermal burns
We have two recompression chambers, both have very different roles.
The diving research chamber is a fully equipped saturation chamber with full mixed gas facility and a 34.4 bar (1000′ of seawater) capability. It is one of the deepest diving chambers in the country for research.
This chamber allows our team to conduct research and trials relating to diving and treatment tables. We are also able to to test equipment to ensure it is capable of with standing a pressurised environment.
Our second chamber is a medical chamber which features a walk-in door and can hold up to 8 seated patients or 2 hospital theatre trolleys.
There are intensive care facilities within both hyperbaric chambers, including high-tech patient monitoring and ventilatory support for management of the critically ill. In addition to the equipment within the chambers, we have the ability, if necessary, to defibrillate a patient whilst the chamber is pressurised.
North West Diving Medical Services
Looking for Diver Medical Services? Look no further!
We are proud to be the home of North West Medical Services!
Contact them today via the link below to schedule your Recreational Diving Medical Assessment. Dive confidently with their knowledgeable team, led by Dr. Chris Wood, a Hyperbaric Medicine Specialist and General Practitioner with a passion for SCUBA diving and the underwater world.
Our Maritime Training Courses
At the Emergency Services Training Centre we also provide Diver Medical Courses.
Diver Medical Technician – Full
10 day IMCA accredited course with 72 contact hours in class with practical based scenarios. The certificate is valid for 2 years after which time a DMT (Refresher) course is required.
Diver Medical Technician – Refresher
5 day IMCA accredited course with 35 contact hours in class with practical based scenarios. The DMT certificate is valid for 2 years.
Oxygen Administration
The Oxygen Administration Course for Sports and Commercial Divers is a half-day course including a Theory and Practical examination. Successful delegates will receive a certificate which is valid for 3 years.