Between the 10^th and 12^th August, many of the the most influential names in the world of Hyperbaric Medicine gathered at the eighth IHMA HBOT 2012  conference in Long Beach, California. Distinguished speakers , including Prof. Paul G Harch MD, Prof. Philip James MD, Kenneth Stoller MD,and  James Wright MD, who all gave presentations that provided further empirical evidence for the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen treatment and advancements in Oxygen Therapy perspectives.

A presentation by James Wright MD USAF (Rtd.) instigated the use of the SOS Hyperlite hyperbaric chambers for the transportation of casualties from the battlefront to the nearest available medical facility. The paper investigated the benefits of immediate hyperbaric oxygen treatment and provided evidence to suggest that the availability of on-scene hyperbaric chambers for immediate treatment or transfer-under-pressure capabilities would provide a capability to oxygenate wounds rapidly thus preventing hypoxia. The availability of a single occupancy SOS Hyperlite hyperbaric chamber, known as the EEHS in the military, provides capability for both on scene treatment and transfer under pressure. The International Hyperbaric Medical Foundation offered awards to several members of the HBO community, which included the Athena Award for Breakthroughs in Science & Engineering to John and Jane Selby of SOS Hyperlite for the development of an ‘air transportable hyperbaric chamber capable of 3 ATA.’ The SOS Hyperlite, which is approved for air transportation of casualties, remains the only portable non-metallic chamber approved by ASME/PVHO-1 the US national standard for hyperbaric chambers for all oxygen therapy treatments.

SOS Hyperlite would like to offer their warmest congratulations to Dr Philip James, who was awarded a Lifetime Achievements Award, as a pioneer of Hyperbaric Medicine. Dr James was responsible for the establishment of hyperbaric charity chambers in the UK, originally for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis sufferers, and now offered to all those who are in need of oxygenation treatment. The benefit of such chambers for the treatment of various conditions has been undeniable, with NHS announcing further cuts and integrating a policy of no reimbursement for treatments other than for decompression sickness. The establishment of such chambers has made hyperbaric treatment available to all members of the public at affordable prices. Each treatment costs in the region of $60 and requires a medical prescription from a Physician or hospital. Find out more about your nearest MS Centre in the UK call MS Resource Centre 0800 783 0518 ext. 1 or visit www.msrc.co.uk.  

A Lifetime award for Cutting Edge Science of HBOT was presented to Dr. Paul Harch, who continues to provide outstanding commitment to advancements in HBOT. Find out more about the Dr Harch’s continued commitment by visiting http://www.hbot.com

Finally special thanks were given to the conference organisers, Jeremy and Sharon Philips of FMI Event Management, who delivered a comprehensive and well organised event.

On 26^th August 2010, a second treatment took place for a diver suffering from Decompression Sickness in the Les Escoumins region, also making a full recovery. An article about this will soon follow. For more immediate information, please contact Mr Josh Boisvert on Jocelyn_Boisvert@ssss.gouv.qc.ca 

A Scuba diver who suffered decompression sickness after a rapid ascent received urgent, local treatment in a SOS Hyperlite Hyperbaric Stretcher, making a full recovery. The Hyperlite, which is stationed at the Health Centre of the Haute-Côte-Nord, Québec Province, was purchased for the rapid response to diving accidents and incidences of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. The diver benefitted from having local treatment with the minimum of delay.  

In a brief interview with the Journal de Québec, Dr Guillaume Lord, the local hyperbaric physician made the following comments:

“Sunday was the first time in Canada that we have used a portable hyperbaric chamber in a hospital. The incident followed an uncontrolled ascent from the deep. The Diver received exactly the same treatment as he would have received at the Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital in Quebec (the nearest alternative hyperbaric facility some 300km away). The portable chamber saves us time, whilst also averting the need to take the patient over high ground, which would aggravate the decompression problem further.”

The Hyperlite at Les Escoumins was purchased in 2008 through fund raising activities primarily for the benefit of the diving community.

Mr. Jocelyn Boisvert, ex-Canadian Navy clearance Diver and Co-ordinator of Centre de Médecine de Plongée du Québec gave the following statement: -

“We treated a diver this weekend in the Hyperlite (TT6) for 5 hours and everything went as per the planned protocol. The diver was released without any residual symptoms. The quick response to treat the diver was a key factor in the result. Our Doctor was on the phone with the technician and was able to coordinate the treatment from his office here in Lévis Québec.”

Used primarily for the treatment of pressure related injuries for military, commercial and sports diving accidents, as well as in battlefield medicine and aeromedical evacuation. the SOS Hyperlite’s unique portable design makes it ideal for quick deployment and as  first response medical aid.

For further information about Hyperlite Hyperbaric Stretchers, please contact Paul Selby on +44 (0) 845 263 8155 or alternatively email paul@hyperlite.co.uk.

25.8.2010

SOS Hyperlite are delighted to announce that the Hyperlite Mod.1 has now received Health Canada Approval. The system is now accepted as a medical device and approved for use in Canada.

The Hyperlite Mod.1 was on display and presented at the Submarine Escape Equipment Panel Meeting in Gosport, UK earlier this week. Reaction to the Presentation was good and many NATO representatives recognised the great benefits of a portable hyperbaric chamber on scene to treat submariners returning to the surface.

Our new model, The Hyperlite Mod.1 was on full display to the yachting community at the 2009 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. Alongside other diving equipment at the Lauderdale Dive booth, the Hyperlite received strong interest from several parties. Thanks must be given to the Lauderdale Dive Team and Blue Foot Diving for providing us with space to present the Mod 1 system, at one of, if not the, busiest booth at the entire event.