Frequently Asked Questions
at CryoClinic Maynooth

HBOT is a method of delivering extra oxygen into the body, mainly through the process of increasing the pressure that the body is normally under. In terms of HBOT, pressure is normally quantified in ATA and currently we are all standardized to be less than 1.0 ATA of atmospheric pressure. When someone undergoes hyperbaric therapy, the pressure becomes greater than 1.0 ATA and in hospitals can typically reach 2.4 or even 3.0 ATA. Each atmospheric pressure represents 33 feet of seawater, so at 2.0 ATA, it would be equivalent for you to be at a depth of 33 feet below sea level. Once at this depth, 100% oxygen is typically administered for the full duration of the treatment, which normally lasts for 60 to 90 minutes per session, and this procedure can be repeated once per day.

HBOT helps by ensuring that oxygen-rich plasma reaches the injured areas, accelerating wound healing, and effectively reducing swelling and pain. By optimizing oxygen delivery, HBOT promotes a more rapid recovery. White blood cells are the body’s frontline defenders against infections and diseases.

There will be magazines, newspapers and an e-tablet available for use. You are also welcome to bring you own book or newspaper. Mobile phones, laptops, watches and anything else with a battery are not allowed in the HBOT chamber.

As the chamber is being pressurized, air presses on your eardrums and pushes them inwards. This pressure feels like the pressure that you feel in your ears when you are flying in an airplane. Most people (90%) automatically and easily adjust to these pressure changes, while reporting no adverse effects.

If you are in the 10% minority, then the only problem that you may experience with this is either discomfort or pain in your ears or sinuses, like that which you would feel if you were congested while landing from an airplane. The only difference is that you ‘cannot tell the pilot on an airplane to 'stop’.

In the case of HBOT, we would encourage you to signal or radio the attendant immediately if you have discomfort in your ears or sinuses. Don’t wait until it really hurts. The operator will stop pressurizing and decrease the pressure until you are comfortable and able to equalize the pressure. When you’re comfortable the operator will resume pressurizing. Our operators are well experienced at dealing with these cases and are willing to work with you as required.

Here are some techniques in helping to equalize your ears:

• Try to swallow, yawn or drink sips of water. Turn your head to one side and swallow, then turn to the other side and swallow. Repeat if necessary.

• The Valsalva Maneuver – Pinch your nose closed, close your mouth, and lift the front-tip of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth. Attempt to blow through your pinched nose (short and sharp) but not too forcefully. This directs air from your throat into your ears and sinus air passages.

• A third method combines these techniques: try swallowing and wiggling your jaw while blowing gently against your pinched nose.

Hyperbaric sessions are typically 60 minutes but can vary from 30 - 90 minutes. Sessions that last more than 60 minutes can take longer, as 5-minute air-breaks may be required. This is for safety precautions and is generally recommended when pressures exceed 2.0 ATA. The total session time must consider the time to both pressurize and depressurize. Lower pressure protocols will take less time to pressurize/depressurize (as little as 5 minutes each way), while higher pressure protocols will take longer (up to 25 minutes each way). 

Traditionally, hyperbaric oxygen is defined as breathing 100% oxygen under pressure. However, ambient air still contains 21% oxygen, and when you breathe it under pressure, more oxygen will get transferred into the body. More importantly, the extra oxygen enters the blood plasma (liquid) and gets oxygen into much deeper areas (i.e., where inflammation impedes blood flow) and in places where red blood cells cannot normally reach. This is a great technique to achieve greater levels of oxygen without the associated risks of being in high oxygen environments.

Side effects are rare but may include mild ear pressure or fatigue. These usually resolve quickly.

The reported benefits of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy have typically been from those who have had one session per day, with up to 20 sessions per month. Following 20 sessions, you may re-evaluate for visible benefits before proceeding.

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is recommended. All jewellry and accessories should be removed. All devices are to be left outside the chamber (phone, smart watch, etc).

There are four (4) seats in our HBOT chamber. If the time slot you are wanting took book is not available, please contact us at info@cryoclinic.ie and we’ll see if we can fit you in!

Our custom-built HBOT chamber can sit up to four (4) adults. When booking a session, please know that you might be seated alongside another user. If you prefer to have the chamber to yourself, please contact us at info@cryoclinic.ie to book your appointment.

Your role is quite simple: to communicate with our operator each time and let them know if there are any changes in your health. For example, you may have reported on your first visit that you were not pregnant, but when you come in for multiple visits it is your responsibility to let us know if there are any changes in your health, and in this example, it would be ‘if you are potentially pregnant’. This is the reason why the checklist for on-going hyperbaric sessions* must be answered each time you go into the hyperbaric chamber. This is for your safety and once again it is your responsibility to let us know each time you go in ‘if there are any changes’ in your health.