Let's Dive into hyperbarics

Hyperbarics seems like something out of a sci-fi movie… how does sitting in a chamber for up to 90 minutes with air pumping in actually benefit me?

Don’t get me wrong—it’s great sitting in my little cone of silence. Away from reality, no distractions… except that tiny voice reminding me to put my mask on and off.

So how does sitting in an oxygenated metal box actually help?

We could talk through the hypoxic/hyperoxic processes, but even the words themselves can be mind-boggling—let alone the explanation. So let’s break it down and look at the benefits in a simple way.

First, we force ourselves to slow down and stop.

For our mental health, this is essential. Taking time to switch off and reset is so important—but it’s something we often forget or don’t prioritise.

Then we have the oxygen side of things.

HBOT is all about increasing the amount of oxygen in the body, creating a more oxygen-rich environment for our cells to thrive in. It does this by allowing oxygen to dissolve more effectively into the bloodstream and reach deeper into tissues at a cellular level—think white blood cells, stem cells, and the cells responsible for bone and skin repair.

This helps these cells do their job more efficiently. When this happens, the body is better able to support healing and recovery. Things like concussion, soft tissue injuries, and inflammation can really benefit from HBOT sessions.

Like most things, consistency is key, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is just as important.

Now you’re probably thinking… this doesn’t sound too bad, and the benefits seem pretty appealing—but what’s the actual process?

Completing an HBOT session, or “dive,” is the easy part.

We pressurise the chamber to around 1.5 atmospheres, which is similar to being about 5 metres below sea level—hence the term “dive.” You may feel a bit of ear popping, similar to when a plane takes off.

Once the chamber is at pressure, you put on a mask. Oxygen is delivered through the mask for 20 minutes, then you can take it off and breathe normally for 5 minutes. This cycle is repeated 2–3 times depending on your session length.

While you’re in the chamber, you can just relax—watch a movie, read a book, scroll on your phone, or try not to fall asleep (honestly… don’t fight it).

At the end of your cycles, we slowly depressurise the chamber, bringing you back to normal pressure. Your ears might pop again, but outside of that, you’re good to go—ready to get on with your day knowing you’ve invested in your health and recovery.

Research into hyperbarics in Australia is still relatively new, but there’s a whole rabbit warren of information out there if you want to dig a little deeper—which we always recommend. And as always, check with your healthcare professional if you’re unsure.