Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses a special chamber, sometimes called a pressure chamber, to allow a patient to breathe 100% oxygen while the pressure in the chamber is higher than one atmosphere absolute (atm abs). The most recent studies indicate that the pressure is most effective when it is at least 1.4 atm abs. Some of the conditions that use hyperbaric therapy are:
gas gangrene decompression sickness (the bends) smoke inhalation air or gas embolism
carbon monoxide poisoning wound healing necrotizing soft tissue infections osteomyelitis radiation injuries skin grafts and flaps burns crush injuries