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Decompression chamber facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A decompression chamber is a large container that divers can enter after they have surfaced to help their bodies return to normal atmospheric pressure. It is also called a "recompression chamber" or "hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber".

When a diver returns to the surface too quickly, he can suffer from decompression sickness (also know as "the bends".) To prevent this divers would stop at various points as they returned toward the surface to allow their bodies to adjust to the pressure change. If a driver uses a chamber, the diver will adjust in the chamber rather than stop at various depths underwater. This eliminates many of the risks of long decompressions underwater, in cold or dangerous conditions.

Images for kids

  • Barokomora Nis hyperbaric center

    Monoplace chamber for clinical hyperbaric oxygen treatment

  • HBOT pressure gauge and decompression valve

    Pressure release valve and pressure gauge inside a flexible low pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber

  • Saturation system schematic plan

    Schematic plan of a simple saturation system showing the main pressure vessels for human occupationDDC - Living chamberDTC - Transfer chamberPTC - Personnel transfer chamber (bell)RC - Recompression chamberSL - Supply lock

  • Hyperbaric escape module 20151203 134043 (cropped)

    A small hyperbaric escape module

  • Esclusa para el paso de alimentos y medicación

    Medical lock on decompression chamber. Used to transfer medical supplies and food into and out of the chamber while it is under pressure. The door is locked by a 45 degree rotation. A safety interlock that prevents any rotation of the door while the lock is pressurised can be seen in the disengaged position, showing that it is safe to open the outer door. The gauge also shows that the pressure has been released.

  • Caisson hyperbare

    Recompression chamber

  • Early diving recompression chamber at Broome, Western Australia

    Early decompression (recompression) chamber in the park at Broome, Western Australia. The chamber is now located in the Broome Museum.

  • Decompression chamber

    Two United States Navy sailors inside a decompression chamber about to undergo training

  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 1 person chamber

    One person chamber

  • DDC Control panel PA197933

    Control panel of a basic deck decompression chamber

  • DDC Medical lock outside door closed PA197917

    The medical lock of a basic deck decompression chamber with the door closed

  • Deck decompression chamber PA197922

    Exterior view of a basic deck decompression chamber

  • US Navy 970619-N-3149V-002 Navy Transportable Recompression Chamber System

    Transportable decompression chamber

  • US Navy 020727-N-3725V-002 Sailors breathe oxygen after returning from diving on the USS Monitor

    Divers breathing oxygen during surface decompression

  • Diving instructor controls compression chamber

    Operating a chamber from the control panel

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