Decompression chamber facts for kids

A decompression chamber is a special room or container that divers use after they come up from deep underwater. It helps their bodies slowly get used to the normal air pressure on the surface. Think of it like a safe, controlled way to "re-adjust" after a dive. These chambers are also sometimes called "recompression chambers" or "hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers."

What is a Decompression Chamber?

A decompression chamber is a strong, sealed room. It can change the air pressure inside. Divers go into these chambers after deep dives. The pressure inside the chamber is slowly lowered. This helps their bodies return to normal pressure safely.

Why Do Divers Need Them?

When divers go deep underwater, the water pressure around them is very high. Their bodies absorb more gases, like nitrogen, from the air they breathe. If a diver comes up to the surface too quickly, these gases can form bubbles in their blood and tissues. This is like opening a fizzy drink bottle too fast!

This problem is called decompression sickness. It's also known as "the bends." It can cause pain, dizziness, and even serious health problems.

How Chambers Help

To prevent "the bends," divers usually have to stop at different depths as they come up. This allows their bodies to slowly release the extra gases. This process is called "decompression."

However, stopping underwater can be risky. The water might be cold, or there could be strong currents. A decompression chamber offers a safer way to do this. Instead of stopping underwater, the diver goes into the chamber. The chamber then slowly lowers the pressure. This lets the diver's body adjust in a warm, safe place.

Different Kinds of Chambers

There are different types of decompression chambers:

• Single-person chambers: These are small and fit only one person. They are often used for medical treatments.
• Multi-person chambers: These are larger. They can hold several divers and medical staff. They are used for longer decompression times or for treating multiple people.
• Deck decompression chambers: These are often found on diving support ships. They are used by professional divers.

How a Chamber Works

When a diver enters a chamber, the door is sealed. The air pressure inside is then increased to match the pressure the diver felt underwater. Then, over several hours, the pressure is slowly lowered. This gives the diver's body time to release the extra gases safely. Sometimes, divers might breathe pure oxygen during this process. This helps the gases leave their body even faster.

Chambers have special controls and gauges. These allow operators to carefully manage the pressure. They also have "medical locks." These are small compartments. They let people pass food, water, or medicine into the chamber. This can be done without changing the pressure inside.

Decompression chambers are very important tools. They help keep divers safe. They allow people to explore the deep ocean without serious risks to their health.

Images for kids

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  Monoplace chamber for clinical hyperbaric oxygen treatment

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

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  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

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  A small hyperbaric escape module

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  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.

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  Recompression chamber

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

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

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  One person chamber

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  Control panel of a basic deck decompression chamber

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

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  Exterior view of a basic deck decompression chamber

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  Transportable decompression chamber

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  Divers breathing oxygen during surface decompression

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  Operating a chamber from the control panel