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What Should I Expect During a Hyperbaric Chamber Session? A First-Timer's Guide

Stepping into Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers for the first time can feel a bit like boarding a tiny spaceship short answer: expect a calm, pressurised environment where your ears pop, you relax, and nothing dramatic happens. If you want the full first-timer’s roadmap without the nerves or guesswork, keep reading.

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Your First Hyperbaric Chamber Session: What to Expect Step-by-Step

Your first session is where you learn how hyperbaric oxygen makes you feel, and most people quickly realise it’s far gentler than they imagined. Think spa-day calm mixed with a faint “airplane pressure” sensation.
Your technician will also explain how often you should use a hyperbaric chamber, since the frequency depends entirely on why you’re doing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

A Guide to Feeling Comfortable and Prepared

Once you know the flow, everything becomes easier. Some newcomers worry about little things, like how long a hyperbaric chamber session lasts, or whether you can sleep inside. Others quietly wonder how many times a day you can do a hyperbaric chamber, or even what happens if you need the bathroom (easy answer: go before your session).
Each of these small worries disappears once you’ve gone through a full session from start to finish.

Before Your Session: Preparation and Arrival

Arriving a few minutes early helps you settle in, ask questions, and understand the basics of what not to do before hyperbaric oxygen therapy including avoiding caffeine, perfumes, lotions, and anything flammable.

What to Wear (and What Not to Wear)

Your clinic will provide guidance on what to wear in a hyperbaric chamber, and it’s usually simple: loose cotton clothing, no synthetics, no metals.
Many women ask “can you wear a bra in a hyperbaric chamber?” you can, as long as it’s non-metallic. You’ll also stay fully clothed, so the answer to “do you wear clothes in a hyperbaric chamber?” is always yes.

Avoiding Lotions, Perfumes, and Flammable Items

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has strict safety rules. You’ll skip lotions, hair products, and anything oily.
If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t wear deodorant in a hyperbaric chamber, it’s because aerosols and oil-based products can become flammable when pressure increases.

The Initial Health and Safety Briefing

Your nurse or technician will ask about your medical history, medications, sinus issues, and ear health. They’ll also confirm eligibility, including the clinic’s policy on the age limit for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

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During Your Session: The Three Phases of Treatment

Inside the chamber, everything moves in three calm, predictable phases. You’ll also learn practical things people rarely discuss like why you should avoid caffeine (why no caffeine before Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) or why you can’t take your phone in.

Phase 1: Pressurisation (The "Descent")

This is where you feel pressure slowly increase, similar to sitting on a plane. Your ears adjust as the chamber “dives.”

What It Feels Like: Similar to an Airplane Taking Off

That familiar fullness in your ears kicks in. Swallowing or yawning helps, and the technician will coach you through it.

How to Clear Your Ears to Relieve Pressure

Ear-clearing becomes second nature. A few swallows or a gentle nose-pinch and exhale usually does the trick.

Phase 2: At Depth (The Treatment Phase)

Once the chamber reaches pressure, everything becomes still. This is where most people truly relax.

What It Feels Like: Relaxing and Quiet

The air feels fresh, and the environment is peaceful. If you’re wondering can you sleep in a hyperbaric chamber, many people do, completely unintentionally.

What You Can Do Inside the Chamber (Rest, Listen to Music, Sleep)

Depending on your chamber type, you may be allowed to read. So yes, in many clinics, you can read a book in a hyperbaric chamber.
Phones, however, are absolutely not allowed, so “can I bring my phone in a hyperbaric chamber?” is a firm no.

Phase 3: Depressurisation (The "Ascent")

Pressure decreases slowly, your ears may pop again, and you return to normal air pressure.

What It Feels Like: Your Ears May "Pop" Again

This part feels like landing after a short flight gentle, predictable, and over quickly.

The Role of the Hyperbaric Technician

The technician is your guide from start to finish. They ensure comfort, safety, and smooth pressure changes.

Constant Monitoring and Communication

You’re never alone inside the chamber. There’s an intercom for communication, and the team watches pressure levels closely.

Ensuring Your Safety and Comfort Throughout

They’re also the ones who help you understand how often you should get hyperbaric oxygen therapy, based on your condition and goals.

After Your Session: How You Might Feel

Most people step out feeling refreshed, calm, and mentally sharper. Others feel a little sleepy, all perfectly normal.

Potential to Feel Relaxed, Rejuvenated, or Slightly Fatigued

Your body just absorbed a significant amount of oxygen, so you may feel warm, light, or a little floaty. This is simply how your nervous system responds.

Post-Session Instructions and Recommendations

Your technician may suggest avoiding caffeine for a few hours, hydrating well, and noting how your body responds. They’ll also discuss your ongoing schedule, including how often you should use a hyperbaric chamber and what’s the longest you can stay in a hyperbaric chamber, depending on your treatment plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions for First-Timers

Is it claustrophobic inside a hyperbaric chamber?

Most modern chambers have clear walls, lighting, and enough space to stretch out. Even people who dislike tight spaces usually settle in comfortably.

How long does a typical session last?

If you’ve been wondering how long a hyperbaric chamber session lasts, most run 60–90 minutes. Extended medical dives exist but happen only under strict supervision.

Can I bring my phone or a book inside?

Phones are never allowed, but yes you can read a book in a hyperbaric chamber if your clinic allows it and it’s safe for the chamber type.

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