Diving Medicine Center

Diving Medicine Center Services

Treatment for injured divers is more than just providing a re-compression facility. It's about supplying total care for the patient. This includes ambulance service, X-ray and imaging, private rooms for observation after treatment and sometimes physical therapy and rehabilitation. All these services are offered at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

The other benefit is that the patient is in the best place in case additional complications occur. Diving is one of the safest recreational activities in the world. But accidents can happen. If something does happen then you have the piece of mind that no matter what the problem may be, you are in a world class medical facility.

The Badalveda Diving Medicine Center features a Sechirst 2500 monoplace chamber. Our monoplace chamber provides total privacy and comfort. The patient lies down during the course of their treatment and can watch TV, or listen to music.

Plus unlike multi place chambers the patient does not need to wear a mask for the entire process. The chamber is filled with 100% oxygen. All the patient needs to do is relax and breathe normally. The hospital also has access to multi place chamber facilities in case of multiple cases.

1) If you suspect you have DCI then please come to the emergency room at the hospital or you may call 1719 to arrange for an ambulance. Our ambulance service can arrange collection from any where in Southern Thailand. Air evacuation is also available in emergency situations.

2) Once at the hospital you will see the ER doctor or Diving Medical Officer (DMO) who will ask about your symptoms and conduct a basic motor function test. A DMO is a doctor qualified in underwater medicine and hyperbaric chamber operation.

3) If the doctor suspect DCI then a chest x-ray will be conducted to determine the extent of the injury. Chest x ray are recommend before receiving treatment within a chamber. The x-ray helps identify pneumothorax - air trap in pleural cavity.

4) After the x ray the patient will placed in the chamber under supervision of DMO and DMT. When receiving chamber treatment it is essential to remove any items of clothing, jewelry, watches etc that may generate static electricity. These items can be hazardous in a pure oxygen environment. It is also essential to tell the physician if you are or may think you are pregnant.

5) How long your treatment will take is dependent upon your condition. Most patients receive a US Navy Treatment Table 6. This will take approximate 5 hours to complete.

6) After treatment you will be moved to a private room on the international ward for observation. The Diving Medical Officer will assess your condition and determine whether additional treatments are required.