SSS Recompression Chamber Network

SSS Network · Galapagos Hyperbaric Chamber

OUR HISTORY

The Chamber Facility is part of the international SSS Network, a global hyperbaric medicine provider, and is operated by Protesub, S.A. of Ecuador.

The Hyperbaric Facility in Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago is operated by Proteccion Subacuatica del Ecuador S.A. (Protesub) and is in the town of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galapagos (pop. 25,000) and is a central "crossroads" to all of the islands, making it the logical center for diving and medical emergencies.

Protesub opened its doors to the diving community of Galapagos in July 2001. It started its operations with nominal dive operator support and has gained acceptance through awareness and education.

To date, the Unit has treated hundreds of recreational dive injuries requiring medical care and/or recompression treatments, which could have resulted in chronic injuries, death or permanent paralysis if the chamber did not exist. These include tourists, dive masters of the various dive operators. In addition, more than 200 indigent local artisan diving-fishermen have used the hyperbaric chamber, receiving treatment on a mere cost recovery, or often on a pro bono basis. This charitable activity is performed as a public service to the community that hosts SSS-Galapagos.

With the cooperation of the dive operators and the efforts of worldwide SSS Recompression Network, Protesub S.A. has been improving its standard of service to the dive community of Galapagos. It is more than a medical center specialized in Subaquatic and Hyperbaric Medicine.

The Hyperbaric Medical Center also offers a wound care service for other recognized Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy indications as burns, gas gangrene, CO intoxication, diabetic wounds, contaminated wounds, osteomyelitis, etc. We have treated over one thousand patients over the past twenty-two years with excellent results.

Chamber Tours

If you are visiting Galapagos and would like to tour our facility, you are welcome! Chamber tours are free, but we do ask that you contact us during normal business hours by phone to arrange an appropriate time to ensure patient treatments are not being conducted.

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ABOUT US / TRAINING / COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Hyperbaric Medical Center also plays an important role in education for the local diving community offering the following courses:

For the general public: Courses in BLS (Basic Life Support), PADI Diving Courses and PADI Emergency First Responders, DAN Oxygen Provider, DAN poisonous marine life management, and in the use of automated cardiac defibrillator, SSS Diving Accident Management, SSS Tender and Operator Courses.

For the Galapagos Marine Reserve National Park Service during the past two decades: Our staff has offered courses addressed to the local dive guides and Naturalist guides, about the physiology of diving and decompression theory, as well as in the use of oxygen equipment, rescue and BLS.

For artisanal diving fishermen and diving crew of local operators: We have given courses in recognition and management of diving accidents, use of oxygen equipment and BLS.

Protesub also co-sponsored three intensive research projects with the University of Trondheim (Norway), and DAN Research Department (USA). These programs were explicitly aimed to measure diving risks in diving fishermen and train them on how to reduce dive injury incidence.

We stay in direct contact with the Galapagos National Park providing information about the incidence of diving accidents in the Archipelago. Currently, Protesub is participating in a research project about the Galapagos Artisanal Fishermen activities.

Professional Affiliations

The SSS Network / Galapagos Facility is an International Divers Alert Network (IDAN) Referral Center and is a member of the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS).

• DAN: www.diversalertnetwork.org
• UHMS: www.uhms.org

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OUR STAFF

We maintain our hyperbaric clinic on a 24 Hour Emergency Basis, but also with regularly scheduled hours. Our staff includes Physicians, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's), Chamber Operators, and Patient Attendants. All are trained by accredited international associations in hyperbaric medicine.

The Clinic has the latest technology and operates under rigorous international regulations and safety standards. The medical and technical personnel has been trained in Europe (France and Spain), USA, and Mexico. The staff keeps up to date with Continued Medical Education seminars all around the world.

Dr. Gabriel Idrovo, MD, DMO

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OUR CHAMBER & EQUIPMENT

The SSS Network / Galapagos Hyperbaric Center uses a Multiplace Recompression Chamber that is equipped to accommodate up to two patients at a time, plus a Patient Tender (attending nurse). Patients must be accompanied by a Patient Tender during any/all recompression treatments.

Additional Facilities

The Hyperbaric Center, besides its hyperbaric service, offers medical consultations in internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, osteopathy, emergency medicine and physical therapy.

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AFFILIATED DIVE OPERATORS

With the assistance and support of dive operators in Galapagos, and through the SSS Network ACCESS PROGRAM, we work to provide the safest possible treatment in the case of a diving accident.

These Dive Operators have made a strong commitment to diving safety in the Galapagos Islands. If you plan on visiting Galapagos, please visit their web sites and learn a bit more about them.

The Dive Operators are listed below in alphabetical order. N.A. means no web link available at this publishing date.

Galapagos Dive Operators

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CONTACT US

You may contact the SSS Network / Galapagos Facility via email, mail, and/or telephone/fax.

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