SSS Recompression Chamber Network

SSS Network · Cozumel Hyperbaric Chamber

ABOUT

The Cozumel Hyperbaric Chamber and Clinic provides specialized medical care for commercial and recreational SCUBA divers suffering from Decompression Sickness (DCS) and Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE). Our clinic services also treat non-emergency ailments in divers (ear problems, fitness to dive physicals, and the like). We have also used HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) to treat patients with non-diving related ailments: burns, non-healing wound care, crush injuries, traumas, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Chamber Tours

If you are visiting Cozumel 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 there is no interference with patient treatments being conducted.

Professional Affiliations

The SSS Network / Cozumel Chamber Facility is an International Divers Alert Network (IDAN) Referral Center, part of the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and a member of the European Underwater and Baromedical Society (EUBS).

• UHMS: www.uhms.org
• EUBS: www.eubs.org

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OUR STAFF

The SSS Network / Cozumel Chamber Facility is staffed by a team of full time professionals trained in all areas of emergency and hyperbaric medicine. While each member of staff often performs a variety of duties, chief among them are Dive Medical Officers (DMO), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Diving Medical Technicians (DMT), Chamber Operators, Chamber Technicians, and Patient Attendants. Patient Attendants "ride" in the chamber along with every patient, and are often cross trained with other emergency medicine specialties. Two of our full-time doctors are board certified as ENT and Internal Medicine, respectively.

Some of our Cozumel key staff:

• Mr. Julio Torres — Operations Manager, EMT, DAN Instructor & EFR Instructor
• Mr. Ignacio Cureno — General Manager

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OUR CHAMBER & EQUIPMENT

The SSS Network / Cozumel Hyperbaric Facility uses a Multiplace (double lock) Recompression Chamber. It is equipped to accommodate up to three patients plus an inside attendant, who accompanies the patients for the duration of the treatment.

A "Multiplace" or "Double Lock" Chamber allows the chamber technician to transfer additional relief staff or physician, supplies, and any other necessities to and from the chamber without interrupting the treatment. The chamber may be pressurized to 50 meters or 165 feet (fsw), allowing us to provide any of the table options as outlined in the U.S. Navy treatment protocols, plus the mixed gas COMEX tables. Many chambers used worldwide today can only be pressurized to a maximum of 18 meters or 60 feet (fsw). While adequate for HBOT (chronic wound healing treatments), they are incapable of delivering the full range of available treatment protocols for all diving accidents. Multiplace and Double Lock chambers are much more expensive to operate, but we feel that the level of medical care delivered is worth the extra expense.

Additional Facilities

We also provide a wide range of emergency medical services at our facility. We have X-ray capability, an operating theater, hydro-therapy facilities, lab facilities, as well as a full complement of examination rooms and other diagnostic services.

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AFFILIATED DIVE OPERATORS

Diving is a relatively safe sport, however there is always the possibility of an emergency. Whether these emergencies evolve into a full-blown accident often depends on the immediate care the victim receives. All divers should be aware of the causes, signs and symptoms of potential diving accidents, and be prepared to deal with them. Ensuring dive buddies are properly trained in emergencies is just as important. Remember — a little planning and education can save a life!

The establishment of a Recompression Chamber in a remote location (or at an underdeveloped infrastructure destination) is a serious undertaking. However, the ongoing, guaranteed operation of a recompression facility that is adequately staffed year-round is more than that: it is an enormous challenge!

In a small community, where practically the only revenue treatments for the unit are diving-related, while at the same time the chamber staff is trying to create enough awareness to prevent accidents, the financial strain to remain viable is daunting. The few billings for medical procedures are not predictable, nor quantifiable enough to guarantee the clinic's continuity. Thus, through a combined effort of Medicina Hiperbarica Integral (MHI Cozumel) and the following dive operators, a program was devised to solve this challenge.

(The dive operators are listed below in alphabetical order.)

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CONTACT US

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

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