Soft hyperbaric chamber vs. hard chamber – choosing a chamber for oxygen therapy.”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is experiencing a renaissance and is attracting increasing interest. It’s no surprise — it offers multifaceted benefits for our health. Beyond its use in treating various medical conditions, it can also be successfully applied in sports, physiotherapy, and spa & wellness centers.

During the procedure, the patient, usually lying down, breathes a high concentration of oxygen under increased pressure. This allows significantly more oxygen to enter the body, as gases also dissolve in the blood plasma under these conditions. The dissolved oxygen is then delivered to every part of the body, even those with limited blood flow.

Types of Hyperbaric Chambers

When choosing the right model for oxygen therapy, it is worth considering the different options available on the market. The most important criteria are the design, material, number of seats, and maximum operating pressure. Everything depends on the user’s needs and the characteristics of potential patients.

Hard and Soft Chambers

Hard chambers are characterized by a solid, durable construction, usually made of metal such as steel or aluminum. Their design allows them to maintain very high pressure, making them ideal for advanced oxygen therapy treatments. They are typically equipped with windows made of thick, transparent material, allowing monitoring of the patient during therapy, which enhances both psychological comfort and safety.

“Soft chambers, made from flexible materials such as specialized technical fabrics or vinyl, are lighter and more portable. They are equipped with frames and resemble a tent or sleeping bag in structure, as the user must zip them closed after entering. During compression, they fill with air and become rigid. This makes them easy to transport and set up, making them an ideal choice for use in homes, physiotherapy clinics, and spa & wellness centers. Due to the limited strength of the material, the pressure in these chambers reaches a maximum of 1.5 ATA. Soft versions also have windows through which the patient can see their surroundings and maintain eye contact with the therapist, although these windows are smaller and also made of plastic.

There are also soft chambers reinforced with special straps, which increase their pressure resistance—up to 2 ATA. This value is still considered mild oxygen therapy, but the treatments are significantly more intensive than in traditional soft chambers.

Single-, Double-, and Multi-Person Chambers

Depending on the number of users and the available space, you can choose a single-, double-, or multi-person chamber. In both categories—hard and soft—there are models designed for one, two, or several people.

Najczęściej spotykane są komory jednomiejscowe, zwłaszcza te o kształcie tuby, w których pacjent znajduje się w pozycji leżącej. Ta pozycja zapewnia większy komfort i relaks, choć może być problematyczna dla osób starszych lub z ograniczoną mobilnością. Dla takich pacjentów lepszym rozwiązaniem może być model OxyUno Comfort, który umożliwia umieszczenie fotela lub wózka inwalidzkiego wewnątrz.

Larger multi-person chambers, which can accommodate 2 to 4 people, are most commonly used in large centers where the ability to treat many patients in a shorter time is important. The OXYMATIC^® brand offers a four-person model—OxyQuatro. During the treatment, each person has their own mask or nasal cannula through which oxygen is delivered.

Differences Between Soft and Hard Hyperbaric Chambers

• Pressure Level and Therapeutic Effect

Soft chambers allow pressure levels of up to 1.5 atmospheres (ATA), which qualifies as mild hyperbaric therapy (mHBOT). Chambers made from durable materials, such as metal, can reach up to 3 atmospheres, which is the standard in classic HBOT, where pure oxygen is typically administered. This makes metal chambers suitable for use in hospitals, often for treating severe cases that require more intensive therapy. However, it is also possible to undergo treatment in a hard chamber offering mild oxygen therapy, as some centers and individual clients prefer this option.

• Patient Safety and Medical Supervision in Hyperbaric Chambers

In the case of hard chambers, where high pressure—above 2 ATA—is used, more stringent supervision is required, as they can cause discomfort or adverse reactions. Operation of such equipment should be overseen by trained medical personnel, which increases patient safety. This does not apply when metal chambers are used for mild oxygen therapy. In that case, just like soft chambers, they are safe due to the lower pressure and can be used in home settings or public places such as spas and wellness centers.

• Cost and Availability of Chambers on the Market

Hard chambers, due to their more advanced design and use of expensive, more durable materials, are more expensive both to manufacture and to purchase. Soft chambers, due to their lower cost, are more affordable, making them increasingly popular in a variety of settings, such as wellness centers, gyms, and even increasingly being chosen by individual users for home recovery zones.

Applications of Hyperbaric Chambers in Therapy

When to choose a hard chamber?

The robust chambers are ideal for medical applications in hospitals and other health care facilities, especially for treating serious conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression injuries or complications from radiation therapy. This is because they can use a higher atmospheric pressure when performing traditional HBOT oxygen therapy treatments. However, because of their rigid construction and unique design, they can fit in with other customers’ tastes. Nothing prevents a hard chamber – of course, with a pressure no higher than 2 ATA – from being installed in a wellness center, gym, physiotherapy office, or even at an individual client’s home.

When to opt for a soft chamber

First of all, soft chambers are more portable and easier to install, making them ideal for those who plan to move the chamber or have limited space. They are also more affordable, which can be important for those who are new to oxygen therapy or have a smaller budget. Soft chambers typically operate at lower pressures (up to 1.5 -2 ATA depending on the model), which will be sufficient for home use and less advanced therapy needs.

Summary

In summary, the choice between a hard or soft hyperbaric chamber depends on specific therapy needs, space availability and budget. Hard chambers are ideal for advanced therapies in hospitals and professional centers, offering higher pressures and robust construction. Soft chambers, while less robust, are more portable, less expensive and sufficient for mild oxygen therapy, making them an ideal choice for home use or in places such as spas, physiotherapy offices and gyms. Before buying, it’s a good idea to learn about the different models available and their capabilities. Regardless of your choice, hyperbaric oxygen therapy remains an innovative method of improving health and well-being.