Frequently Asked Questions
Please find our main FAQ’s below. For frequently asked questions about Glucose Levels and HBOT for People with Diabetes, please see our Diabetes FAQ page.
General Introduction
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) consists of breathing oxygen at a pressure higher than local atmospheric pressure for the treatment or prevention of specific diseases. It involves breathing a higher concentration of oxygen in a special chamber that becomes pressurised.
The increased pressure helps your blood carry more oxygen, which can:
Support the healing of damaged tissues
Reduce swelling and inflammation
Encourage the growth of new blood vessels
HBOT is used alongside standard medical treatments for some health conditions, such as chronic wounds, radiation injuries after radiation therapy, certain infections, and decompression sickness.
According to the European Underwater and Baromedical Society, there is a general consensus that the term HBOT can only be applied when the partial pressure of oxygen in breathing mixture exceeds 1.5 absolute atmosphere (ATA) for a minimum period of 60 minutes (excluding compression and decompression).
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HBOT is recommended for people with certain medical conditions where extra oxygen has been shown to improve healing or recovery. These conditions include:
Chronic wounds, like diabetic foot ulcers
Injuries or wounds caused by radiation therapy
Serious or long-lasting infections, such as chronic bone infections
Thermal burns
Recovery from some surgeries (when advised by a doctor)
Sports injuries
Emergency health situations such as decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning*
*Please note that emergency conditions are not treated at this clinic.
Please see our HBOT uses section for further information. Please note that some conditions are covered by health insurance and recognised by regulators. There is ongoing research into other uses for HBOT. It is for clients to decide whether or not they would like to try HBOT.
Always speak to your healthcare provider to find out if HBOT is right for you.
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HBOT is usually used alongside other medical treatments to support healing in conditions such as:
Diabetic foot ulcers and other wounds that are slow to heal
Radiation damage to soft tissue or bone following radiation therapy
Certain types of tissue damage and poor circulation issues
Serious infections such as chronic bone infections
Recovery from some surgeries or soft tissue injuries (if advised by your doctor)
Researchers are also looking into the benefits of HBOT in other conditions such as long COVID-19, dermatological concerns, neurological conditions, and to support fertility. However, these uses are still being studied. Please see our HBOT uses page for further details.
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HBOT is not suitable for everyone. Some people should avoid it completely, while others may need special medical evaluation before starting treatment.
Absolute contraindications mean that you should NOT have HBOT. These include:
Having an untreated pneumothorax (an untreated collapsed lung)
Taking certain medications, including bleomycin, cisplatin, disulfiram, doxorubicin, and mafenide
Relative contraindications mean that you may still be able to have HBOT, but a doctor will need to review you first. Examples include having:
Asthma or COPD that is not under good control
High blood pressure that is hard to manage or has remained high despite treatment
Certain lung conditions
Unstable diabetes (difficulty controlling blood sugars)
Severe heart failure
Claustrophobia or anxiety about being in enclosed spaces
Recent surgery on your ears, eyes, or chest
Certain implanted medical devices (always check manufacturer guidelines)
An active sinus infection or upper respiratory tract infection
A history of seizures
A high fever or temperature
pregnancy
Please note, HBOT is not automatically ruled out for people who currently have cancer, but it does require a discussion with your doctor first.
If you have any of the conditions above, please talk to your healthcare provider to find out if HBOT is safe and appropriate for you. If a client has a contraindication, this must be disclosed to OxyGeneration.
Treatment Experience
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During HBOT, you’ll sit comfortably inside a pressurised chamber. As the pressure increases, you might feel a fullness in your ears that feels similar to when you’re on a plane. This can be relieved by swallowing or yawning.
The chamber may feel warmer as the pressure increases, but most people find the experience comfortable, relaxing and painless.
Once the correct pressure is reached inside the chamber, an announcement on the intercom will advise you to put on your oxygenation mask so that you can breathe nearly pure oxygen. The chamber will stay at the right pressure for an hour, during which time you can read, relax, watch the TV in the chamber, or chat to others. You can remove your mask at any time to breathe normal air, but for HBOT to take place, you’ll need to wear the mask which delivers the higher levels of oxygen.
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Our chamber is a spacious, 14 person facility built to meet strict EU medical safety standards. The chamber is:
Well-lit and comfortable
Fitted with padded seats
Monitored at all times by trained professionals
Designed to help you feel at ease throughout your treatment
The chamber was custom-made by SMP Ltd. The company is based in the UK and known for producing high-quality hyperbaric systems used in medical settings, commercial diving, and military subsea and emergency rescue solutions. SMP Ltd are ISO certified for Quality, Environmental and Medical Devices.
Our system includes:
A low-pressure hyperbaric chamber with 14 seats (“dives” to 2.0 ATA)
Air compressors
Gas storage cylinders
A PSA plant oxygen generator
The chamber meets the following strict international safety standards.
Code of Construction and Working Practice for Low Pressure Barochambers and pressure vessel constructed to a recognised code of construction under survey of an IACS member.
Manufactured and certified in accordance with IMCA guidance to provide a comprehensive assessment of the system.
Compliance with HSE guidelines, UK Health and Safety, BSI quality standards and CE accreditation.
Our chamber is similar to those used by commercial divers and sports clubs that provide hyperbaric oxygenation. It is used for non-emergency treatment purposes – this is currently the most common use for HBOT worldwide, accounting for 90% of its use.
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No, our chamber can accommodate up to 14 people per session. You will always be able to communicate with staff at any time via the intercom, cameras, or windows.
OxyGeneration can accommodate block bookings or private sessions if so desired. Please contact our staff if you have further questions.
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The chamber is sealed during treatment and clients are asked to stay for the full session so that everyone can get the full benefits of HBOT. However, if you feel unwell or there is an emergency, the chamber depressurises in 10 minutes so that you can safely exit.
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You can bring the following into the chamber:
Water in a reusable bottle
Reading materials such as a book or magazine
Some items cannot be safely taken into the chamber. You cannot bring:
Mobile phones or electronic devices (unless the manufacturer has specified that they are safe at 2.0 ATA)
Please note if the device is cracked, the casing bent or otherwise damaged in any way, it cannot be brought into the chamber.
Cigarettes
Food
Electronic car keys
Lighters, vapes and flammable items
Alcohol or petroleum-based perfumes or creams
Alcohol based make-up
Jewellery
Hearing aids
Hard contact lenses
Lockers are available for valuables and any items that cannot be taken into the chamber. For clients that have pacemakers or other internally fitted medical devices, please consult with the manufacturer if the device is safe at 2.0 ATA.
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To get the most from your treatment, remember to:
Eat a balanced meal before arrival – there is no need to fast
Avoid caffeine and fizzy drinks
Wear loose, comfortable, cotton clothing
Bring a reusable water bottle
Avoid alcohol/ petroleum-based hair or skin products
Avoid smoking before your session
If you’re taking medication, have specific health concerns, or any other query, please speak to our team before your session.
Practical Details
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Each HBOT session lasts about 80 minutes, including time for the pressure to safely increase and decrease.
The number of sessions you need depends on your condition. Most people require 10 to 30 sessions, but this will be discussed with you based on your individual needs.
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We deliver treatments at 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA). This is the standard pressure for most non-emergency uses of HBOT.
Our chamber is not designed to provide emergency treatment of decompression illness (which usually involves treatment at a higher pressure).
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Yes. The closest car park to the OxyGeneration Clinic on Merchants Road is Hynes Yard Car Park, located directly across the road.
OxyGeneration clients can avail of a special parking rate of €11 for 24 hours. To use this discount:
Enter Hynes Yard Car Park as normal and keep your parking ticket.
When you arrive at the clinic, inform our staff that you are parked in Hynes Yard.
A member of staff will provide you with a discount coupon.
When paying for parking, insert your original ticket and the discount coupon into the machine. The reduced rate will be automatically applied.
This offer is limited to one car per client and may be used on every visit.
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Yes. The clinic building is wheelchair accessible.
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Yes. Our lavatory facilities are fully wheelchair accessible.
Safety and Risks
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HBOT is generally safe and well-tolerated. The most common side effect is a feeling of pressure in your ears or sinuses – many people describe it as feeling similar to being on a plane.
Rarely, other possible side effects include:
Fatigue or feeling lightheaded
Temporary changes in vision
Small blood pressure changes
Serious risks, such as oxygen toxicity or ear damage are extremely rare and closely monitored by our trained staff.
Always speak to your doctor before starting HBOT if you have any questions or health concerns.
Access and Referrals
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You can self-refer (ask for HBOT without seeing a doctor) if you are:
Not currently under medical care for an illness
Not taking any prescription medications for a health condition
If you plan to use private health insurance, a referral from a consultant may be required. Please check with your insurer.
If you are currently under medical care for an illness or taking any prescription medications for a health condition, you are required to confirm with your doctor if you can receive HBOT.
Insurance and Payment
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Some Irish private health insurance policies do cover HBOT for specific conditions. When booking, please have your policy details and referral information to hand.
Your exact coverage will depend on your provider and policy.
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Please see here for the full list of conditions that Irish Life Health may cover.
Conditions that are most commonly covered include:
Arterial insufficiency (to prevent amputation), for example to help manage diabetic foot ulcers or non-healing wounds
Compromised skin grafts and flaps
Radiation necrosis and related soft tissue injuries following radiation therapy
Chronic refractory osteomyelitis (a long-term bone infection)
Second- and third- degree burns
A referral from an approved consultant is required. Please check your specific policy for full details.
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Yes, EU citizens may access HBOT in Ireland and apply for reimbursement from their home country, subject to their national regulations.
We are happy to help you with planning, paperwork and documentation.
Still Have Questions?
For more information or support, please contact OxyGeneration at 091 394444.
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