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 disease. It involves breathing high-concentration 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.
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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
Radiation injury
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 OxyGeneration.
Please see our HBOT Conditions 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.
OxyGeneration is an adult service. We do not currently provide HBOT for clients under 18 years of age.
Always speak to your healthcare provider to find out if HBOT is right for you.
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At Oxygeneration HBOT is 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
Anaemia
Sports injury
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. Please see our HBOT Conditions 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 contraindication means that you should NOT have HBOT. There is one absolute contraindication for HBOT an untreated collapsed lung (untreated pneumothorax).
Relative contraindications mean that medical review is required before treatment begins. mean This means that you may still be able to have HBOT, but OxyGeneration may request you confirm with your doctor first.
Examples of contraindications include:
HBOT involves increased pressure, conditions that impair pressure equalisation, cause air trapping, or affect lung function require careful monitoring to reduce the risk of eardrum rupture or other complications.
These conditions DO NOT automatically rule out HBOT. Medical review is required and treatment can usually proceed once the condition is stable and appropriate safety measures are in place.
Recent ear or eye surgery
Recent thoracic surgery or lung injury
COPD/ chronic bronchitis/emphysema
High blood pressure that is hard to manage or has remained high despite treatment
Unstable diabetes (difficulty controlling blood sugars)
Uncontrolled asthma
A history of seizure disorders
An active sinus infection or upper respiratory tract infection
Uncontrolled fever (high temperature)
Pregnancy
Taking certain medications, including bleomycin, cisplatin, disulfiram, doxorubicin, mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon), amiodarone, and nitrofurantoin.
Please note: Each of these medications requires an individual assessment and a break between finishing the medication and starting HBOT (a washout period), and may require further testing. HBOT reduces the efficacy of certain chemotherapy agents. Please see our Contraindications and Cautions section on our Suitability page.
Please note, HBOT is not automatically ruled out for people who currently have cancer, but it does require a discussion with your doctor first. Clients receiving or who have recently completed certain chemotherapy regimens should be aware that some medications require a washout period before HBOT can be considered. For more information, see our Cancer, HBOT & Evidence section of our Suitability page.
If you have any of the conditions above, please talk to your healthcare provider to find out if HBOT is appropriate for you. For the full list of contraindications and cautions, please see our Contraindications and Cautions section on our Suitability page. If a client has a contraindication, this must be disclosed to OxyGeneration.
Claustrophobia: most clients manage well with staff support, severe claustrophobia should be discussed before booking.
All new clients are required to complete a pre-treatment screening questionnaire before their first session. Where a medical caution or relative contraindication is identified, written clearance from your GP or treating doctor will be required before treatment begins. All clients are also asked to sign an informed consent form before commencing HBOT.
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Pacemakers or implanted medical devices. Some older or non-pressure-rated devices may not be approved for use in a hyperbaric chamber and could malfunction under pressure. Most modern devices are compatible, but device type and manufacturer approval should be confirmed before treatment. Please also refer to the Diabetics FAQ for information on relevant medical devices.
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Where appropriate, OxyGeneration can perform short, controlled session of HBOT where the pressure exposure is slower than normal (“pressure tests”) and sessions is shorter than a standard session for individuals who are uncertain whether they can comfortably equalise their ears or tolerate the chamber environment.
These may be helpful for individuals with chronic ear conditions, a history of difficulty equalising their ear pressure, or concerns about claustrophobia.
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. Once the correct pressure is reached inside the chamber, an announcement on the intercom will advise you to put on your oxygen mask so that you can breathe high-concentration 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.
Most people find the experience of HBOT comfortable and relaxing, though ear or sinus discomfort during pressurisation is common (similar to being on a flight). For your first session, please arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled time. A member of staff will talk you through pressure equalisation techniques before you enter the chamber.
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Our chamber is a spacious, 14-person facility built to meet strict CE-mark safety standards. The chamber is:
Well-lit and comfortable
Fitted with padded seats
Monitored at all times by trained staff
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 oxygen. 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 high pressure)
Please note if the device is cracked, the casing bent or otherwise damaged in any way, it cannot be brought into the chamber.
Staff may ask to visually inspect the device before it is permitted in the chamber
Cigarettes
Rechargeable battery packs
Food or snacks
Electronic/ battery car keys
Lighters, vapes and flammable items
Alcohol or petroleum-based perfumes or creams
Cosmetics or perfume
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 to confirm 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 2–4 hours before your session
Wear loose, comfortable, cotton clothing
Bring a reusable water bottle
Avoid petroleum-based hair or skin products
Avoid smoking 24 hours before your session
Diabetes / blood sugar: Please see Diabetes FAQ
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 approximately 80 minutes in total, which includes time for the pressure to safely increase and decrease. The pressurised treatment time at 2.0 ATA is 60 minutes.
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.
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Is there parking nearby?
Yes, there are several car parks close to the clinic. The closest car park to the OxyGeneration Clinic on Merchants Road is Hynes Yard Care Park, located directly across the road.OxyGeneration clients can avail of a special parking rate of €11 for 24 hours parking. To use this discount:
Enter Hynes Yard Car Park as normal and keep your parking ticket.
When you arrive in the clinic, inform staff that you are parked in Hynes Yard Car Park.
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 payment machine. The reduced rate will be automatically applied.
The offer is limited to one car per client and it may be used on every visit.
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Yes. The clinic and the chamber are wheelchair accessible.
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Yes. Our lavatory facilities are fully wheelchair accessible, and we have shower facilities on-site.
Safety and Risks
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When delivered appropriately, HBOT is generally considered a low-risk non-invasive therapy 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. Staff will guide you through simple equalisation techniques (swallowing, yawning) during pressurisation.
Other possible side effects include:
Fatigue or feeling lightheaded
Vertigo
small blood pressure changes
Claustrophobia or confinement anxiety – most clients manage well with staff support; please let us know in advance if this is a concern
low blood sugar(Hypoglycaemia) – clients with diabetes should monitor blood glucose before, during and after treatment
Temporary changes in vision (short-sightedness/ myopia): Temporary blurring or short-sightedness is a possible side effect during a course of HBOT and typically resolves within a few weeks of completing treatment. Clients should be aware that this may temporarily affect activities such as driving. With very extended treatment courses (typically 50 or more sessions), there is a small risk of accelerated cataract progression. If you notice any changes to your vision during a course of treatment, please seek optometric review.
Serious risks, such as oxygen toxicity are rare and closely monitored by our trained staff. Our chamber operates at 2.0 ATA with 90-96% oxygen, which carries a lower risk profile than higher-pressure or 100% oxygen protocols. Convulsions from oxygen toxicity, if they do occur, are generally brief, resolve when the oxygen source is removed, and do not typically cause lasting harm.
For a full description of risks and side effects, please see our Side Effects and Risks section on our Suitability page. Always speak to your doctor before starting HBOT if you have any questions or health concerns.
Access and Referrals
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In most cases, no – you can self-refer.
You may book HBOT without seeing a doctor first if:
You are not currently under medical care for an active illness, and
You are not presenting with any listed contraindications (see Contraindications section) .
If you disclose a contraindications or a medical condition, we may require a letter from your GP or consultant confirming that HBOT is appropriate for you before you can begin sessions.
If you plan to use private health insurance, a referral from a consultant may be required. Please check with your insurer.
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?
Before commencing treatment, all clients are asked to sign an informed consent form confirming they have read and understood the information provided. For further information on the contraindications, risks, and side effects please see our Suitability page. If you have any questions about the consent process, please speak to a member of our team before your first session.
For more information or support, please contact OxyGeneration at 091 394444.
Still Have Questions?
For more information or support, please contact OxyGeneration at 091 394444.
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