Downbelow’s staff recently visited Malaysia’s newest hyperbaric treatment chamber, which is right here in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
A hyperbaric treatment chamber is essentially a construction that can be pressurised to, in the context of diving, simulate being deep underwater. Divers know it best as a tool treating decompression sickness in diving emergencies caused by a too rapid ascend.
By special invite from the head of the facility, Lt. Col. Dr. Hakimi, Downbelow were allowed special access to the Malaysia Navy Base in Sepangar, where we were treated to a full presentation and informative tour of the newly completed hyperbaric treatment chamber.
“The hyperbaric treatment chamber in Kota Kinabalu is the pride and joy of the Navy as it’s the most up to date facility in the whole of Malaysia”, boasted Dr. Hakimi.
Since it’s opening not too long ago, they’ve been able to treat patients with a variety of illnesses that are, surprisingly, not all diving related.
Ailments such as respiratory diseases, carbon monoxide poising and even gas gangrene – sometimes suffered by type II diabetics – have all responded positively in the hyperbaric treatment chamber.
Such treatments are often called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT.
Richard and the staff thanked all the Malaysia Navy staff, in particular Lt. Col. Dr. Hakimi, for sharing their wealth of knowledge with our professional dive team.
They’ve helped us stay up to date with the latest diver safety equipment and treatment for dive emergencies available to divers in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah.
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