Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society

Applicants for the course should possess an M.D., D.O., or equivalent degree.  Preference will be given to those applicants who will use the training in their geographic areas to enhance the safety and efficiency of diving operations.  

The applicant must pass a diving physical examination if they wish to participate in diving/pressure related activities.  Please make sure you fill in the NOAA 56-59 Medical Form and fax to 919-490-5149.


Any applicant that is not a US Citizen is required to obtain approval for access to the NOAA/DOC property & facility. Procedures & links to the need forms read the below document: 

• NMAO Sponsored FN1 Access Procedures 
  "All required approvals (OSY and CAO) must be received PRIOR to granting the foreign national access to NOAA/DOC facilities.  In some cases, approval is required 30 days in advance.  For more detailed information and the forms see http://deemedexports.noaa.gov/sponsor.html.  These procedures are only for access to NOAA facilities only and in no way authorize the release of controlled technology to the foreign national.  If approval is not received in advance, foreign nationals will be denied access without exception."
  
  

CME Hours:  For MD/DO/PhD, or equivalent advanced degree, a Certificate of Continuing Medical Education Credits will be issued for those who complete an evaluation form.  

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The UHMS designates this educational activity for a maximum of 82 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty members participating in continuing medical education activities sponsored by UHMS Northeast Chapter are expected to disclose to the participants any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation. Full disclosure of faculty relationships will be made at the activity.

COURSE Registration: ONLINE    WORD    PDF

• Define hyperbaric and hypobaric pressure;
• define monoplace vs. multiplace chambers and criteria for selection;
• discuss the need for hyperbaric physicians;
• review diving/hyperbaric physics;
• understand the physiological implications of gas laws;
• know the acceptable limits of oxygen partial pressures;
• understand the relationships between gas volumetric content, pres-sure, and gas partial pressure;
• know the acceptable limits for carbon dioxide and inert gases in hyperbaric environments
  understand time/partial pressure relationships of involved gases;
• define causes, medical evaluations, Boyle’s Law;
• an understanding of CNS and pulmonary oxygen toxicity; the underlying pathophysiology will be made clear; at the completion, the student should have a thorough knowledge of oxygen use and complications;
• understand the relationship of alveolar gas pressure to breathing medium;
• understand the factors which determine the quantity and rate of gas transport to and from tissues;
• understand the concept of tissue gas partial pressure;
• reorganize the conditions under which “supersaturation” and “sub-saturation” occur in tissue;
• reorganize the factors which govern the formation, growth, and elimination of bubbles in tissue;
• understand the need for ventilators in hyperbarics;
• develop a clear understanding of calculation of tables; computer models and electronic decompression meters; physiological models of decompression;
• to be aware of the use of slower treatment tables to ensure the safety of the patient and the observer;
• to learn how to operate a chamber and experience first hand how to deal with gases, tables, and depths;
• Gain an understanding of the physiological basis of recompression therapy by learning the role of pressure in recompression therapy; understand the multiple roles of oxygen and the mechanisms of action of therapy gases; relate physiological principles to currently accepted practices;
• to provide general exposure to the Navy treatment procedures dealing with 1-diving disorders that don’t require recompression therapy; 2-diagnosis of AGE and DCI; 3-recompression therapy and omitted decompression;
• know the currently accepted physiological models for decompression;
• conceptually understand mathematical models used to compute decompression schedules;
• conceptually understand electronic and mechanical decompression meters;
• learn the shortcomings of currently used practices of decompression;
• learn procedures which will reduce the probability of decompression sickness;
• to develop an understanding of ENT anatomy to include physical examinations, special studies, ear conditions, sinus problems, barodontalgia, tempora-mandibular joint problems, equipment squeezes, gastrointestinal barotrauma, vertigo, contraindications to diving;
• gain an understanding of the physiological basis of saturation diving; learn procedures for saturation decompression, excursion diving, accident management during saturation; learn the rational use of saturation therapy for the treatment of conventional diving accidents; learn the advantages and limitations of saturation therapy;
• become familiar with evacuation methods for divers under pressure; case histories/diving accident statistics; management of deep saturation diving accidents; gas mixes; role of the DMT in the offshore diving industry;
• become familiar with the criticisms as well as the capabilities of the monoplace chamber in the treatment of decompression accidents;
• become familiar with the treatment algorithm for saturation DCI;
• gain an understanding of the current recompression procedures to include reviewing the settings in which recompression therapy is practiced, the capabilities and limitations of hyperbaric systems, the procedures required to protect inside personnel during treatments, the limits of hyperbaric life support systems, recompression procedures in remote areas and unusual situations;
• gain an understanding of the nature and hazards associated with diving in polluted water - to know the types of polluted water in which diving operations are currently conducted, the level of protection which is provided by various types of diving equipment, the routes by which divers are exposed to contaminants, the methods of exposure reduction/decontamination;
• the attendee should be able to list 5 categories of safety practices applicable to safe chamber operations; choose from a list , the conditions that could result in a safety hazard; select the proper procedure to prevent fire inside the chamber;
• gain an understanding of the types of diving equipment; learn the situations in which specific types of equipment are used; know the basic principles of operation of different types of equipment; learn about equipment failure that can contribute to diving accidents; learn about the way equipment can be used in the treatment of diving accidents;
• obtain a general description of clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the economic costs and benefits of clinical hyperbarics;
• reorganize the factors which govern the formation, growth, and elimination of bubbles in tissue
  be introduced to the latest research and treatment in the areas of the diabetic foot and thermal burns.

As a result of attending the course the participants should be capable to handle complex diving medical emergencies and be able to work and operate inside recompression chambers.