AFFILIATED DIVE OPERATORS

The Islands of The Bahamas are consistently ranked among the top five SCUBA Diving destinations in the world. Their coral reefs, pristine waters, and prolific marine life are a natural magnet for recreational SCUBA divers. In addition it is the #1 destination for underwater filming to the motion picture industry, having left behind a myriad of wrecks including all of the James Bond artifacts.

The Bahamas also has a population of Commercial Divers who use SCUBA and other diving systems to harvest conch, lobster, and fish. The SSS Network / Bahamas also has special programs in place to ensure that these divers are treated whenever there is an accident.

In tandem with our local dive operators, and the SSS Network ACCESS PROGRAM, we work to provide the safest possible treatment in the case of a diving accident.

These Dive Operators have made a strong commitment to diving safety in The Bahamas.

Bahamas Dive Operators

Aquacat Bahamas Divers	Bahamas Dive Operators	Cat Ppalou
Sandals	Stuart Cove's	Local Fishermen Affiliates

Please ask the local manager for special programs designated for fishermen . They relate to education, evacuations, administrative matters and related services.

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TREATMENTS & THERAPY

ARE YOU OR A LOVED ONE SUFFERING FROM ANY OF THESE 13 CONDITIONS?

Accepted Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For the U.H.M.S.
1. Air or gas embolism
2. Carbon monoxide poisoning and CO poisoning complicated by cyanide poisoning
3. Clostridal myositis and myonecrosis (gas gangrene)
4. Crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias
5. Decompression sickness
6. Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds
7. Exceptional blood loss (anemia)
8. Intracranial abscess, actinomycosis
9. Necrotizing soft tissue infections
10. Refractory osteomyelitis (Infected bone)
11. Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis)
12. Skin grafts and flaps (compromised)
13. Thermal burns

OSTEOMYELITIS
Osteomyelitis arises from an inflammatory process involving a bacterial infection of bone. Although physicians use aggressive surgical and antibiotic therapies, the healing process can slow dangerously. In studies done with animals, HBOT was proven to be an effective extra or adjunct therapy for certain infections of the bone. Those infections arose from the infective organisms Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudo-monas aeruginosa. The oxygen tension in infected bone is low. Studies show that elevating the oxygen tensions in affected bones and the surrounding tissues helps speed healing. To be even more precise, at pressures of 1500 mm Hg, HBOT in-creases the phagocyte killing of anaerobic and some micro-aerophilic aerobic pathogens. Oxygen radicals tend to concentrate, which proves lethal to some infective organisms. The effectiveness of some antibiotics may be enhanced, and collagen synthesis accelerates.

NECROTIZING SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS
Necrotizing infections cause hypoxia in surrounding tissues. This condition promotes an environment where anaerobic bacteria can proliferate. The infection also triggers a c ondition called occlusive endarteritis. Antibiotics aren't always useful against the infection because of insufficient oxygen. Aminoglycosides, the antibiotics used against such infections, need oxygen to be transported across the bacterial cell wall. The hypoxia accompanying infection makes these medications less efficacious.
The principal treatments for necrotizing soft tissue infections are surgical debridement and systemic antibiotics. Death rates are lower among patients with necrotizing infection who receive HBOT treatments plus standard therapy, and they require fewer debridements.

SOFT TISSUE RADIONECROSIS
Some patients undergoing radiation therapy experience complications that emerge long after the treatment. One such delayed complication is radionecrosis caused by damage to small blood vessels, which can lead to a condition known as a progressive obliterative endarteritis with fibrosis. Scientific studies show that HBOT is a therapy that heals areas affected by soft tissue radio necrosis by promoting angiogenesis in compromised areas.

OSTEORADIONECROSIS
Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) can be another side effect from cancer treatment, when bone sustains damage to its cells and the blood cells supplying it. Four areas of the body most likely to be damaged are the lower jaw, or mandible; the chest wall; the pelvis and vertebral column; and the skull. Damage is most common in the mandible. Wounds to affected bone fail to heal because of hypoxia. Fortunately the damaged bone responds to HBOT.

DIABETES
Despite the best efforts of doctors and patients, many diabetic patients develop skin ulcers. When the skin breaks down on the feet, a diabetic can face difficult challenges. Diabetic patients often require hospitalization when they develop lesions on their feet. Early, aggressive wound care strategies that include the use of hyperbaric therapy can prevent amputations, and often vastly improve the quality of life for patients.

Criteria for Diabetic Wounds:
1. 30 Days with minimal improvement
2. TCOM reading of 35- or higher

UNDERSTANDING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

Pure Oxygen : Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is pure oxygen. The air we normally breathe contains 21% oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides 100% oxygen within a pressurized chamber. This hyperbaric, or high pressure, dose of oxygen provides distinct therapeutic benefits and is used to treat a variety of illnesses as well as problem wounds. It may be used as the primary treatment for some disorders, but it is often combined in treatment plans with antibiotics and surgery.

How it works : During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you will breath 100% oxygen while you are within the comfortable hyperbaric chamber. The chamber is pressurized as prescribed by your doctor. The therapy greatly increases the amount of oxygen delivered to your body tissues by the bloodstream. It is important to understand that the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy result from an oxygen enriched bloodstream and not from oxygen contact with wounds.

The Benefits : Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides many benefits in treating certain illnesses and problem wounds. While your physician will discuss the specific reason for your referral to the Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre for this therapy, generally hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides one or more of the following benefits:

1. Enhanced wound healing and the immune response system
2. Reduces Bacterial formation
3. Stimulation production of white and red blood cells
4. New blood vessel formation (Neovascularization)
5. Oxygenates and preserves ischemic/ damaged tissues by increased 02 delivery
6. Reduction or elimination of the effects of toxic gases
7. Reduces bubble size
8. Reduction in Inflammation or edema

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THERAPY

A Comfortable Environment
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you will lie conformably in the chamber and breathe normally. Typically, patients feel no differently than when lying in bed. You may listen to music, watch movies, or nap throughout your therapy. You may experience a sensation of fullness in your ears during a portion of the therapy. This sensation is similar to the mild pressure you may feel when flying, or driving up and down a mountain road, as your eardrums respond to the pressure changes associated with changes in elevation. Prior to therapy, you will be taught several easy techniques to avoid ear pressure discomfort.

The Number of Treatments
The number of treatments you may receive during you course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy will depend on your individual needs. Patients with problem wounds often require 20 to 40 treatments to achieve maximum benefits. The care team at the Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre will discuss our personal treatment plan with you before therapy begins. The exact number of treatments will depend, in large part, upon your body's response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The frequency of treatments varies for each individual, but typically outpatients receive treatments once a day, for five days a week.

Minimal After-effects
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy typically does not produce any after-effects. Like all medical treatments, however, hyperbaric oxygen therapy does present some risks. While these risks are quite rare, the care team will discuss them with you before you consent to therapy. Occasionally, between treatments, some patients may experience a crackling sensation in the ears. This sensation can be easily relieved using the same techniques to relieve ear pressure that are used during therapy. If this sensation does persist, please report the problem to the Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre care team. On rare occasions, patients may develop a temporary change in eyesight after extensive treatment programs. In these extremely rare instances, any altered vision usually return to pretreatment levels within six to eight weeks after therapy has been completed.

PREPARING FOR THERAPY

The care team at the Bahamas Hyperbaric Center will discuss specific preparations required before your therapy. All patients need to consider the following as part of their operation therapy.

No Smoking : Tobacco products constrict blood vessels, and limit the delivery of blood and oxygen to the body's tissues.

List all Medications : It is very important that you provide a complete list of all medications, both prescribed and non-prescription, you are taking to the care team at the Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre. Since some medications change the body's response to oxygen, the care team will discuss your individual medications with you prior to therapy.

Illness : Your therapy may have to be rescheduled if you experience any symptoms of illness. Please let the care team know immediately if you are experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stuffy nose, headache or generalized body aches. If you need any further information about hyperbaric oxygen therapy, please call your physician or a member of the care team at the Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre. We'll be glad to assist you.

POST-TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

After every Hyperbaric Treatment, the patient should drink plenty of fluids, avoid hot showers or baths, non-prescribed medications, caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, strenuous exercise, oily spicy foods, avoid exposure to higher elevations (more than 1000 ft) or do not fly until 72 hours after the last treatment or cleared by the dive physician.

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