What Is an HBOT Chamber? What to Know Before Your First Session

If you’re considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, one of the first questions you may have is: What is an HBOT chamber?

An HBOT chamber is a specially designed pressurized environment used for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). During a session, pressure inside the chamber rises above normal atmospheric pressure while oxygen is delivered according to the treatment protocol.

That combination of increased pressure and oxygen is what makes hyperbaric therapy different from simply breathing supplemental oxygen.

What Happens Inside an HBOT Chamber?

A hyperbaric session typically includes three stages: pressurization, time at treatment pressure, and depressurization.

As the chamber begins to pressurize, you may notice pressure in your ears similar to what you experience during airplane takeoff or landing. You’ll usually be guided on ways to equalize that pressure as your body adjusts.

Once the chamber reaches the prescribed pressure, you can relax for the treatment period. At the end of the session, pressure gradually returns to normal.

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society defines a hyperbaric session as the complete process of entering the chamber, pressurization, treatment under pressure, depressurization, and exiting the chamber.

What Is an HBOT “Dive”?

You may hear an HBOT session referred to as a “dive.”

The term comes from diving medicine because increasing pressure inside a hyperbaric chamber creates pressure conditions similar to descending beneath the surface of the water.

You are not actually underwater. “Dive” is simply industry terminology for the process of increasing pressure inside the chamber and later returning it to normal atmospheric pressure.

Are There Different Types of Hyperbaric Chambers?

Yes. Two commonly recognized types of clinical hyperbaric chambers are monoplace and multiplace chambers.

A monoplace chamber is designed for one person at a time. A multiplace chamber can accommodate multiple people simultaneously, with oxygen typically delivered through a mask, hood, or another delivery system.

You may also encounter softer, lower-pressure chamber systems in the broader wellness market. These are not necessarily equivalent to clinical HBOT systems, so it is important to understand the chamber, pressure capability, oxygen delivery method, and protocol being used.

What Type of HBOT Chamber Is Best?

There is no single chamber that is automatically “best” for every situation.

Instead, consider the complete treatment environment.

Questions worth asking include:

• What pressure can the chamber safely achieve?
• How is oxygen delivered?
• What safety standards does the facility follow?
• How is the chamber maintained?
• Is the person receiving treatment appropriately monitored?
• What training does the team have?

Safety matters especially in hyperbaric environments because higher oxygen concentrations require strict operational and fire-prevention protocols. In 2025, the FDA reinforced the importance of staff training, proper patient monitoring, equipment maintenance, and following manufacturer instructions when using HBOT devices.

How Long Are You Inside an HBOT Chamber?

Session length varies depending on the protocol and purpose of treatment.

Many sessions include time for both gradual pressurization and depressurization in addition to the period spent at treatment pressure. Your provider should explain what to expect before your first session and how long you should plan to be at the facility.

The number and frequency of sessions can also vary considerably depending on your goals and health considerations.

Experiencing HBOT at ALBI Wellness

When choosing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the chamber itself matters — but so does the environment surrounding it.

At ALBI Wellness in Houston, HBOT is offered as part of a broader recovery and longevity experience, with advanced wellness technologies available to complement an individualized approach.

If you’re considering your first session, learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at ALBI Wellness and what to expect from your visit.