The Accidents in Hyperbaric Chambers – Retrospective Analysis
By: Pavel Böhm, Jana Holzmann and Tomáš Hynánek
References
- Miszewska A, Kot J, Lenkiewicz E. Safety of intensive care hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions at a tertiary academic hospital. Sci Rep15, 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-97226-6.
- Pougnet R, Henckes A, Pougnet L, Cochardb G, Lodde B, Danteca F et al. Accidents du travail en caisson hyperbare en France. Online.Archives des Maladies Professionnelles et de l’Environnement. 2014, 75(6), 574-578. DOI: 10.1016/j.admp.2014.05.008.
- Tobin DA. Explosive decompression in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1971, 111(3), 622–624. DOI: 10.2214/ajr.111.3.622
- Huang E (ed). Hyperbaric Medicine Indications Manual. 15.th ed. North Palm Beach, Florida: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, 2023, p 466.
- Mago V. Hyperbaric medicine: recent advances and clinical scenarios. 1st ed. Springer Nature, 2025. p 196.
- Pougnet R, Henckes A, Pougnet L, Cochard G, Dantec F, Dewitte J-D et al. Occupational accidents among attendants inside hyperbaric chambers in France.La Medicina del lavoro. 2015, 106(1), 17-22.
- Desautels, DA. Chamber experience and mishap database report for 1923–1998. UHMS Mishap Report. Kensington, MD: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, https://www.uhms.org/images/Safety-Articles/uhms_mishap_data_report_desa.pdf (2005, update 2008)
- GHIRS - Global Hyperbaric Incident Reporting System. Online. Report an HBO Incident. Dostupné z: https://www.uhms.org/global-hyperbaric-incident-reporting-system-ghirs.html.
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. UHMS Clinical Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation Manual. 4th ed. Durham: UHMS, https://www.uhms.org/images/Accreditation-Documents/Fourth_Edition_UHMS_Accreditation_Manual_Final_6-4-2018.pdf (2018)
- Sheffield PJ, Desautels DA. Hyperbaric and hypobaric chamber fires: A 73-year analysis. Kensington, MD: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, https://www.uhms.org/images/Safety-Articles/hyperbaric_and_hypobaric_cha.pdf (1997)
- BBC News. Boy dies in oxygen chamber explosion. BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/19452.stm (1997)
- Richardson, L. Explosion in oxygen chamber kills Japanese boy, 6. Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-01-mn-49012-story.html (1997)
- The Irish Times. 10 patients and nurse die within seconds in hospital fire. The Irish Times, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/10-patients-and-nurse-die-within-seconds-in-hospital-fire-1.121775
- Baromedical Associates. Hyperbaric chamber fires – lessons lost. Baromedical Associates Blog, https://www.baromedical.com/post/hyperbaric-chamber-fires-lessons-lost (2021, updated:May 10, 2022)
- JEMS. Family sues over fatal hyperbaric chamber fire. Journal of Emergency Medical Services, https://www.jems.com/major-incidents/family-sues-over-fatal-hyperba/ (2025)
- LaGrone, L. A year later, lawsuits in hyperbaric chamber fire continue. The Palm Beach Post, https://eu.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2010/05/22/a-year-later-lawsuits-in/7434781007/
- NBC News. Hyperbaric chamber fire kills Florida woman and grandson. NBC News, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30534932
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Explosion in hyperbaric chamber kills woman, horse. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association News, https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2012-04-01/explosion-hyperbaric-chamber-kills-woman-horse
- OSHA. Accident Investigation Summary – Accident: 201354297. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=201354297
- Вести Ставропольского края. В Пятигорске при взрыве барокамеры погиб человек. Vesti26.ru, https://vesti26.ru/news/32163 (2016)
- Интерфакс. В подмосковной больнице при взрыве барокамеры погиб пациент. Интерфакс, https://www.interfax.ru/amp/263065 (2012)
- Московский Комсомолец. Подросток заживо сгорел в барокамере. МК.ру, https://www.mk.ru/amp/incident/2012/08/31/743103-podrostokzazhivo-sgorel-v-barokamere.html (2012)
- Kurniawan, P. Jakarta hyperbaric accident report. European Baromedical Association, https://ebass.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/jakarta-accident-pk.pdf (2006)
- Zieliński E, Dzięgielewski P, Kowalczyk M, Henrykowska G. Fire in the Hyperbaric Chamber Review of the Literature. Polish Hyperbaric Research. 2023, 85(4), 43-54. DOI: 10.2478/phr-2023-0020
- New York Times. Boy killed in hyperbaric chamber explosion in Michigan. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/us/boy-killed-hyperbaric-chamber-explosion-michigan.html
- People. Parents are ‘absolutely devastated’ after their son, 5, dies during oxygen therapy in hyperbaric chambre, https://people.com/parents-are-absolutely-devastated-after-their-son-died-in-a-hyperbaric-chamber-11680597 (2025)
- Lake Havasu City. Flash fire in hyperbaric chamber. Availeble from:https://www.lhcaz.gov/news/article/flash-fire-in-hyperbaric-chamber (2025)
- Hyperbaric Chamber Fatality Raises Safety Concerns as Therapist Dies in Arizona Flash Fire, https://hyperbaricnews.com/news/hyperbaric-chamber-fatality-raises-safety-concerns-as-therapist-dies-in-arizona-flash-fire (2025)
- Paterni M, Mastorci F, Benvenuti C et al. A web-based training simulator of clinical hyperbaric chamber. Scientific Reports. 2025, 15(1). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-01095-y
- Al-Elq AH. Simulation-based medical teaching and learning. JFamilyCommunityMed. 17(1):p 35-40, 2010. DOI: 10.4103/1319-1683.68787
- University of Iowa Health Care. Fire safety in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Iowa City: UIHC, https://uihc.org/educational-resources/fire-safety-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy (2017)
- European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine. European Code of Good Practice for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Supplement to DivingHyperb Med [online]. 2023, 34(suppl. 1): 1–36.
Language: English
Page range: 47 - 56
Submitted on: Jan 22, 2026
Accepted on: Feb 10, 2016
Published on: Aug 29, 2026
Published by: Polish Hyperbaric Medicine and Technology Society
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
Related subjects:
© 2026 Pavel Böhm, Jana Holzmann, Tomáš Hynánek, published by Polish Hyperbaric Medicine and Technology Society
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.