Sorted Therapies · Rental Documentation
mHBOT Chamber Safety & Use Guide
Everything you need to operate your rented Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber safely. Read this in full before your first session.
115
Vietnam Emergency Services
Dial 115 for any medical emergency. After the situation is safe, contact Sorted Therapies at keith@sortedtherapies.com to report the incident.
01 If something goes wrong
Read this section before your first session, not during one. If you ever need it, the steps below should already be familiar.
You want to come out
- This is normal and expected. The chamber is designed for you to end the session whenever you want.
- Take the oxygen mask off.
- Open the pressure release valve slowly. Aim for around 90 seconds to get back to zero pressure, regulating your ears the whole way (Section 6).
- Wait for the gauge to read zero, then open the zips and climb out.
Medical emergency: you can still operate the valve
You feel unwell but you are conscious and able to reach the valve.
- Take the oxygen mask off.
- Open the pressure release valve faster than usual, but not fully open in one motion. Aim for 30 to 60 seconds to vent.
- Regulate your ears as best you can. If pain is severe, slow down. Coming out alive with sore ears is fine; injuring your ears badly is not.
- Call out to your buddy. They should come to the chamber and help you out as soon as the gauge reads zero.
- Call 115 for emergency services if symptoms warrant it.
Medical emergency: serious symptoms, get help
Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, suspected seizure, fainting, or anything where you need someone else to act fast.
- If you can, ring the alarm bell or shout for your buddy before doing anything else.
- If you are still able to operate the valve, open it as in the previous section.
- If you cannot operate the valve, your buddy enters the room and opens it from the outside. They should switch the oxygen concentrator OFF first, then open the valve fully in one motion.
- The instant the gauge reads zero, open the zips and help the person out.
- Call 115 for emergency services. Then notify Sorted Therapies.
- Do not attempt medical treatment inside the chamber.
Even in an emergency: gauge must read zero before unzipping
Forcing the zips while the chamber is still pressurised will not get the person out faster. It can injure their ears and damage the chamber.
Wait for zero. It takes about 60 seconds in a full emergency vent. That is faster than help can arrive.
Fire, smoke, or burning smell in the room
- If you are inside the chamber: take the oxygen mask off and open the pressure release valve quickly. Aim for 30 to 60 seconds to vent. Shout for your buddy.
- The buddy switches the oxygen concentrator OFF immediately. The room is oxygen-enriched, which makes any fire spread fast.
- The instant the gauge reads zero, open the zips and get out of the chamber and out of the room.
- Do not attempt to fight a fire that has spread. Leave the apartment and call emergency services.
Power cut during a session
- The chamber will hold pressure briefly but cannot maintain it without the compressor.
- Open the pressure release valve slowly, as you would at the end of a normal session. There is no rush. The chamber simply stops adding fresh air.
- Once the gauge reads zero, climb out and end the session.
- Do not restart the equipment until power is fully restored and stable.
Loud bang, hissing, or alarm from the equipment
- Hissing from a fitting or hose: a pressure leak. Begin depressurisation as in Section 6.
- Concentrator alarm: end the session calmly. Do not use the chamber again until you have contacted Sorted Therapies.
- Loud bang or pop: depressurise immediately, climb out, and contact Sorted Therapies. Do not use the chamber again until it has been inspected.
02 Before you use the chamber
The one rule that matters most
Always have another person present in the apartment when you use the chamber.
You do not need someone sitting beside the chamber the whole time, but a second adult must be in the apartment, awake, and able to hear you if you need help.
This applies every time, no exceptions. The chamber is safe when used correctly, but if anything unexpected happens, you need someone who can respond.
Who should not use the chamber
If any of the conditions below apply on the day, do not use the chamber until you have written clearance from a qualified doctor.
Do not enter the chamber if any of these apply
- Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung). This is the most serious contraindication.
- Severe upper respiratory infection, severe sinus congestion, or current ear infection.
- Recent ear, sinus, or chest surgery.
- Uncontrolled high fever.
- Pregnancy, unless cleared by an obstetrician.
- Severe claustrophobia, uncontrolled epilepsy, or unstable cardiac conditions.
- Recent use of certain chemotherapy drugs (Bleomycin, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin) or Disulfiram. Check with your prescribing doctor.
- Inability to equalise ear pressure (cannot pop your ears by yawning or swallowing).
Day-of checks
- Have you had a cold, sinus issue, or ear pain since your last session? If yes, postpone.
- Have you been drinking alcohol in the last few hours? If yes, postpone.
- Use the bathroom before getting in. Sessions typically run 60 to 90 minutes.
- Wear cotton clothing only. Synthetic fabrics build static electricity, which is a fire risk in an oxygen-enriched space.
Take these things out before you get in
- Phones, smart watches, headphones, earphones, e-cigarettes, and anything else with a battery. No electronics inside the chamber, full stop.
- Lighters, matches, anything that can spark.
- Oils, perfumes, lotions, alcohol-based hand gels.
- Synthetic blankets, polyester pillows, anything not supplied with the chamber.
You can take a bottle of water and a book or paper magazine inside.
03 Setting up your room
The chamber works best in a clean, cool, well-ventilated room. The setup below should stay the same for every session.
- Use the chamber in a dry room with stable temperature. Aim for 16°C to 22°C.
- Run an air conditioner where possible. Keep windows closed during the session so the room temperature stays stable.
- Keep the area around the chamber clear of clutter, sharp objects, and anything that could puncture or scrape the chamber walls.
- Position the oxygen concentrator at least 30 cm away from walls and curtains so its airflow is not blocked.
- Make sure the second person in the apartment knows you are using the chamber and roughly when you expect to finish.
Fire safety: oxygen makes things burn faster
- No open flames, candles, incense, smoking, vaping, or aerosol sprays in the room.
- No flammable liquids or alcohol-based hand gels near the chamber.
- No cooking or kitchen activity in the room while the chamber is running.
04 Your daily routine
A simple, repeatable routine keeps the chamber clean and the equipment in good condition. The same routine applies whether you use the chamber daily or every few days.
Before each session
- Turn on the AC in the chamber room. Set it to between 16°C and 22°C.
- Plug in the oxygen concentrator, air cooler, and chamber compressor. Do not switch them on yet.
- Confirm the cooling fan is plugged in and charged.
- Vacuum inside the chamber using the small handheld vacuum supplied. Do this even if it looks clean. Small particles can cause static.
- Visually inspect the chamber walls, zips, hoses, and gauges. If you see damage, fraying, leaks, or anything unusual, do not use the chamber. Contact Sorted Therapies first.
End of session
- Vacuum inside the chamber.
- Dampen a clean cloth at the sink. Apply one spray of the supplied cleaning solution to the cloth. Do not spray inside the chamber directly.
- Wipe down the inside of the chamber.
- Wipe down the outside of the chamber, the cooling fan, the oxygen concentrator surface, and the air cooler with a separate clean cloth.
- Leave the zips open and the mattress airing inside the chamber.
- Switch each device OFF using its own power button. Wait until each device is fully off before unplugging.
- Vacuum the floor around the chamber.
- Turn off the AC.
Bedding and pillow
The supplied sheets and pillowcase are yours to wash and replace as you see fit. There is no requirement to change them between sessions. We recommend a wash every week or two during normal use, or sooner if needed.
Never unplug a device while it is still powered on
Switch the device off first using its own button. Then unplug. Pulling the plug on a powered device shortens its lifespan and may damage internal parts that the rental holds you responsible for.
Once a week: rotate the air filter
The oxygen concentrator has an air filter at the back of the machine. It traps dust before air enters the system. A clogged filter makes the machine work harder, runs hotter, and shortens its life. Rotating the filter weekly keeps the machine running cleanly.
- Pick a fixed day of the week (Sunday works well) and do this every week without fail.
- Switch the oxygen concentrator off and unplug it.
- Remove the filter from the back of the machine. It usually slides or clips out.
- Fit the spare clean filter in its place. Push it in fully so it sits flush.
- Rinse the dirty filter under clean running water until the water runs clear. Do not use soap, detergent, or hot water.
- Squeeze the filter gently to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist it.
- Lay the filter flat on a clean towel in a well-ventilated spot, out of direct sunlight, until it is fully dry. This usually takes 12 to 24 hours.
- Once dry, store it ready for next week's rotation.
Never put a damp filter back into the machine
A wet or even slightly damp filter pulls moisture into the concentrator's internal components. This causes corrosion, electrical faults, and can permanently damage the machine.
If you are unsure whether the filter is fully dry, leave it another day and use the spare. There is no rush.
05 Starting a session
Setting up and getting in needs two pairs of hands. Your buddy zips you in, watches the descent, and confirms you are settled at pressure. Once you are at full pressure and comfortable, your buddy can step away. They must remain in the apartment.
- Disconnect the air and oxygen lines from the chamber while you set up.
- Switch on the oxygen concentrator. Set the timer to your session length, typically 90 minutes.
- Switch on the air cooler. Have a cloth ready, as there is usually an initial water spurt.
- Confirm airflow and that the air feed temperature is between 12°C and 26°C.
- Reconnect the oxygen and air lines to the chamber. Pause the oxygen concentrator until you are fully inside.
- Check every fitting along both lines. Each connection should be snug tight, not loose, but never over-tightened. See the box below for what this means.
- Place a cloth under the air cooler. Empty or replace it roughly every five minutes during the session to catch condensation.
- Connect the oxygen mask. Leave it hanging just inside the chamber for now.
- Get into the chamber. Your buddy closes both zips fully end to end.
- Close the pressure release valve. Turn it clockwise until firm. Do not over-tighten.
- Your buddy sits beside the chamber with the on/off remote in hand, where they can see inside clearly. They watch for hand signals.
- Give the initial OK hand signal once you are settled.
- Your buddy stays with you for the entire descent. Equalise your ears continuously: swallow, yawn, or pinch your nose and gently blow as the pressure builds. Do not wait for discomfort.
- When the chamber reaches target pressure (typically 1.3 ATA), fit the oxygen mask.
- Note the start time. Make sure a clock or timer is visible through the chamber window for the rest of the session. From this point your buddy can step away into the apartment.
What "snug tight" means
Tighten each fitting by hand until it stops turning easily, then a small amount more so the connection feels firm. You should not be able to wiggle or pull the fitting loose, and you should not see or hear air escaping when the system is running.
Do not use tools or force. Over-tightened fittings strip the threads, crack the plastic, and can blow off under pressure. If a fitting will not seal at hand-tight, stop. Do not run the session. Contact Sorted Therapies.
If your ears get blocked during descent
This is the most common issue and it has a clear procedure. Do not push through ear pain. Pause and let the pressure stabilise.
- Signal your buddy. They press OFF on the oxygen concentrator and switch off the air cooler. The chamber will hold its current pressure.
- Take as long as you need. Swallow, yawn, or pinch your nose and gently blow.
- Once your ears have cleared and you feel normal, signal your buddy to switch both machines back on and continue the descent.
- If your ears will not clear after several minutes, end the session. Begin depressurisation as in Section 6.
During the session
- Your buddy must remain in the apartment, awake, and able to hear you for the full session.
- Glance at the pressure gauge every 5 to 10 minutes. It should hold steady at the target ATA.
- Track session time using a clock or timer visible through the chamber window, not a stopwatch you have to look down at.
- If pressure drops suddenly, the chamber is leaking. Begin depressurisation as in Section 6.
- If you start to feel unwell or want out for any reason, end the session. Do not push through.
06 Ending a session
When you are ready to come out, you have two ways to end the session. Pick whichever suits the moment. Either way, the person inside operates the valve, and the descent must be slow.
Option A: machines off, then depressurise
Best when your buddy is right beside the chamber, or when you want the quietest, simplest end to the session.
- Ask your buddy to switch the oxygen concentrator off, then the air cooler off.
- Take the oxygen mask off.
- Open the pressure release valve from inside the chamber. Open it slowly, a small amount at a time.
- Continue with the shared depressurisation steps below.
Option B: depressurise with the machines still running
Best when your buddy is elsewhere in the apartment, or when you simply want to come out without waiting. The valve releases air faster than the compressor adds it, so this works fine.
- Take the oxygen mask off.
- Open the pressure release valve from inside the chamber. Open it slowly, a small amount at a time.
- Continue with the shared depressurisation steps below.
- Once you are out, switch off the oxygen concentrator and the air cooler at their own power buttons.
Shared steps for both options
Whichever option you chose, the actual descent is the same.
- You should hear a gentle, steady hiss from the valve, not a rush. If it sounds too fast, close it part-way.
- As the pressure drops, regulate your ears continuously. Swallow, yawn, or pinch your nose and gently blow. Keep ahead of the pressure change rather than waiting for discomfort.
- If you feel any ear or sinus pressure building, close the valve part-way to slow the descent. Do not push through. Pause, equalise, then continue.
- Open the valve in stages so the full descent takes around 90 seconds, not 20. Slower is always better.
- The chamber will go quiet and stop pulling against the zips when pressure is equalised.
- Confirm the pressure gauge reads zero before opening the zips.
- Open the zips and climb out. Sit in a chair for a few minutes. Light-headedness is normal for a short period.
Confirm the gauge reads zero before opening the zips
Opening the zips while the chamber is still pressurised will cause an uncontrolled rapid decompression. This can injure your ears and damage the chamber.
Wait. Read the gauge. Confirm zero. Then unzip.
If you feel ear or sinus pain coming up
- Stop immediately. Close the release valve part-way and pause.
- Swallow, yawn, or pinch your nose and gently blow.
- Once the pain passes, continue opening the valve more slowly than before.
- If the pain does not pass, hold position, do not open the chamber, and call your buddy. Contact Sorted Therapies if it persists.
07 Quick reference
Pressure and temperature targets
| Setting | Target |
| Operating pressure | Typically 1.3 ATA (follow your protocol) |
| Air feed temperature | 12°C to 26°C |
| Room temperature | 16°C to 22°C |
| Session duration | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Concentrator timer | Match your session length |
Hand signals
| Signal | Meaning |
| Thumbs up or OK sign | I am OK, continue |
| Flat palm wave | Pause, something is not right |
| Thumbs down | I want out: begin depressurisation |
| Hands to ears | Ear pressure issue, slow down |
| Alarm bell | Immediate buddy attention |
Cleaning: what to use, what to avoid
| Use these | Never use |
| The supplied organic cleaning spray | Bleach or chlorine cleaners |
| Damp microfibre cloth | Alcohol-based wipes or gels |
| Handheld vacuum (chamber interior) | Solvents, acetone, paint thinners |
| Dry wipe-down with a clean cloth | Aerosol sprays of any kind |
08 Looking after the equipment
- Keep the chamber, hoses, mattress, and accessories in the condition they were delivered in. Reasonable wear is expected. Damage is the renter's responsibility.
- Do not move the chamber to a different address without telling Sorted Therapies first.
- Do not attempt repairs. If something is not working, contact Sorted Therapies.
- Do not modify the equipment, swap parts, or use accessories that did not come with the rental.
- Keep the original packaging if you have space for it. It is needed for safe return at the end of the rental.
When in doubt, stop the session
There is no session worth a hospital visit. If anything feels wrong, whether it is the equipment, the user, the room, or your own focus, pause the session and depressurise. Restart only when you are sure.
Sorted Therapies would rather hear from you with a question than read about an incident afterwards.