Frequently Asked Questions

General HBOT: In broad terms, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing concentrated oxygen in a pressurised environment, which can increase the amount of oxygen available to the body’s tissues during the session.

What We Offer (mHBOT): At ReviveO2, we provide Mild HBOT (mHBOT) at 1.5 ATA. This is a non-invasive wellness modality designed to support general well-being. The process relies on Henry’s Law, a physics principle that explains how increased pressure helps more gas dissolve into liquids. In this case, it can increase the amount of oxygen carried in your blood plasma during the session, alongside the oxygen carried by your red blood cells.

The Analogy: Think of your blood like a bottle of Sparkling Water. Under normal pressure (lid off), the bubbles escape. But under pressure (lid on), the gas dissolves completely into the liquid. By pressurizing the chamber, we essentially “fizzy up” your blood plasma with oxygen, allowing it to soak into tissues that red blood cells can’t reach.

General safety
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used in both medical and wellbeing settings. For many people, a wellness HBOT session at 1.5 ATA is generally considered low risk when the person is suitable and the session is run properly.

What you might feel (common and expected)

• Ear pressure during the first part of the session, similar to flying.

• Mild sinus pressure if you are blocked up.

• Some people feel sleepy or very relaxed afterwards.

Less common, but important

• Ear or sinus pain if you cannot equalise properly.

• In rare cases, barotrauma (ear or sinus injury) can happen if someone pushes through pain or has congestion.

How we keep it safe at ReviveO2

• We do a short safety check before your first session.

• We pressurise slowly, and you can ask us to pause at any time.

• We teach simple equalising techniques (swallowing, yawning, gentle pressure methods).

• If you feel pain, we stop and bring the pressure down safely.

When you should not do it
You should not do HBOT if you have an untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung). We also take extra caution and may ask for medical clearance if you have certain lung conditions, uncontrolled ear problems, or recent surgery.

Simple rule
If you can usually clear your ears on a plane and you are not congested, most people tolerate the session well. If you cannot equalise or you are unwell, it is better to postpone.

Wellbeing note
This is a wellbeing service and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions.

The Analogy
You can think of the safety profile like Commercial Flying. Millions of people fly every day safely, the main sensation is just the pressure change in your ears. We operate like a commercial flight (safe, pressurized, regulated) rather than a fighter jet (high-intensity hospital pressure).

Medical HBOT (hospital)
Medical HBOT is delivered in hospitals using hard chambers at higher pressures, with medical supervision. It is used for specific medical indications where HBOT is clinically appropriate.

Wellness HBOT (ReviveO2)
Wellness HBOT is delivered at a lower pressure, using a soft-shell chamber. At ReviveO2 we operate at 1.5 ATA as a general wellbeing experience. People typically use it as part of a calm routine, to relax, switch off, and support everyday recovery from a busy lifestyle. How you feel afterwards varies from person to person.

Key differences

• Setting: hospital medical service vs wellness setting

• Pressure and equipment: higher pressure hard chamber vs lower pressure soft chamber

• Purpose: clinical care for specific conditions vs general wellbeing and relaxation routine

• Access: medical decision and supervision vs wellbeing booking with safety screening

The Analogy: Think of Medical HBOT (Hospital) like Emergency Surgery it is intense and necessary for saving a limb. Wellness HBOT (ReviveO2) is like Going to the Gym. It is a lower intensity, proactive way to build health, recover faster, and maintain the body without the extreme stress of a hospital procedure.

General Contraindications: While generally considered low risk for many people, pressure-based sessions are not suitable for everyone. The main concern is anyone with trapped air that could cause problems as pressure changes.

Our Safety Checklist: You should not use the chamber if you have an untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung). As a general precaution, we do not run sessions during pregnancy. We may also ask you to postpone if you have severe congestion or an ear infection that makes it hard to clear your ears comfortably. We review a full safety checklist with you before booking.

The Common Perception: Many people associate hyperbaric chambers with the small, rigid, tube-like monoplace chambers used in hospitals, which can feel isolating.

The ReviveO2 Reality: We specifically chose 1.5 ATA soft-shell chambers to make the experience feel more open. They are spacious (large enough to sit up in) and have multiple viewing windows. You are not mechanically locked in. If you want to stop, our staff can end the session and bring the pressure down safely.

Practical tip: Before you start, we can do a quick walkthrough so you can see the windows, feel the space, and watch how we open and close the chamber, so you know exactly what to expect.

The Analogy: Forget the “tube” image. Sitting in our chamber feels more like relaxing in a private camping tent or a First-Class airplane pod. You have your own window, plenty of space to sit up or stretch out, and total control.

The Sensation: For most people, it is not painful. The main sensation is during the pressurisation phase (descent), when you may feel pressure in your ears, similar to driving up a hill or taking off in an aeroplane.

How We Manage It: Our staff will coach you through simple equalisation techniques (yawning, swallowing, or sipping water). Once you reach the target pressure of 1.5 ATA, the ear pressure usually settles. If you feel discomfort at any point, we can slow down, pause, or stop the session.

Quick reassurance: If you can usually clear your ears on a flight, most people tolerate the session well.

The Safety Rule: No. Electronic devices are not permitted inside the chamber due to fire safety protocols in an oxygen-enriched environment. We avoid anything that could create unnecessary risk, including battery or static issues.

The Analogy: Think of this as “Airplane Mode” for your entire life. Just like your phone charges faster when you stop using it, your body recharges faster when your brain isn’t processing notifications.

The Benefit: We frame this as a feature, not a bug. In a world of constant notifications, this is a rare chance for a true “Digital Detox”. Most clients use the time to read, meditate, or simply rest without distraction.

Practical note: You can leave your phone safely outside the chamber (with us or in a secure spot), and we can let you know after the session if anyone tried to call or message.

Short Term (The “Glow”): Many clients say they feel more relaxed, refreshed, or mentally clearer after a session, sometimes from the first few visits. Others feel little change straight away. It depends on the person, sleep, stress, and how your week has been.

Long Term (Routine): If you enjoy it, the biggest benefit tends to come from consistency. Some people choose a block of sessions as a simple wellbeing routine. A common approach is a course of 8–16 sessions for people who want to build it into their routine, but results vary and nothing is guaranteed.

The Analogy: Think of your cells like a Smartphone Battery. If you are at 5%, one session acts like a “Fast Charger”, you get a quick boost to function again. But to maintain 100% battery health and stop the drain, you need a consistent charging routine (a course of sessions).

Wellbeing note: This is a wellbeing service and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition.

The Mechanism: Ice baths (cold exposure) and saunas (heat exposure) are more intense experiences for the body. Many people use them because they like the challenge and the “reset” feeling afterwards.

The HBOT Difference: HBOT is usually a calmer session where you rest in a pressurised chamber while breathing concentrated oxygen. Studies have explored HBOT and cellular energy markers, but results depend on the protocol and the person. Some people choose to combine HBOT with sauna or cold exposure as part of a consistent routine.

The Analogy: Ice baths can feel like rebooting your computer. HBOT can feel more like plugging your phone in and letting it charge quietly. Different tools, different feeling, and you can mix them based on how you feel.

Wellbeing note: This is a wellbeing service and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition.

Medical vs. Mild: While hospital HBOT treatments for specific medical indications can last up to 2 hours, wellness sessions are usually shorter and comfort-focused.

The ReviveO2 Session Length: Our standard session is 60 minutes at 1.5 ATA.
Clinical studies have used 60-minute sessions as a common session length, which is why our standard session is 60 minutes at 1.5 ATA. People respond differently. Please allow 75 minutes total for your appointment (including pressurisation and depressurisation).

General Rule: To minimise static electricity risks in the chamber, many hyperbaric facilities recommend specific clothing.

What We Ask: We ask that you wear 100% loose cotton clothing (or as high a cotton blend as possible). Please avoid synthetic activewear (nylon, polyester, spandex) like leggings or football shirts. We also ask you to remove watches, jewellery, and avoid hairsprays or oils before entering.

The 3-Step Routine: Preparation is simple and stress-free.

1. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before your session. Being well-hydrated can help your ears equalise pressure more easily and can help you feel more comfortable during pressurisation.

2. Eat Lightly: Have a light meal or snack 1–2 hours before. You don’t want to be hungry (distracting) or overly full (uncomfortable) while relaxing.

3. Restroom: We recommend using the facilities right before you enter the chamber so you can enjoy the full 60 minutes uninterrupted.

The Analogy: Think of hydration like Engine Oil. If you are dehydrated, your ear tubes are “sticky,” making it harder to clear the pressure. If you are well-hydrated, everything is lubricated and smooth, ensuring your “drive” to 1.5 ATA is seamless.