Hyperbaric & Diving Medicine Centre

The Hyperbaric & Diving Medicine Centre in SGH is the first comprehensive and integrated facility in Singapore serving the civilian community. The centre is led by a team of specialists, and is equipped with world-class facilities to manage the full spectrum of clinical and diving medicine indications.

Clinical Services

The key services provided by the Hyperbaric & Diving Medicine Centre include:

• Hyperbaric & Diving Medicine Consultation  
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Problem Wound Management
• 24-hour service for Diving Emergencies

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 5.00pm 
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: Closed

Contact Information

Singapore General Hospital, Block 4 Level 1

65 6321 3427

Call 6222 3322 (24 hours for diving emergencies)

Conditions We Treat

Conditions that can benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• Problem wounds (poor healing wounds)
• Decompression sickness (diving injuries)
• Late radiation injury (soft tissue and bony injuries)
• Compromised skin flaps and grafts
• Carbon Monoxide poisoning
• Acute traumatic ischaemic conditions(crush injuries, compartment syndrome)
• Gas gangrene
• Necrotising soft tissue infections
• Thermal burns
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Severe blood loss anaemia
• Intracranial abscess
• Air or gas embolism
• Idiopathic sudden sensori-neural hearing loss
• Avascular necrosis of fermoral head

Three Phases of Treatment

Compression

Treatment chamber pressure increases and it may become slightly warm. Feelings of fullness in the ears similar to sensation during airplane take off and landing may be experienced. 

Maintenance of Pressure

Once the treatment depth is reached, activities like reading or watching a programme in the chamber entertainment system is possible, whilst breathing oxygen in a transparent hood or mask. 

Decompression

Pressure is adjusted back to sea level once the treatment is complete and it will be cool. Feelings of fullness may occur again but nothing needs to be done as it is a normal sensation that will resolve naturally.

At what pressure will the treatment commence?

Treatment pressure is usually between 2 - 3 ATA, which is equivalent of 10 to 20 metres underwater. In some diving injuries, a much greater pressure may be required. 

Possible side effects

• Ear pain
• Sinus pain
• Tooth pain
• Temporary worsening of short sightness
• Progression of cataracts
• Burst lung
• Oxygen toxicity

Serious side effects are extremely rare.