The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday, Sept. 14, that it spearheaded a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) training for its personnel to equip them with basic knowledge on hyperbaric and diving medicines.
Led by the PCG Nurse Service, the training involved 25 PCG personnel and commenced onboard BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) at the PCG headquarters in Port Area Manila. The training started last Sept. 12 and will last for 10 days.
Accordingly, HBOT is often used to treat decompression sickness which is a potential risk of scuba diving as well as gas gangrene and carbon monoxide poisoning.
HBOT involves the breathing of medical grade oxygen in a pressurized chamber where ambient pressure around the body is increased to up to three times higher than the normal air pressure, enabling the patient’s lungs and red blood cells to absorb more oxygen, according to HBOT Philippines.
The blood will then carry the oxygen to the organs and tissues in the body to stimulate capillary growth, enhancing the white blood cells’ ability to fight infection and health disorders and promoting healing in problematic wounds, the HBOT Philippines added.
Lt. Senior Grade Joseph Romero, a certified hyperbaric and diving physician, serves as the instructor of the students from the Coast Guard Nursing Service, BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), Coast Guard Medical Service, and Coast Guard Special Operations Force. There were also representatives from the Philippine Navy (PN).
The training covers the fundamentals of hyperbaric and diving medicines, including basic recompression and decompression chamber operations and maintenance.
“The HBOT training places special technical and knowledge-based skills that produces more competent personnel in the field of hyperbaric medicine practice,” the PCG said.
“Indeed, stepping into this little-known specialty defines unique challenging role for the personnel and will provide an unmatched opportunity in providing life-saving therapy with close patient interaction,” it noted.