HBOT…What’s That?
Rendering of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber that will be located on the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse campus.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the controlled use of pressure and oxygen to heal the body’s damaged tissues and cells. The therapy involves breathing 100% (pure) oxygen while in a hyperbaric chamber. The pressure is increased during the “dive,” the term used for each session spent in the chamber, with a typical treatment being 40 total dives.
Mission43 has been utilizing HBOT over the past two years for members participating in Operation Resilient Path (ORP), Mission43’s program for veterans and first responders with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), and substance abuse issues. The results have been significant enough that we prioritized having our own HBOT facility, now called Summit Hyperbarics & Wellness, on-site at the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse campus for members of Mission43 and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Eligible veterans, first responders, and adaptive athletes who typically qualify for treatment have suffered from injuries and trauma related to repeat exposures to blasts or chronic pain from a life-changing injury. Many of those supported by Operation Resilient Path have seen immediate quality of life improvements ranging from improved sleep to longer-term pain relief and healing. In addition, many have shared that they have been able to stop using prescribed medications they have relied on for years. We have seen the impact firsthand and want to make this more accessible to the members of Mission43 and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Summit Hyperbarics & Wellness will be led by a Medical Doctor and have a psychologist on staff, in addition to a dive supervisor and dive technicians to manage the two state-of-the-art hyperbaric chambers. The life-changing work they will be doing for veterans, first responders, and adaptive athletes will be a key part of the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse. Over the coming year, we will introduce you to the incredible team at Summit, the build progress of the HBOT facility, and the hyperbaric chamber installation!
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is new to many people, and you might be interested in learning more. Here are a few resources to get started:
Mayo Clinic video podcast with the former Medical Director of their Hyperbaric and Altitude Medicine Program
Research study by Israel’s Shamir Medical Center on the impact of HBOT on PTSD
ESPN “Out of Thin Air” article with Joe Namath
If you think you or someone you know could use support related to TBI, Post Traumatic Stress, or substance abuse, please reach out to the Mission43 team here at Operation Resilient Path.
