A plain-English guide
What a hyperbaric session is, what the numbers mean, and how to choose the right chamber for your practice or home.
What hyperbaric means
A hyperbaric chamber is a sealed space where the air pressure is raised above normal. Guests rest inside while the chamber is gently pressurized, typically breathing concentrated oxygen through a mask or headset, then the pressure is slowly brought back down. The whole session usually takes about an hour.
In hospitals, clinical hyperbaric medicine is used under physician supervision, at higher pressures and with medical oxygen, for a specific list of FDA-cleared conditions. ARK Chambers are not offered for those uses. They are offered for general wellness: rest, recovery and a quiet, unhurried hour.
What ATA means
Pressure is measured in atmospheres absolute, or ATA. At sea level you are at 1.0 ATA. Every additional 1.0 ATA is roughly the pressure you feel 33 feet under water.
| Pressure | Feels like | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| 1.3–1.5 ATA | About 10–16 feet under water | Soft-shell chambers, such as the ARK Flex line |
| 2.0 ATA | About 33 feet under water | Hard-shell chambers, such as the ARK Solo, Solo Tube and Duo |
| Up to 3.0 ATA | About 66 feet under water | Clinical and large multiplace chambers, under professional supervision |
Soft shell or hard shell
- Zippered, reinforced fabric chamber on an internal frame
- About 1.3–1.5 ATA
- Runs from a standard outlet; lighter and movable
- Lower price and the simplest installation
- ARK Flex, Flex Seat and Flex Access
- Rigid steel or composite pressure vessel
- Up to 2.0 ATA in our collection
- Quieter compressors, touchscreen controls, larger windows
- Delivered and installed by our team, with staff training
- ARK Solo Tube, Duo, Solo and Light, plus the walk-in Lounge, Lounge XL and Sanctuary
What a session is like
- Settle inGuests change into comfortable cotton clothing, leave phones and electronics outside, and lie back or take a seat.
- Gentle pressurizationOver several minutes the pressure rises. Ears feel full, like a plane coming in to land; swallowing or yawning clears them.
- The hourAt pressure, guests rest, read, listen or sleep beneath the Night Canopy, with climate control and an intercom on hard-shell models.
- Slow returnPressure comes down gradually. Most guests step out relaxed and carry on with their day.
How to choose
- Who will use it. A first chamber for a practice is often a seated model, which first-time clients find most comfortable.
- Lying or seated. Lying chambers suit longer, restful sessions; seated chambers suit reading, conversation and quick turnover.
- Mobility. If you serve older or mobility-limited clients, the roll-in ARK Flex Access is built for you.
- Pressure. Soft shell for an accessible entry; 2.0 ATA hard shell for a premium, quieter, more substantial experience.
- Space and power. Measure the room and doorway, and photograph your electrical panel. We confirm the rest at the site check.
- Budget. Leasing spreads the cost into a monthly line you can set against session revenue.
Safety basics
- Guests should speak with their physician before starting, especially with ear, sinus or lung concerns, or during pregnancy.
- Nothing that can spark or burn goes inside: no phones, electronics, lighters, lotions, oils or aerosols. Wear cotton.
- Never smoke or allow open flame near the chamber or oxygen equipment.
- Equalize the ears during pressurization, and stop the session if anything feels uncomfortable.
- Follow the manufacturer’s operating guide, keep a trained staff member present for hard-shell sessions, and supervise children at all times.
- Hard-shell chambers are offered to clinics and qualified professionals and should be used under professional guidance where required.