Need some input

TKDLady · 09-15-2006, 12:42 PM

Most of you know I started here because of my friend whose son nearly drown a little over a year ago. Well, once Michael was home from the rehab center, Dave, his father, got him into Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments (HBOT) which is one recommended treatment for his type of brain injury. It did seem to be helping but it is very expensive so Dave was only able to pay for one set of treatments. He is now looking into building his own HBOT chamber and has asked me to help him research possible building materials. I have searched and searched and come up with a few things but the most promising is large diameter pvc pipe. The problem is I haven't been able to find too many sites with this type of material. I also need to find endcaps for it if he is to use it. The material for the main chamber must be able to withstand a pressure rating of 14 psi. If anyone has information on pvc or any other type of object that could hold an adult size person please let me know. I am running out of ideas to search for and it would be best if it is easily obtainable and inexpensive. Preferably something you could find in your home town. He is also thinking of building a small room that he can use for this purpose but he still needs the right kind of wall treatments. This chamber uses pure oxygen under pressure. Thanks for any and all help.

Star · 09-16-2006, 04:19 PM

I wish i could help but i have no idea about these things. one question i do have. is a pvc pipe used for plumbing?

Luba · 09-16-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star

I wish i could help but i have no idea about these things. one question i do have. is a pvc pipe used for plumbing?

My husband, who works for a Building Supply Company, says PVC is for water line, ABS is for plumbing..

Star · 09-16-2006, 04:56 PM

ok thanks luba. my dad's a plumber/pipefitter and i've always heard those two things mentioned. just didn't know which was for what. LOL

TKDLady · 09-16-2006, 05:00 PM

Dave is trying to find parts that will hold up under the pressure necessary and with the use of the Oxygen. PVC or ABS pipe might do the trick for the main body of the chamber. I am just researching the parts. Dave has to make them work. He mentioned PVC pipe. I was just hoping someone knew where I could find pipe that was at least 30 inches in diameter, large enough to fit a body into. Thanks for at least reading this.

Star · 09-16-2006, 05:32 PM

maybe try and find a supplier that sells these parts. I wish i could be of more help.

Duke · 09-17-2006, 01:52 AM

Are there any medical supply companies in your area because I'm sure they could help you find all the info you need in a very short period of time?

TKDLady · 09-17-2006, 11:06 AM

I haven't checked with them. They could probably direct me to an actual HBOT chamber but Dave can't afford one of those. I doubt they would be able to give me a parts list with supporting vendors. I have checked with online medical supplies places and found some things just not the main body of the chamber. I will keep digging. Thanks, Duke.

Vautrin · 09-17-2006, 11:10 AM

You can always inform with a company that sells the regular stuff - even though it is not big enough for the main chamber. Even if they don't sell it, if you explain why you are interested in that, you may get a lot of sympathy and things done.

TKDLady · 09-17-2006, 11:15 AM

Thanks Vautrin. I will keep that in mind and if I have the opportunity I will see what I can get out of them.

Merika · 09-18-2006, 09:18 PM

14 psi is alot of pressure. We use 15 psi to blow/suck out tanks as needed on the ship and on the pier. Let me go goof around and see if I can find anything...even though I'm not getting a clear picture of what you are describing. Are you talking about a chamber that can withstand 14 psi that a person would be in?

Merika · 09-18-2006, 09:28 PM

This is about a FOUR psi which would make more sense.

These rent at $50 a day.
http://www.performance-hyperbarics.com/

Here is a better explanation and video - there are several portable models.
http://www.oxyhealth.com/Index.htm

It doesn't seem to me that one could be made because it has to pass inspection before the oxygen needed could be purchased. But if you could, then it looks like welding a couple of bathtubs together, along with the canvas and adequate intake nozzle should work. I just don't know because you would really have to know what you are doing.

TKDLady · 09-18-2006, 10:09 PM

Dave feels confident that he can build something. I am looking for the main body of this chamber. Naval decompression chambers are an example. I tried to get some info from the Navy base in Pensacola about using theirs but didn't hear from them. Besides, Dave can't drive to Pensacola every day. The hyperbaric chamber Michael was in went to 1.5 to 2 atmospheres which I think is around 14 psi. I haven't checked it for sure but that is what Dave said. They do make inflatable chambers which are at 4 psi but Dave said it wasn't enough. I have thought of putting two tubs together. Dave found a deep freezer, about 6' long that he considered. He doesn't have the money to buy a real one nor does he have the time to go elsewhere for the 40 plus treatments necessary.