Hyperbaric chamber launching a blessing for recreational and commercial divers 

The recent launching of a state-of-the-art Hyperbaric Chamber at Fiji’s largest private hospital – Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) Hospitals will greatly benefit members of the general public particularly those based in the Western Division, the outer islands and the diving fraternity of Fiji including thousands of tourists who visit our shores to explore our beautiful ocean, reefs and rich marine life on display.

Speaking at the launching of the Hyperbaric Chamber Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) services at the Nadi based 100-bed specialty hospital on Tuesday December 31, PSH Hospitals founder and chief executive officer Parvish Kumar said the new facilities will benefit a wider range of people by being based at this strategic location in Nadi right opposite the Nadi International Airport.

Mr Kumar said since similar services were already present at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) hospital in Suva, PSH Hospitals worked hard to bring the services closer to the Western Division.

While generally Hyperbaric Chambers are used by divers to treat decompression sickness, also known as the bends, and to make decompression stop, it is also used for medical purposes and can reduce the risk of amputations for patients who develop wounds that do not seem to heal on time due to lack of oxygen flow.

“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can help reduce the risk of amputation by increasing the amount of oxygen in the patient’s blood and tissues,” Mr Kumar informed.

He said PSH Hospitals is excited with the introduction of this recent development as this would bring about the much needed and timely services in the Western Division.

“The HBOT services will also reduce the risk of permanent paralysis amongst local divers who harvest sea cucumbers,” Mr Kumar said.

“Our local divers who harvest sea cucumbers are often victims of the system as they do not have other lucrative income options. Unfortunately, many of them engage in bad diving practices resulting in lifelong illnesses.

“The risk of lifelong paralysis and bedridden conditions can now be avoided following the commissioning of the HBOT facilities in Nadi.”

Dr Vereniki Raiwalui at the Pacific Specialist Healthcare hospital in Legalega Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Meanwhile, The Fiji Times reported in April of 2013, that “over the past eight-years, 18 villagers from Naviti died from the use of UBAs (Underwater Breathing Apparatus) while more than 12 developed partial paralysis.”

An article written by Dr Paddy Ryan which featured in The Fiji Times Online on November 13, 2022 also made several shocking revelations on the plight of sea cucumber divers in the country.

“Filling scuba tanks and taking dive courses is a hassle, so they buy hookah sets and this is where the problem arises,” the article stated.

Hookah, according to the article, uses a surface-based compressor that pumps air down to the diver.

“No longer limited by the one tank of air and without necessary training, divers stay down until they are too cold to continue,” the article further stated.

“Not only do the sea cucumber stocks become depleted but more tragically, divers often become afflicted with “bends” that can lead to paralysis and death. Fiji has a terrible record with regard to this.”

– by Shalendra Prasad, a freelance photojournalist based in Nadi, Fiji