How quickly must a Level II Chamber be accessible in the event of a casualty?

The requirement for a Level II Chamber to be accessible within one hour in the event of a casualty is grounded in the critical nature of treating decompression sickness and other dive-related emergencies. Decompression sickness can manifest rapidly following a dive, and the efficacy of treatment often diminishes significantly the longer the victim waits to receive hyperbaric therapy.

Having the chamber accessible within one hour ensures that divers have the best chance of recovery and minimizes the risk of severe complications associated with delayed treatment. This time frame is established based on industry standards and best practices in dive medicine, emphasizing the importance of prompt access to medical resources following a diving incident.

Timely access to a hyperbaric chamber, as outlined, helps to stabilize the condition of the diver, facilitate rapid assessment and intervention, and support optimal outcomes, reinforcing the critical nature of immediate response capabilities in underwater operations.