The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber is an emergency facility for the treatment of scuba diving accidents. Located at the USC Philip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, the hyperbaric chamber is available for patients suffering from decompression sickness (the "bends") and air embolism. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to permanent disability or even death.

Often, effective treatment of diving problems hinges on a rapid medical response. The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber's location in a major water recreation area makes it ideal for diving accidents. Furthermore, the Los Angeles County Baywatch Lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard are trained to manage the scene of a diving incident and deliver victims to the hyperbaric chamber as quickly as possible. These factors contribute to the Chamber's ability to save a diver's life.

The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber is 24 feet long, 9 1/2 feet in diameter and has two locks. The size of the Chamber allows the possibility of treating multiple patients simultaneously (to date, the maximum number of patients treated simultaneously is four) and allows room to perform CPR and Advanced Life Support for patients who arrive in cardiac arrest. The Chamber facility is an extension of the L.A. County/USC Medical Center Emergency Room and is part of the countywide Medical Alert Center (MAC). Funding for the Chamber comes from L.A. County and donations from dive clubs, dive boat operators, fund raising activities and other generous contributors.

More detailed information on the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber Program can be found in the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber Web Pages.