As outlined in the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) May 2025 Monthly Briefing, NBDHMT recently announced a new mandatory continuing education requirement for Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (CHTs) seeking recertification.
Starting September 1, 2025, all CHTs applying for recertification must complete a one-time mandatory education session focused on hyperbaric chamber codes and standards.
Session Overview
The one-time mandatory session consists of three presentations, offering a total of two hours of Category A continuing education credit:
- Codes and Standards for the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist
- Application of Codes and Standards for the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist
- Non-Code Compliant Hyperbaric Chambers
The session will be available in early July 2025 on the NBDHMT website (www.nbdhmt.org).
Background and Rationale
This update follows growing concerns about the presence and use of non-code compliant hyperbaric chambers in clinical settings. In previous Monthly Briefings, the NBDHMT noted that some of these chambers:
- Are manufactured without adherence to recognized standards like ASME BPVC and PVHO-1
- May enter the U.S. using falsified customs documentation
- Pose significant safety risks to both patients and operators
The June 2024 NBDHMT briefing mentioned a specific case in which a CHT trained lay personnel on a non-compliant chamber - leading to the revocation of their certification.
Key Questions Answered by the NBDHMT
In response to public feedback, the NBDHMT addressed technical questions in its September 2024 Briefing, including an overview of some of the Codes and Standards relevant to the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist:
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 'U' Stamp (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1): the U stamp certifies that a manufacturer meets the quality control requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) for unfired pressure vessels, namely one not subjected to direct or indirect heat sources such as coal, gas or oil-fired boilers. This means they are permitted to design, fabricate, inspect, and test unfired pressure vessels.
- ASME BPVC ‘National Board’ (NB) registration number: this registration number is also stamped onto the plate and is specific to the chamber (its ‘birth certificate’).
- The U stamp and NB number represent evidence that all quality control system requirements laid out by the ASME BPVC have been met.
- PVHO-1 Compliance (Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy): PVHO-1 compliance applies to pressure vessels for human occupancy, like submersibles, decompression chambers, and hyperbaric chambers. This standard ensures the vessels meet specific safety standards for human use.
- To claim PVHO-1 compliance, a chamber must first be compliant with the ASME BPVC. However, it is important to note that ASME compliance alone does not guarantee PVHO-1 compliance. One example would be a chamber manufactured prior to 1977, the year the PVHO-1 standard came into being.
- Evidence of compliance with the additional requirements of PVHO-1 is less apparent as it does not feature on the chamber’s ID plate. In recent years, PVHO-1 has shifted to a self-certification model, meaning a manufacturer may claim compliance without undergoing independent third-party inspection. As such, evidence of PVHO-1 compliance must be verified through documentation provided by the manufacturer.
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards, particularly NFPA 99, Chapter 14: the chamber must be maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and operated consistent with good practice standards by those qualified to do so. This extends to adherence with respective NFPA dictates.
What Should CHTs and Facility Leaders Do?
It would be important to:
- Review the May 2025, September 2024, and June 2024 NBDHMT Monthly Briefings on nbdhmt.org
- Plan ahead to complete the mandatory training if your recertification is due on or after September 1, 2025.
Staying current with regulatory standards is not just a requirement, but a key component of delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality hyperbaric care.
References
- https://nbdhmt.org/current-monthly-briefing/. Retrieved on 05/21/2025
- https://nbdhmt.org/monthly-briefing-archive/. Retrieved on 05/21/2025
About the Authors
Jeff Mize, RRT, CHT, UHMSADS
With over four decades of healthcare experience, Jeff currently holds the position of Principal Partner at Midwest Hyperbaric LLC and the Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Wound Reference.
Jeff has excelled in critical care throughout his career, devoting almost a decade as a Flight Respiratory Therapist/Paramedic for the Spirit of Kansas City Life Flight. In 1993, Jeff transitioned into the field of Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care, where he committed 21 years of his career to serving as the Program Director for a 24/7 Level 1 UHMS Accredited facility with Distinction. In this role, he continued to provide patient care while overseeing all administrative, clinical, and daily operations within the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Facility.
Jeff is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT). He has also undergone training as a UHMS Safety Director and a UHMS Facility Accreditation Surveyor.
Jeff currently serves as a member of the UHMS Accreditation Council, the UHMS Accreditation Forum Expert Panel, and the UHMS Safety Committee. Additionally, he is an esteemed member of the NFPA 99 Hyperbaric and Hypobaric Facilities Technical Standards Committee.
Jeff's dedication to the field has earned him numerous prestigious awards. In 2010, he received the Gurnee Award, which honored his outstanding contributions to undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Three years later, in 2013, he was awarded the Paul C. Baker Award for his commitment to Hyperbaric Oxygen Safety Excellence. Most recently, in 2020, Jeff was honored with "The Associates Distinguished Service Award (UHMSADS)," a recognition reserved for exceptional Associate members of the Society who have demonstrated exceptional professionalism and contributions deserving of the highest accolades.
