Mild (Soft) vs. Hard Hyperbaric Chamber
"Hyperbaric" covers everything from inflatable bags to hospital-grade vessels. The pressure — and the oxygen dose — is the whole difference.
| Mild / soft chamber (1.3 ATA) | Hard clinical chamber (2.0–3.0 ATA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Up to 1.3 ATA | 2.0–3.0 ATA |
| Gas | Usually compressed air | 100% oxygen |
| Oxygen dose | A fraction of clinical HBOT | The dose studied in the medical literature |
| Typical use | Wellness / recovery marketing | The FDA-recognized indications |
| Supervision | Often none | Physician-screened, technician-monitored |
Our honest take
Soft chambers can be a fine wellness product, but they are not equivalent to clinical HBOT and shouldn't be sold as treatment for medical conditions. Always ask a facility two questions: what pressure, and what gas.
Educational comparison. Not medical advice. Talk to a qualified physician about your situation. · View source