2 ata hyperbaric chamber: what it means and how to choose

2 ATA represents the amount of pressure

Let’s first clarify what a value 2 ATA is. The full name of ATA here is atmospheres absolute, which is commonly referred to as “absolute pressure”. It is calculated using absolute vacuum as zero. One ATA is exactly one standard atmosphere (101.325 kPa). So, if you see a device labeled 2 ata hyperbaric chamber, or called hyperbaric chamber 2 ata, the meaning is actually very simple: this chamber can pressurize the absolute pressure inside to 2 atmospheres, which is 2.0 ATA.

It might be more intuitive to say the specific points. The absolute pressure of 2.0 ATA is approximately 202.65 kPa, which translates to about 29.39 psia. Normally, people often check the instrument “gauge pressure” (the number left after the pressure in the cabin is reduced by the atmospheric pressure outside). Under sea level standards, the gauge pressure of 2.0 ATA is about 14.70 psig. To put it bluntly, about 1 atmosphere of pressure was added to the original atmospheric pressure.

It’s very easy for people here to make misunderstandings. 2 ATA says there is an absolute pressure of 2 atmospheres “in total”, not an additional 2. At sea level, it simply adds an extra atmosphere of pressure. This is the same logic as the 1.5 ATA algorithm. Therefore, when looking at equipment parameters, you must always keep an eye on whether it is marked with ATA (absolute pressure), psia, or psig. These three cannot be confused.

What is the difference between it and 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 ATA

As soon as the pressure parameters change, the cabin structure basically needs a major overhaul. Take the MACY-PAN (Madis) product line that everyone is more familiar with. Their soft cabin uses flexible fabric and cannot withstand too high pressure. So whether you buy a soft cabin for single lying or sitting, the pressure limit is basically at the three gears of 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 ATA. If you search for 1.3 ata hyperbaric chamber, 1.4 ata hyperbaric chamber or 1.5 ata hyperbaric chamber on the market, you will actually find these types of software pods. Even if someone uses a different search method and uses hyperbaric chamber 1.5 ata or hyperbaric oxygen chamber 1.5 ata, they are still referring to this low-pressure fabric cabin.

What does it really look like to achieve 2.0 ATA? They are basically all hardware compartments. Only by using hard engineering materials such as stainless steel as the outer shell can it withstand such a large pressure difference. You find that no, the difference between 2 ATA and 1.5 ATA is not just the pressure value of 0.5, but also a watershed between “soft” and “hard”. But then again, high pressure doesn’t mean it’s absolutely good or absolutely safe. Which gear to choose depends on what you are buying it for and whether you have the conditions to store a hardware compartment at home.

Several different ways to write pressure

When looking up information online, the various ways of writing 2 ATA can definitely make people dizzy. There are those that say 2 atm hyperbaric chamber, there are those that say 2 atmosphere hyperbaric chamber, and there are even those that say hyperbaric chamber 2 atmospheres or hyperbaric chamber 2.0 atmospheres backwards. No matter how they change their names, just remember this: atm, atmosphere, and ATA can only be directly equated when the merchant explicitly states that this is “absolute pressure”. In case the seller reports “gauge pressure”, the absolute pressure calculated from the 2 atm gauge pressure has soared to 3 atmospheres, which is a huge difference between the two concepts.

In addition, if you encounter a type of person who simply writes a number without even a unit, you need to be more careful. For example, in the 2.0 hyperbaric chamber, there is no unit and no attributes are indicated. You have no idea whether this “2.0” refers to daily work stress, maximum limit or treatment stress. There is another type that likes to use psi as the unit, such as the hyperbaric chamber 12 psi, where 12 psi generally refers to the gauge pressure. We calculated that the gauge pressure of 2.0 ATA is about 14.7 psig. You’ll understand by comparing them this way: 12 psi is still far from the standard of 2.0 ATA. In short, if you see that it only writes psi, ask clearly whether it is psia or psig first, and then convert it with ATA after you understand it.

Then take MACY-PAN as an example. Everything they can get to 2.0 ATA is a hard shell. For example, the reclining cabin has a 2.0 ata hyperbaric chamber specification. The outer shell is made of medical-grade stainless steel and is available in three diameters: 75, 85, and 90 cm. If you’re afraid of boredom, there are also those with extra-large transparent windows, with a diameter of 90 or even 100 centimeters. If you prefer to stand upright, they have a single-seat cabin with an iron shell that is 96 cm wide, which is just the right width to push through the door of a regular room in your home. For example, the HE5000 series, whether it is a single cabin that people can walk into directly or a large cabin that can seat four people, is designed in accordance with the 2.0 ATA standard. The market calls them hyperbaric chamber 2.0 ata, or hyperbaric chamber 2 ata. They actually describe these kinds of strong, rigid ballast tanks.

In contrast, the limit of the soft compartment is 1.5 ATA. Don’t be fooled by some businesses packaging their names in a fancy way, with the word “2.0”, it won’t just become a hardware cabin out of thin air. So the next time you come across specifications like hyperbaric chamber 2.0 ata online, take a look at the cabin materials and pressure-bearing structure. Find out whether it is soft or hard, so as not to spend a lot of money and end up moving a low-voltage software cabin home as a 2.0 ATA hardware cabin.

2.0 Relationship between ATA and clinical hyperbaric oxygen

In true medical clinical circles, 2.0 ATA is a very hard threshold. There is now a strict medical definition of clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy: patients must enter a hard compartment that meets the dual national standards of pressure and fire protection, the pressure cannot be lower than 2.0 ATA, and the oxygen inhaled must be medical-grade pure oxygen. Treatment pressure in general hospitals is between 2.0 and 3.0 ATA. Therefore, only devices of this level, such as the 2.0 ata hyperbaric oxygen chamber or the hyperbaric oxygen chamber 2.0 ata, can be considered to have touched the edge of clinical standards in terms of hardware. As for the soft cloth cabins of 1.3 to 1.5 ATA, they cannot reach this line.

If we focus on the range of 2.0 to 3.0 ATA, even 2.4 ata hyperbaric chamber or 2.5 ata hyperbaric chamber can be considered a relatively intense treatment pressure, which usually requires a very strict clinical environment and professional medical staff to keep an eye on. However, don’t assume that the machine can hit 2.0 ATA; it should be a stage “clinical hyperbaric oxygen chamber”. This is not that simple. You also have to see whether it has a hardware structure, whether it can receive medical oxygen, whether it has passed relevant regulations, and whether there are professional personnel to manage it. All of these are indispensable.

What to pay attention to when purchasing and using

If you have already decided to buy the 2.0 ATA grade, be sure to ask about the pressure caliber and cabin material before paying. Don’t let a single ATA number replace all the parameters. In addition to the nominal pressure, you also need to check what the normal operating pressure is, what the maximum permissible pressure is, and whether the pressure relief valve is set to an unsafe value. Not only that, the hardware cabin is usually a complete set of large systems. All integrated units, air conditioners or high-efficiency cooling systems must be equipped. The installation requirements for the home are completely different from those for the software cabin.

When I got it home and started using it, I couldn’t press the hardware compartment of the 2.0 ATA blindly; I had to follow the instructions for the specific model honestly. When the machine is running, it’s best to have someone knowledgeable watching. Before entering the cabin, you cannot bring in any unlicensed electronic products or items that are prone to static electricity. It’s time to clean and inspect, and it’s time to conduct safety inspections. The ultimate goal of buying cabins is to clarify the pressure, identify the structure, understand the purpose, and finally determine the compliance status. After understanding all these points, the 2 ATA cabin you bought is not wasted money and you can use it with real confidence.