Motus Aquaticus

Below is a list of facilities in Florida known to have hyperbaric chambers capable of treating decompression sickness (DCS) as of March 21, 2025. This list is compiled based on available public information from reputable sources like the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), Divers Alert Network (DAN), and facility websites. Note that not all hyperbaric facilities treat DCS—some focus solely on wound care or other conditions—so I’ve prioritized those with emergency DCS capabilities or a history of treating divers. Availability can change due to staffing, funding, or policy shifts, so always call ahead to confirm.

Hyperbaric Chambers for Decompression Sickness in Florida

South Florida

1. Baptist Health Mariners Hospital
   • Location: Tavernier (Florida Keys), 91500 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070
   • Details: Offers 24/7 emergency hyperbaric treatment for DCS. Part of Baptist Health South Florida, with a multiplace chamber for multiple patients. Historically serves Keys divers.
   • Contact: (305) 434-3000
2. Hyperbaric Centers of Florida
   • Location: Clearwater, 5610 W La Salle St, Tampa, FL 33607
   • Details: Private facility with monoplace and multiplace chambers (up to 3 ATA). Treats FDA-approved conditions like DCS and select off-label cases. Open 7 days a week.
   • Contact: (813) 545-8460
3. Hyperbaric Medical Solutions (HMS) – Fort Lauderdale
   • Location: 2860 W State Rd 84, Suite 108, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
   • Details: Features three monoplace chambers. Known for treating DCS emergencies, with staff experienced in dive medicine (e.g., Dr. Gregory Alfred).
   • Contact: (954) 507-0210

Central Florida

4. Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center – Orlando
   • Location: 7932 W Sand Lake Rd, Suite 108, Orlando, FL 32819
   • Details: Private center with monoplace Sechrist chambers. Treats DCS among other conditions; emphasizes safety and patient care.
   • Contact: (407) 530-5757
5. Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center – New Smyrna Beach
   • Location: 225 N Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
   • Details: Sister facility to Orlando location, with similar monoplace chambers and DCS treatment capability.
   • Contact: (386) 423-0570
6. National Hyperbaric – Dr. Allan Spiegel
   • Location: 2875 US-19, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
   • Details: Private facility offering HBOT for DCS and other conditions. Uses monoplace chambers; founded by a physician with a focus on healing.
   • Contact: (727) 787-7077

North Florida

7. UF Health Shands Hospital
   • Location: 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608
   • Details: Academic medical center with a hyperbaric program. Treats acute conditions like DCS; has monoplace chambers and 24/7 emergency access.
   • Contact: (352) 265-0111

Panhandle

8. Springhill Medical Center (Mobile, AL – Serving Florida Panhandle)
   • Location: 3719 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL 36608 (near Pensacola, FL)
   • Details: Closest DCS-capable facility for the Florida Panhandle after local options like Baptist Hospital (Pensacola) stopped treating divers. Multiplace chamber, 24/7 emergency service. Travel time from Pensacola: ~1 hour.
   • Contact: (251) 344-9630

Additional Notes

• Historical Context: Facilities like Baptist Hospital in Pensacola and Sacred Heart Hospital once treated DCS but shifted to wound care only by 2010-2017 due to cost and liability (per DAN and local reports). This leaves the Panhandle underserved, often requiring transport to Mobile.
• Closed or Limited Options: The NOAA hyperbaric facility in Miami (Virginia Key) operated in the 1970s-80s but is no longer active. Some chambers (e.g., Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach) focus on wound care, not DCS.
• UHMS Accredited Facilities: Check the UHMS Chamber Directory (uhms.org) for updates—accredited sites like Mariners and UF Health are reliable for DCS.

Caveats

• Availability: Emergency DCS treatment requires 24/7 staffing and physician oversight, which not all facilities maintain. Rural areas and the Panhandle are particularly limited.
• Verification: Call ahead—policies shift, and some centers may refuse divers due to insurance or staffing constraints (e.g., InDEPTH 2023 reported declining DCS access).
• DAN Hotline: For real-time help, contact Divers Alert Network at (919) 684-9111—they track active chambers and can coordinate transport.

This list reflects current knowledge, but the landscape’s fluid—facilities open, close, or pivot focus. If you’re diving in Florida, plan your emergency action with these in mind, especially near popular sites like the Keys or the Oriskany wreck.