In February of 1987, I (Mike Bessette ~ member of WVO) was injured, almost to the point of death, while doing some archaeological scuba diving in Warm Mineral Springs, Florida. There was no clear diagnosis. Some say it was an air embolism others say it was the bends. Regardless, I spent three months in the hospital first to mitigate a bubble in my spine and finally rehabilitation in a hospital.
While being treated at UF Shands Hospital, Gainesville I underwent 156 hours in a Hyperbaric Chamber. It consisted of 8 hours a day for 19.5 days. There is no conclusive evidence that these treatments saved my life. However, 29 years later I’m still around to inform you of the following.
Science and medicine have come light years since 1987. Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) is now being applied to numerous rehabilitative activities. It enhances the body’s natural healing process by inhalation of 100% oxygen in a total body chamber, where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled. It’s most common use up to this point is “wound healing” and decompression sickness.
Approximately two (2) years ago some very innovative doctors began experimenting on returning war veterans with successful results. Did they apply this to “wound therapy?” YES but not in a conventional sense. They looked closely into the healing process of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They quickly realized there was a direct correlation to HBOT and TBI improvement. HBOT enhanced the body’s “natural” healing process in the brain.
We need to acknowledge Bob Stone and his contribution by bringing this to us.
Ray Cralle and I (Bob Stone) enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1963 “The Buddy System”. We have known each other since grade school. By way of this introduction, Ray is one of the leading authorities in the United States using Hyperbaric Therapy for concussive injury and PTSD issues. The WVO wants you to be aware of this “outside the box” recently developed procedures. Attached are two (2) links (one above, one below). PLEASE take the time to view. As of this writing, we have not confirmed but believe Murphy Medical Center possess a Hyperbaric Chamber. We will explore it further and advise.
