Air Chamber Operations for Offshore

Chamber Operations is a specialised training component within the commercial diving programme, preparing you to operate recompression chambers safely during diving and treatment operations. It develops the knowledge and operational understanding required to manage chamber procedures, apply treatment processes correctly, and respond appropriately to emergencies and unplanned events in line with recognised safety standards and South African commercial diving regulations.

In South Africa’s Commercial Diving Regulations (May 2022), the chamber operator is defined as the Recompression Chamber Operator—a competent person registered to operate an occupied air diving chamber. This module builds your understanding of pressure vessels for human occupancy, chamber components and safety systems, gas and oxygen supply procedures, and the safe monitoring and management of occupants during therapeutic recompression and decompression-related treatment.

You will learn correct procedures for chamber preparation and documentation, briefing chamber occupants, locking personnel in and out, operating BIBS systems safely, managing oxygen breathing periods, recognising oxygen toxicity, applying treatment tables, and maintaining chamber hygiene and decontamination standards. Scenario-based activities and assessments reinforce decision-making, safety discipline, and consistent operational readiness.

Key areas covered include:

• Chamber systems, PVHO requirements, and safety standards

• Chamber roles, responsibilities, and regulatory expectations

• Valves, locks, gas supply systems, oxygen systems, and testing procedures

• Fire safety, contamination control, and operational monitoring

• Oxygen safety, oxygen toxicity, and BIBS use

• Decompression illness, treatment tables, and chamber procedures

• Documentation, preparation, and briefing of occupants

• Tender change-outs, medical lock operations, and emergency procedures

• Chamber hygiene, decontamination, and good housekeeping

By the end of this module, you will be able to prepare and operate a recompression chamber safely, manage occupant briefing and monitoring requirements, apply correct oxygen and treatment gas procedures, follow treatment tables and operational rules, maintain documentation and hygiene standards, and respond effectively to emergencies during chamber operations.