Types of hyperbaric chamber.
Hard-shell vs soft-shell. Monoplace vs multiplace. Acrylic vs steel. Walking chambers and home soft-shells. Six chamber categories explained — with what each does, what it costs, and which type R1SE Kelham runs for which protocol.
01
Hard-shellUp to 3.0 ATA (typically 2.0–2.4 in wellness)Monoplace acrylic hard-shell
Best for: Therapeutic-grade protocols. Trial-grade replication of the Hachmo / Hadanny / Efrati research doses.
The default hard-shell design in modern HBOT facilities. A single-occupancy clear acrylic tube, typically 2–2.5m long and roughly 80cm in diameter, mounted in a steel frame with end-caps. The acrylic gives full visibility — you can see out, the team can see in.
Oxygen delivery is via mask or hood inside the chamber. The chamber itself is pressurised with air (medical air, not pure oxygen), and you breathe 100% O₂ via the delivery system. This is the standard configuration in hospital HBOT units and high-spec wellness facilities.
Pressurisation is fast and controlled (typically 5–10 min), the acrylic is impressively quiet, and most members find the open visibility makes it the most comfortable hard-shell option for first-time hard-shell use.
Pros
- • Reaches full trial-grade pressures (2.0+ ATA)
- • Full visibility — least claustrophobic of the hard-shell designs
- • Clinically validated — the design used in most published HBOT trials
- • Controlled atmosphere (medical air, oxygen via mask) = lower fire-safety burden than pure-O₂ chambers
Cons
- • Requires a mask or hood (some members find this the harder part of first-time use)
- • Higher capital cost vs soft-shell — passed on in session pricing
- • Strict pre-session checklist (cotton clothing, no electronics, no makeup)
At R1SE Kelham
R1SE Kelham's hard-shell chamber is this design. Used for all sessions at 1.5 ATA and above.
02
Hard-shellUp to 3.0 ATAMonoplace steel hard-shell
Best for: Hospital and medical-grade HBOT for the 14 UHMS-approved indications.
The original monoplace design. A solid steel cylinder with a single porthole window. Used in hospital hyperbaric units for medical indications (carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, gas gangrene, wound and radiation injury management).
Mechanically the same idea as the acrylic version: single occupancy, pressurised with air, oxygen via mask. The steel construction is stronger, more fire-resistant, and certified to higher pressures than acrylic — but the limited visibility makes it noticeably more claustrophobic.
Wellness facilities almost never use steel monoplace chambers because the acrylic version is more comfortable for the user without sacrificing pressure capability.
Pros
- • Strongest pressure capability
- • Hospital-validated for the most demanding medical indications
- • Best fire-safety rating
Cons
- • Single porthole — significantly more claustrophobic than acrylic
- • Rare in wellness settings
- • Higher cost again vs acrylic
At R1SE Kelham
Not used at R1SE — we run acrylic monoplace for the user-comfort advantage.
03
Hard-shellUp to 6.0 ATA in some systemsMultiplace hard-shell
Best for: Hospital medical HBOT for the most demanding indications (severe decompression, gas gangrene, large burns).
Larger walk-in chambers that hold multiple patients plus medical staff. Used in major medical centres for treatments that require nurse or doctor presence during the session, or for groups of patients receiving simultaneous treatment.
Pressurised with air (like monoplace acrylic); patients breathe 100% O₂ via individual hoods. The multiplace design allows for direct nursing care, advanced monitoring, and the highest medical-grade pressures available.
Wellness facilities don't typically operate multiplace chambers — the build cost, certification burden, and staffing requirement make them appropriate only in clinical settings. The nearest UK multiplace units are at major NHS hyperbaric centres.
Pros
- • Highest pressure capability available
- • Allows nurse/doctor presence during treatment
- • Multiple patients per session = cost-effective per indication
Cons
- • Hospital-only; not available in wellness settings
- • Shared experience (less private)
- • Booking is via medical referral
At R1SE Kelham
Not available at R1SE. Multiplace chambers are appropriate only in major medical centres.
04
Soft-shell1.3 ATASoft-shell (mild HBOT, 1.3 ATA)
Best for: Entry-level HBOT, frequent-use sessions, recovery, sleep support, claustrophobic users, home use.
An inflatable envelope of heavy-duty fabric, typically 2m long and 80cm in diameter, with a zip entry. Common brands include Vitaeris, OxyHealth, Summit-to-Sea. Pressurised by a continuous-flow air pump that maintains the 1.3 ATA limit.
Oxygen is delivered as ambient enrichment via a concentrator (typically 90–95% O₂ mixed with chamber air to roughly 30% inside). No mask required — you breathe enriched air directly. This is the gentlest possible HBOT experience.
Soft-shells cannot mechanically reach pressures beyond 1.3 ATA — the inflatable structure has a hard pressure ceiling. This is why the headline RCT evidence (Hachmo, Hadanny, Efrati) at 2.0 ATA is not directly applicable to soft-shell HBOT. The benefits are real but smaller in magnitude.
Pros
- • Gentlest HBOT experience — best for first-timers and claustrophobic users
- • No mask required
- • Open structure feels less enclosed than hard-shells
- • Lower cost per session, faster setup
- • Home models available for sustained personal use
Cons
- • Cannot reach 2.0 ATA — the trial-grade RCT evidence is not at this dose
- • Slower pressurisation
- • Ongoing air-pump noise during the session
- • Limited to ambient O₂ enrichment (no mask delivery)
At R1SE Kelham
R1SE Kelham's soft-shell chamber is the standard wellness design. Used for all sessions at 1.3 ATA — especially intro sessions and frequent-use protocols.
05
Specialist1.3–2.0 ATAWalking / chair chambers
Best for: Specialist use cases — longer cognitive sessions, patients who can't lie flat, recovery facilities prioritising mobility.
A specialist hard-shell design where the chamber is large enough to sit upright in a chair, work on a laptop, or stand briefly. Common in higher-end longevity clinics and some research facilities. Same mechanical principles as monoplace acrylic, just with more internal volume.
Useful for members who can't comfortably lie flat for 90 minutes (back issues, recent surgery, pregnancy considerations under specific protocols) or for cognitive-performance sessions where the member wants to work during the session.
The upright option does come with trade-offs: larger footprint, higher cost, and the seating position is less restorative than lying flat. Most longevity-protocol members prefer lying-flat sessions for the recovery and sleep benefit.
Pros
- • Comfortable for those who can't lie flat
- • Possible to work or read in a more natural posture
- • Better for taller users in long sessions
Cons
- • Less restorative seating position
- • Higher cost per session
- • Larger physical footprint — rare in wellness facilities
At R1SE Kelham
Not currently at R1SE. Considered for future expansion based on member demand.
06
Specialist1.3 ATAHome soft-shell chambers
Best for: Long-term high-frequency use; protocols requiring more sessions than weekly studio visits can sustain.
Soft-shell home chambers (commonly Vitaeris 320, OxyHealth Solace, Summit-to-Sea Grand Dive) have a market in the longevity and biohacker communities. Capital cost ranges roughly £15,000–25,000 for a quality unit plus oxygen concentrator and installation.
Pros: unlimited sessions, full privacy, no scheduling, sustainable for protocols requiring 5+ sessions per week over multiple months. Cons: ceiling of 1.3 ATA (no access to trial-grade dose), self-screening for contraindications, no team supervision, ongoing oxygen concentrator and maintenance costs.
R1SE's view: home soft-shell makes sense for members who've completed a structured studio protocol, established their tolerance and response, and want to maintain or extend at a frequency the studio can't support. We don't sell chambers — but we're happy to advise on options.
Pros
- • Unlimited per-session use
- • Full privacy and scheduling control
- • Best per-session economics over time for high-volume use
Cons
- • Significant upfront cost
- • No professional supervision
- • Hard pressure ceiling at 1.3 ATA
- • Self-managed maintenance and oxygen-concentrator service
At R1SE Kelham
Not sold by R1SE, but we'll happily talk through options for members exploring home use.
Common questions
Two chambers. Match the protocol to the goal.
R1SE Kelham runs both acrylic hard-shell and soft-shell. Our team will recommend the right chamber for your protocol.
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