The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
applicable Australian Standards for work in compressed air and hyperbaric oxygen facilities
basic structure and internal layout of a hyperbaric chamber
common dive tables for hyperbaric treatment and their indications
common treatment profiles for hyperbaric therapy and their indications
conditions indicated and contraindicated for hyperbaric therapy treatment and the mechanisms of therapeutic benefit for each
educational resources and professional organisations associated with hyperbaric therapy
emergencies associated with the hyperbaric chamber and treatment including:
fire inside the chamber
fire outside the chamber
emergency decompression
explosive decompression
uncontrolled compression
power failure
communication failure
chamber atmospheric contamination
isolation emergency including actual or potential violence
pneumothorax
cardiac arrest and airway management
hypoglycaemia
oxygen toxicity (central nervous system and pulmonary)
hyperbaric chamber treatment including:
the chamber and sequence of events that occur during a treatment
how to observe air equalisation techniques
strategies for managing an anxious patient during hyperbaric treatment
prohibited items in the chamber
appropriate clothing for treatments
potential complications
location of main oxygen valve and how to shut it off when required
how to maintain hyperbaric chamber cleanliness
emergency procedures for fire and medical emergencies
symptoms of hyperbaric CNS toxicity and appropriate actions in response to the symptoms
indications for hyperbaric therapy including:
decompression sickness
carbon monoxide poisoning
smoke inhalation
osteoradionecrosis
selected wound healing
mixed non aerobic and aerobicinfections
air or gas embolism
osteomyelitis (refractory)
gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis)
soft tissue radionecrosis
crush injuries/compartment syndromes
compromised skin grafts/flaps
thermal burns
blood loss
some spider bites
legislative requirements for practice
potential complications of hyperbaric therapy including:
cardiac arrest and airway management
hypoglycaemia
oxygen toxicity (central nervous system and pulmonary)
isolation emergency including actual or potential violence
pneumothorax
claustrophobia
sinus or dental barotrauma
lung barotrauma
physiological effects of increased atmospheric pressure on the human body and of breathing 100 per cent oxygen (hyper oxygenation), helium or mixed gases under hyperbaric conditions
rationale for annual staff hyperbaric medicals
contraindications for hyperbaric therapy including:
pulmonary function tests
tissue perfusion tests
excessive alcohol intake
dehydration
asthma
anxiety states or claustrophobia
dental work in the previous 24 hours
strenuous exercise before (and after) therapy
flying within 24 hours of treatment (staff and water divers only)
anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology related to hyperbaric issues, sufficiently in-depth and specialised to make considered judgements and to make professional contributions to hyperbaric nursing care
specific procedures for identifying people with diabetes and others who have a pre-procedure blood sugar outside normal range
special considerations for children, infants and babies
theories of physics as they relate to hyperbaric treatments including:
Boyle’s law
Charles’s law
Henry’s law
Dalton’s law.