Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: questions people ask before a first session

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy means breathing oxygen inside a chamber pressurised above normal atmospheric pressure. At higher pressure more oxygen dissolves into the blood plasma than it can at sea level. Hospitals use it for specific conditions such as decompression illness and carbon monoxide poisoning. Outside medicine it is offered as a recovery and wellbeing session, which is what Renoo2 provides.

For the conditions it is licensed for, hyperbaric oxygen is established medicine, delivered in hospital chambers under medical direction. For sports recovery and general wellbeing the published research is still developing, so Renoo2 describes its sessions as exactly what they are: pressurised oxygen sessions designed to support recovery and wellbeing. The pressure, the oxygen and the supervision are all measurable, and how a session fits your routine is your call, and your clinician's if you have one.

Atmospheres absolute: the total pressure including the atmosphere. Sea level is 1.0 ATA. 10 metres under water is 2.0 ATA. The Renoo2 chamber runs at up to 2.0 ATA, set by the operator for each block.

They are different things. An oxygen bar supplies oxygen at normal pressure. A hyperbaric chamber raises the pressure, and the pressure is what lets more oxygen dissolve into the plasma.

A 90-minute slot. That includes 10 to 15 minutes of pressurisation, around an hour at pressure breathing oxygen through a mask, and about 10 minutes of decompression. Check-in opens 10 minutes before your slot for the briefing.

The pressure change is felt in your ears, like a plane coming in to land. You clear it by swallowing, yawning or gently blowing against a pinched nose. At pressure it feels like sitting in a quiet, air-conditioned cabin. The oxygen mask is light and you can take it off to talk or drink.

There is a screen in the chamber, and room for a book. The operator confirms which personal electronics come inside under the manufacturer's rules.

Seats face each other along the cabin and are booked individually. Each block has its own time: training groups, wellness customers and quiet sessions are booked separately, and you can book a whole session for your own group.

A trained Renoo2 operator, outside the chamber for the whole session, watching through the windows and talking to you over the intercom. The operator can bring the chamber back to surface at any time.

Comfortable clothing in cotton or natural fibres; gym kit is ideal. Skin and hair free of oil-based lotions, hair products and make-up on the day, and lighters, matches, hand warmers and vapes stay in the locker.

That is up to you. Many regular customers book the same slot each week and some train around 2 sessions a week for a block. Our packages are built for that pattern.

Yes. Most people feel relaxed and carry on with their day. Some feel pleasantly tired for an hour or so afterwards, which is normal.

Hyperbaric chambers run safely every day in hospitals and clinics when the equipment is maintained, the operator is trained and customers are screened. Renoo2 runs to the manufacturer's protocols, screens every customer before their first session, keeps a trained operator outside throughout, and pauses or ends a session the moment there is any doubt. The most common side effect is ear discomfort from the pressure change.

Most adults, after a 2-minute screening. A small number of conditions mean a session is best left for now: an untreated collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or known air trapping, certain chemotherapy medicines (doxorubicin, bleomycin, cisplatin) or disulfiram, recent ear or sinus surgery or a current ear, sinus or chest infection, a fever, and pregnancy unless your consultant has agreed in writing. Sessions are for adults aged 18 and over.

People with heart conditions or implanted devices, lung conditions such as COPD or asthma that is hard to control, epilepsy, diabetes, recent eye surgery or cataracts, anyone recovering from an operation or injury who wants the session to sit alongside their care, and anyone with a neurological condition. Full list on the screening page.

The Renoo2 chamber is a hard shell with luxury seating, windows along both sides, a screen, lighting and an intercom, and you can see the operator throughout. Most people who worry about confined spaces are fine once inside, and you can pause or stop the session at any time.

Renoo2 sessions are for adults aged 18 and over.

Better to move your booking to a day you can clear your ears comfortably, because a blocked nose or ears makes equalising hard work. Your operator checks with you on the day and rebooks you free of charge the first time.

Renoo2 sessions are wellbeing sessions rather than treatment for any condition. Someone with a long-term condition is welcome to attend as a wellbeing activity when their care team agree: our quiet daytime blocks are set up for it, with carer access and extra time. Screening applies and we ask for the care team's view in writing.

£95 for a standard session at the rate from opening. Book an early access space and your first 4 sessions are only £71.25 each (£285 for 4, 25% off), with the £10 that books your space coming off your first session. A 10-session package is £750 (£75 each). Prices include VAT.

Booking your space before we open in your town. £10 books your space and comes off your first session, and you get 25% off your first 4 sessions (£71.25 a session instead of £95, £95 saved), hear the host venue first and get first pick of session times when booking opens. Places are released in waves and the first release is open now. Book your space.

January 2027, first to early bookers, who choose their times first, then to everyone. Book a space and you hear the host venue and the timetable before the calendar opens.

An early access space is personal to the named person, because the early access rate is held for their first 4 sessions. You can book a space in a friend's name with their agreement, and they complete screening themselves.

Yes. A training group or club squad can take a whole session. Clubs and venues can also host a Renoo2 chamber or install one of their own. See the sports clubs page.

In your town. Renoo2 is a mobile service for towns across the UK, starting with Bolton (Horwich and Middlebrook), Warrington (Stockton Heath and Appleton) and Southport and Formby in January 2027, each with a host venue and a regular timetable. Carlisle is coming by demand and the next towns are chosen the same way. Search by postcode.

Book a space and you hear the venue as soon as the agreement is signed, before it goes on the website, with directions and parking details. Venue agreements for the January 2027 opening are being finalised now.

Yes, when enough people ask. Every new town starts from the demand map, and the towns with the most registrations open next. Register your town and you hear first when it is scheduled.

Yes. Host venues are chosen with parking and easy access in mind, and directions and parking details come with the venue announcement.