Coast Guard Hyperbaric Medicine Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Preparation

The maximum depth for additional benefit in Treatment Table 4 is 165 feet. This depth is significant because it is at this level that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can yield the most effective therapeutic outcomes for certain conditions, specifically decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning.

At 165 feet, the atmospheric pressure is approximately 6.6 times greater than at sea level. This increased pressure allows for a greater amount of oxygen to dissolve into the bloodstream, improving oxygen delivery to tissues that may be compromised due to various medical conditions.

The choice of 165 feet as the optimum depth reflects a balance between the physiological responses achieved at higher pressures and the risks associated with deeper dives, such as oxygen toxicity and potential complications in managing patients effectively. Consequently, this depth is established to ensure the maximum therapeutic benefit while minimizing potential side effects associated with deeper hyperbaric treatments.

Understanding the specific advantages of this depth helps practitioners apply hyperbaric medicine more effectively in clinical scenarios.