The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) is a professional medical organization dedicated to the research, development, and advancement of undersea and hyperbaric medicine. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of divers and individuals in hyperbaric environments, the society focuses on education, scientific exploration, and promoting best practices in this specialized field.
Undersea medicine primarily deals with the health and safety implications for divers and individuals who work or live in pressurized environments underwater. It involves the study and management of various conditions, such as decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, and oxygen toxicity, that may arise due to exposure to increased atmospheric pressure while diving or in a hyperbaric chamber.
Hyperbaric medicine, on the other hand, involves the therapeutic use of increased atmospheric pressure to help treat a variety of medical conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a widely recognized treatment modality, involves administering 100% oxygen at pressures greater than sea level to patients inside a hyperbaric chamber. It has proven efficacy in several conditions, including non-healing wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, and radiation injury, among others.
As a leading professional society in this field, the UHMS facilitates collaboration among medical professionals, researchers, and educators interested in undersea and hyperbaric medicine. It conducts regular conferences, workshops, and training programs to disseminate knowledge, promote clinical guidelines, and share research findings. The society also sets high standards for training and certification in hyperbaric medicine, ensuring competent and quality care for patients.
