The presence of a hyperbaric stretcher at an accident or emergency site enables a casualty requiring hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) to be treated as soon as the first symptoms of the requirement become apparent. The importance of immediate treatment of diving accidents cannot be over-emphasized. Delay in treatment greatly reduces the likelihood of full resolution. Due to the lightness and portability of a hyperbaric stretcher, it is almost always possible to have a unit on site, irrespective of the whereabouts of the incident, whereas to have a larger therapeutic chamber available on site is often logistically not possible.

Note: 1 bar = 10 msw = 33 fsw. At sea level the pressure is 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA) which is just over 1 bar (1.3% over). Chamber/stretcher pressures in hyperbarics are usually measured in meters (or feet) seawater and are assumed to be above 1 atmosphere, i.e. the depth of seawater. Remember that with a hyperbaric stretcher, you may not be at sea level and therefore it is more correct to consider absolute pressures when referring to therapies.