Overview
Objectives
- Train qualified physicians in the field of underwater and hyperbaric medicine
- Provide the theoretical and practical basics of underwater and hyperbaric medicine: determine indications and monitor treatments
Audience
Learning outcomes
- Manage hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its multiple treatment indications
- Master a high level hyperbaric facility
Programme
2 modules:
- Module 1: Diving Medicine Physician, Level 2D ECHM
- Module 2: Hyperbaric Medicine Physician, Level 2H ECHM
Internship
Final Exam
Registration
Registration deadline
Fees:
- CAS in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine full: CHF 7,900.-
- Module Diving alone: CHF 5,400.-
- Module Hyperbaric alone: CHF 4,800.-
Scholarships are available.
Detailed fees
Scholarships & financial support
The CAS in Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine at the University of Geneva aims to promote access to training for motivated healthcare professionals, particularly those who do not receive institutional funding. To this end, several scholarships and financial support options are available.
For further information, please check the brochure.
Admission criteria
- Federal title of doctor or deemed equivalent
- Valid BLS or equivalent practice
- Experience in emergency medicine, intensive care or anaesthesia (otherwise 8 days of training)
- Medical visit: no contraindication to diving or medical visit: of aptitude to diving
Applicants enrolled in the entire CAS are given priority.
Number of participants
Cancellation Policy
Any withdrawal before the start of the programme will incur a cancellation fee of CHF 400.00. Enrollment fee will be payable in full once the course has begun.
Curriculum
Period
Credits
Teaching hours
Schedule
8:30 - 18:00 (in presence or online)
Lunch break: 1h30
Location
Fee
Planning
- 8, 9 and 10 October 2028 (on-site)
- 9, 10 and 11 December 2027 (online)
- 28 and 29 January 2027 (online)
Exam Diving Medicine Physician
- 6 March 2027 (morning on-site)
Description
Topics
Adaptation to pressure
Introduction to diving medicine
Ability to dive
Diving: technique and decompression
Diving accidents
Management and treatment of diving accidents
Professional diving
Practical courses (5 days)
Skills
Ensure the medical evaluation of divers and other professionals working in hyperbaric environment (aptitude, advice)
Manage diving accidents (therapeutic, monitoring, requalification, prevention)
Exam
Exam Diving Medicine Physician : 7 March 2026 (on-site)
Speakers
Location
Fee
Planning
- 15 March 2027 (online)
- 19 March 2027 avec DIU, optional but highly recommended
- 20 March 2027 avec DIU, optional but highly recommended
- 1, 2 and 3 April 2027 (on-site)
Description
Topics
Physiological aspects of HBOT
Indications of HBOT
Incidents and contraindications of HBOT
Organization and operation of a hyperbaric system
Practical courses — registration must be done at the beginning of the first semester (8 days)
Skills
Manage hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its multiple treatment indications
Master a high level hyperbaric facility
Exam
3 June 2026 (on-site)
Final work presentation
11 September 2026 (online)
This module can only accept up to 20 candidates.
Speakers
Planning
- Exam: 9 June 2027 (on-site)
- Final work presentation: 25 September 2027 (online)
Intervenant-es
Researchers and professors of the Universities, experts of the field at the Swiss and international level:
- Prof. J.-E. Blatteau, Toulon, France
- Dr B. Desgraz, Centre Universitaire Romand de Médecine Hyperbare, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Dr M. Gelsomino, Basel, Switzerland
- Dr P. Germonpré, Brussels, Belgium
- Dr C. Veses, Nice, France
Partnerships / Collaboration
Accreditation / Recognition / Certification
Director(s)
Prof. Thibaut DESMETTRE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Steering committee
Director
- Prof. Thibaut DESMETTRE, Emergency Department of Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Department of Acute Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
Experts
- Dr Pierre LOUGE , Deputy Physician, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
- Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Deputy Physician in charge of the Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
Members
- Prof. Sylvain BOET, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacy and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
- Prof. Laszlo VUTSKITS, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacy and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
- Prof. Jérôme STIRNEMANN, General Intern Medicine Department, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
Scientific committee
- Dr Jean-Yves BERNEY, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
- Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Physician in charge of the Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
- Dr Pierre LOUGE, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
- Dr Benoit DESGRAZ, Cardiology Service, Cardiovascular Department HUG
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
