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 3,900.-
- Module Diving alone: CHF 2,700.-
- Module Hyperbaric alone: CHF 2,400.-
Admission criteria
- Federal title of doctor or deemed equivalent
- Valid BLS
- 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
Number of participants
Curriculum
Period
Credits
Teaching hours
Date(s)
Location
Fee
Planning
Application deadline: 30.06.2025
- 9, 10 and 11 October 2025 (on-site)
- 10, 11 and 12 December 2025 (online)
- 30 and 31 January 2026 (online)
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
Date(s)
Location
Fee
Planning
Application deadline: 15.02.2026
- 16 March 2026 (online)
- 20 March 2026 (Lille, France) Switzerland/France international training day
- 21 March 2026 (Lille, France) Optional but recommended – Hyperbaric Medicine and Diving Congress
- 23, 24 and 25 April 2026 (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
Intervenant-es
Researchers and professors of the Universities, experts of the field at the Swiss and international level:
- Prof. C. Balestra, Brussels, Belgium
- Prof. J.-E. Blatteau, Toulon, France
- Dr M. Gelsomino, Basel, Switzerland
- Dr P. Germonpré, Brussels, Belgium
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
- Dr 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
