Overview
Objectives
- Train qualified nurses and technicians in the field of underwater and hyperbaric medicine
- Acquire the theoretical and practical fundamentals of underwater and hyperbaric medicine
Audience
Programme
2 modules:
- Hyperbaric Operator
- Hyperbaric Nurse
Diploma awarded
Registration
Registration deadline
Fees:
- CAS Care and Operational Management in Hyperbaric Conditions, Hyperbaric Fitness: CHF 7'900.-
- “Hyperbaric Operator” module: CHF 3’500.-
Priority is given to candidates registered for the full CAS. Scholarships are available.
Detailed fees
Scholarships & financial support
The CAS Care and Operational Management in Hyperbaric Conditions, Hyperbaric Fitness 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
For the CAS
- Bachelor of science from a HES in nursing or deemed equivalent
- Valid BLS or equivalent practice
- Medical examination of no contraindication to diving or Medical examination of Aptitude for diving
For the operator module
- Valid BLS or equivalent practice
- Medical examination of no contraindication to diving or Medical examination of Aptitude for diving
- Scuba diving experience is preferred
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
Schedule
8h30-18h00
Fee
Planning
On request, 4 days
Description
Topics
- Physical and physiological bases
- Pressure / O2 effect
- Principle of HBO
- Emergency operations
- Therapeutic and decompression tables
- Safety and hygiene in a hyperbaric environment
- Regulations
- Practical training (6 days)
Competences
- Operate the hyperbaric chamber and all its annexes (compressor, oxygen reserve, etc.) in complete safety
- Calculate, apply and check the decompression tables for the occupants in the room and if necessary, apply the decompression stops
- Manage, control and document hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) treatments in accordance with the imposed procedures
Final examination
3 June 2026 (on-site)
Final work presentation
11 September 2026 (online)
Speakers
Planning
- 8, 9 and 10 October 2026 (on-site)
- 9, 10 and 11 December 2026 (online)
- 15 March 2027 (online)
- 19 mars 2027 avec DIU, optional but highly recommended
- 20 mars 2027 avec DIU, optional but highly recommended
- 22, 23 and 24 April 2027 (on-site)
- Avril-May 2027, 3 days to be determined
Description
Topics
- Physiological aspects of HBOT
- Indications of HBOT
- Incidents and contraindications of HBOT
- Organization and operation of a hyperbaric system
- Practical courses (13 days)
Competences
- Apply the care measures belonging to the common pathologies of hyperbaric therapy that are applied to patients in a hyperbaric chamber
- Assist patients inside the hyperbaric chamber, give special care to the specific conditions of the hyperbaric environment
Final examination
3 June 2026 (on-site)
Final work presentation
11 September 2026 (online)
Speakers
Planning
- Exam: 9 June 2027 (on-site)
- Final work presentation: 25 September 2027 (online)
Pedagogical method
The complete programme of studies (2 thematic modules) takes place over 2 semesters, articulating theoretical teaching and practical cases, hours of professional practice in the form of traineeship, a final exam and a final work.
Assessment
Intervenant-es
Researchers and professors of the Universities, experts of the field at the Swiss and international level:
- Pr C. Balestra, Brussels, Belgium
- Pr J.E. Blateau, Toulon, France
- Dr M. Gelsomino, Basel, Switzerland
- Dr P. Germonpré, Brussels, Belgium
- Dr M. Coulange, Marseille, France
- Dr T. Joffre, Lyon, 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
- Nicolas FOURQUET, Orthopedic Unit, Surgery Department, HUG
- Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Physician in charge of the Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
Members
- Prof. Sylvain BOET, Deputy Physician, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
- Prof. Laszlo VUTSKITS, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacy and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
- Prof. Jérôme STIRNEMANN, Privat-Docent, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, HUG
Scientific committee
- Dr Jean-Yves BERNEY, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
- Dr Pierre LOUGE, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
- Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Physician in charge of the Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
