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
The Hyperbaric Operator module is open to anyone, whereas the CAS Care and Operational Managment in Hyperbaric Conditions, Hyperbaric Fitness is for nurses exclusively.
Programme
2 modules:
- Hyperbaric Operator
- Hyperbaric Nurse
Diploma awarded
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Care and Operational Managment in Hyperbaric Condisitons, Hyperbaric Fitness / Certificat de formation continue (CAS) en Soins et conduite opérationnelle en milieu hyperbare, aptitude à l’hyperbarie is awarded by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva. It corresponds to the acquisition of 15 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), i. e. 375 hours of work including 280 hours of teaching (100 hours of internship and 180 hours of theoretical instruction). It is obtained when all of the training has been completed and the student has met the requirements of the knowledge test.
Registration
Registration deadline
31 July 2025
Modules can be followed individually
Fees:
- CAS Care and Operational Management in Hyperbaric Conditions, Hyperbaric Fitness: CHF 3'900.-
- “Hyperbaric Operator” module: CHF 2’700.-
Priority is given to candidates registered for the full CAS.
Admission criteria
For the CAS
- Bachelor of science from a HES in nursing or deemed equivalent
- Valid BLS
- Medical examination of no contraindication to diving or Medical examination of Aptitude for diving
For the operator module
- Valid BLS
- Medical examination of no contraindication to diving or Medical examination of Aptitude for diving
- Scuba diving experience is preferred
Curriculum
Period
October 2025 - September 2026
Credits
15 ECTS credits
Schedule
8h30-18h00
Fee
2700 CHF
Planning
Application deadline: 30.06.2025 (can be postponed on request)
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
Dr Rodrigue Pignel
Planning
In addition to M1 Hyperbaric Operator
Application deadline : 30.06.2025
- 9, 10 and 11 Octobrer 2025 (on-site)
- 10, 11 and 12 December 2025 (online)
- 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, 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 (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
Nicolas Fourquet
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
The operator module is subject to a written evaluation. This assessment must be validated by the nurses to continue the CAS. The CAS is assessed by a final exam which is organized at the end of the training. The hours of professional practice are the subject of certificates of participation which must be sent by the student to the person in charge of the module concerned. The end-of-studies work is compulsory for obtaining the CAS.
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
The CAS complies with the European standards of the EBAss (European Baromedical Association).
These 2 levels are recognised by the European College of Baromedicine (ECB / EBAss).
The steps to obtain the various equivalences of certificates or diplomas (French DGT or EBass) are the responsibility of the candidate.
Director(s)
Prof. Thibaut DESMETTRE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Dr Pierre LOUGE, Nicolas FOURQUET and Dr Sylvain BOET, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)
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
- Dr 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
