Prohibition of Electronic Devices in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Addressing the Dangers of Ignition and Lithium-Ion Batteries
Prohibition of Electronic Devices in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Addressing the Dangers of Ignition and Lithium-Ion Batteries
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a powerful medical intervention that enhances the body’s natural healing processes by delivering 93% oxygen or more at elevated atmospheric pressures, typically between 1.1 and 3.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA). This treatment is highly effective for a range of conditions including carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic wounds, decompression sickness, and radiation tissue injury. However, the same high-oxygen environment that makes HBOT so beneficial also introduces unique and serious safety risks—particularly the risk of fire. One of the most critical precautions in HBOT is the strict prohibition of personal electronic devices within or near the chamber, with special concern surrounding lithium-ion batteries.
In a hyperbaric chamber, the elevated partial pressure of oxygen creates an oxygen-enriched atmosphere that is highly reactive. Oxygen is not flammable on its own, but it is a potent oxidizer. In such an environment, materials that are normally flame-resistant can ignite easily, and combustible substances burn with greater speed, intensity, and heat. As a result, the threshold for ignition is significantly reduced.
Electronic devices—such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, fitness trackers, hearing aids, and e-cigarettes—are strictly forbidden inside the chamber due to their inherent fire risks. Of greatest concern are **lithium-ion batteries**, which are commonly used in these devices. These batteries can fail through a process known as thermal runaway, where internal damage, manufacturing defects, or exposure to heat causes the battery to overheat, vent flammable gas, and in some cases, ignite or explode. Even a minor battery fault or static spark can act as an ignition source under hyperbaric conditions, where oxygen saturation makes the surrounding environment highly flammable.
Numerous documented cases in consumer electronics outside the HBOT setting—such as spontaneous fires in smartphones and laptops—demonstrate the real-world dangers of lithium-ion battery failures. Within a hyperbaric chamber, those dangers are multiplied exponentially. A spark that would be inconsequential in normal air could ignite a fire that spreads instantly, leaving patients and staff with no time to respond. Given that patients are often enclosed in sealed mono-place chambers with limited mobility, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Beyond the direct fire risk, personal electronics can also emit electromagnetic interference (EMI) that may disrupt the hyperbaric system’s critical monitoring and control functions. These systems maintain life-supporting parameters such as chamber pressure, oxygen concentration, and patient monitoring alarms. Any interference could compromise the safety or efficacy of the treatment.
This strict prohibition is grounded in fire safety science, particularly the “fire triangle” concept: for a fire to occur, three elements must be present—fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source. In HBOT, oxygen levels are elevated by design, and both the patient and chamber materials can act as fuel. The only controllable variable in this triad is the elimination of ignition sources, such as lithium-ion-powered electronics.
To mitigate these risks, hyperbaric medicine programs enforce rigorous safety protocols. Patients are required to wear 100% cotton garments to minimize static electricity. All items brought into the chamber are screened for synthetic fibers and electrical components. Patients and staff receive comprehensive education on chamber safety and the rationale for removing all unauthorized electronic devices before treatment.
The prohibition of electronic devices—especially those powered by lithium-ion batteries—is not merely procedural. It is a life-preserving standard rooted in decades of clinical experience, materials science, and fire prevention research. Hyperbaric medicine holds patient safety as its highest priority, and minimizing ignition risk is essential to that mission.
By eliminating potential ignition sources, HBOT programs protect patients and ensure that the healing benefits of oxygen therapy are delivered without compromise. As the field continues to evolve, the unwavering commitment to safety in oxygen-enriched environments remains a foundational principle of hyperbaric medicine.