The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework
A practical way to compare HBOT, MedHBOT and mHBOT operating environments without treating a marketing term as a legal classification.
How to use this framework
Hyperbaric environments differ in pressure, chamber construction, oxygen delivery, intended use, operating procedures and professional oversight. Solid O2 uses three educational categories to make those practical differences easier to understand.
Download the controlled framework
Version-controlled A4 reference with the comparison table and interpretive notes.
The three operating categories
HBOT
Meaning: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
Pressure: Clinical protocols commonly operate around or above 2 ATA, although protocols and statutory definitions vary.
Environment: Hospitals or appropriately equipped medical facilities.
Oversight: Qualified medical oversight and requirements applicable to the facility, equipment and intended use.
MedHBOT
Meaning: Medium Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Solid O2's term for its controlled operating model.
Pressure: Generally approximately 1.3 ATA to 2.2 ATA, always subject to verified model-specific limits.
Environment: Solid O2-supported professional, SME or home installations.
Oversight: Documented equipment, installation, operator competence, servicing and session procedures.
mHBOT
Meaning: mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, a term commonly used in product marketing.
Pressure: Often marketed at approximately 1.5 ATA or below; not a universal statutory boundary.
Environment: Commonly home or wellness environments.
Oversight: Product quality, monitoring, servicing and support can vary between suppliers and sites.
Hyperbaric environment comparison
Pressure boundaries are descriptive. The manufacturer's approved operating parameters and the verified specification of the individual chamber system always take precedence.
| Category | Pressure description | Oxygen delivery | Typical environment | Operational approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HBOT | Clinical protocols commonly around or above 2 ATA; protocols vary | Medical oxygen according to the chamber and clinical protocol | Hospitals and appropriately equipped medical facilities | Qualified medical oversight and applicable clinical, facility and equipment requirements |
| MedHBOT | Solid O2 operating description of approximately 1.3 ATA to 2.2 ATA, subject to equipment specifications | Concentrated oxygen via mask; chamber pressurised with filtered ambient air | Solid O2-supported professional, SME and home installations | Documented equipment, installation, training, servicing and session procedures |
| mHBOT | Often marketed at approximately 1.5 ATA or below; not a universal statutory boundary | Varies by product and operating setup | Commonly home or wellness environments | Equipment quality, monitoring, servicing and support vary |
MedHBOT professional operating principles
MedHBOT is a distinct operating environment, but Solid O2 applies professional hyperbaric safety principles, structured operator training and documented competency standards appropriate to the equipment and treatment environment being used.
The Solid O2 MedHBOT framework incorporates relevant internationally recognised hyperbaric, human-occupancy, pressure-safety, oxygen-safety and operational principles where reasonably applicable to the specific MedHBOT equipment and environment.
Operator qualification belongs to the trained individual and remains portable only while certification or recertification, required revision training, equipment competence, site induction and authorised scope remain current. Equipment status is assessed for the individual chamber system and serial number. Site status additionally depends on documented servicing - at least annually or every 1,000 operating hours, whichever occurs first, subject to any shorter manufacturer interval - and qualified operator coverage.
Interpretation and limitations
Terms such as therapy, wellness, HBOT, MedHBOT or mHBOT do not by themselves determine regulatory status. Lower pressure, fabric construction, air pressurisation or oxygen delivered through a mask does not automatically remove legal, safety or regulatory obligations.
Solid O2 does not provide hospital HBOT through the MedHBOT framework, does not claim a legal exemption and does not claim external accreditation. Research involving clinical HBOT should not automatically be applied to different pressures, oxygen-delivery methods or operating environments.
Controlled document note: Source: The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework. Published 24 March 2026. Version 2.0 revised 9 August 2026. Public educational framework owned by Solid O2.