Within the Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework, the hyperbaric environment can generally be grouped into three main categories based on pressure levels, oxygen delivery methods, equipment standards, treatment procedures, and operational safety oversight.
The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework defines three operational hyperbaric environments: HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), MedHBOT (Medium Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), and mHBOT (mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy). These categories are distinguished by pressure ranges, oxygen delivery methods, equipment standards, and operational safety oversight.
For a deeper explanation of how these categories differ in practice, read our article: Understanding the Difference Between HBOT, MedHBOT and mHBOT.
The 3 Hyperbaric Categories
Within the Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework, the hyperbaric environment can generally be grouped into three main categories based on pressure levels, oxygen delivery methods, equipment standards, treatment procedures, and operational safety oversight.
MedHBOT — Medium Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Pressure: 1.3 ATA – 2.2 ATA
Oxygen: 85–97% oxygen delivered directly to the patient via mask
Environment: Professional wellness, SME, or home environments with monitored protocols
Equipment Type: Can be fabric or solid body solutions
Operational Model: Regulated standards of equipment quality, maintenance, servicing, and treatment procedures designed to follow strict safety requirements. Since the chamber itself is not fully pressurized with 100% pure oxygen, and instead focuses on delivering 85–97% oxygen directly to the patient’s face or mask, it becomes an easier and often safer environment to manage for SMEs and homes.
HBOT — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Pressure: Usually ≥2 ATA
Oxygen: 100% pure oxygen
Environment: Hospitals or medically supervised facilities
Operational Model: Regulated standards and usually operated by Doctors or Nurses with specific training to manage the risks of such equipment, particularly where the entire chamber is pressurized with pure oxygen.
mHBOT — mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Pressure: Usually ≤1.5 ATA
Oxygen: Commonly 85–97% oxygen via concentrators, but purity and consistency may not be monitored
Environment: Usually homes or wellness environments
Equipment Type: Usually fabric chambers, but can also include solid body solutions
Operational Model: These are typically unregulated systems that can be bought by anybody. Because they are unregulated, oxygen purity is not guaranteed, equipment may not be monitored by any reputable entity, and quality or safety standards may not be consistently maintained. Over time, oxygen purity could drop below expected levels with no proper servicing, monitoring, or certified quality controls in place.
Why This Classification Matters
The hyperbaric industry includes a wide range of equipment types, pressure ranges, oxygen delivery methods, and operational environments. Without clear terminology, it is easy for professionals, businesses, and consumers to misunderstand the differences between hospital-grade hyperbaric systems, professionally managed wellness systems, and unregulated consumer equipment.
The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework helps provide a clearer structure for understanding these environments. By distinguishing between HBOT, MedHBOT, and mHBOT, this framework aims to support safer equipment selection, clearer communication within the industry, and improved understanding of how different hyperbaric environments are designed to operate.
Hyperbaric Treatment Comparison
The table below summarizes the key differences between HBOT, MedHBOT and mHBOT environments based on pressure levels, oxygen delivery, operational environments, and safety oversight.
| Category | Pressure Range | Oxygen Delivery | Environment | Operational Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MedHBOT | 1.3 ATA – 2.2 ATA | 85–97% oxygen via mask | Professional wellness, SMEs, homes | Equipment, maintenance and treatment procedures follow structured safety standards. |
| HBOT | ≥2 ATA | 100% pure oxygen | Hospitals and medical facilities | Strict medical regulation with trained doctors or nurses managing treatment. |
| mHBOT | ≤1.5 ATA | Typically concentrator oxygen | Homes and small wellness setups | Generally unregulated equipment with limited monitoring or servicing oversight. |
Framework Usage
The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework is intended to provide a clearer understanding of how different hyperbaric environments operate across the industry. It may be used by professionals, wellness centers, equipment suppliers, and consumers to better differentiate between hospital-based hyperbaric systems, professionally managed hyperbaric environments, and unregulated consumer equipment.
By distinguishing between HBOT, MedHBOT, and mHBOT, this framework aims to support clearer communication, safer equipment selection, and more informed decision-making when evaluating hyperbaric oxygen therapy solutions.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between HBOT, MedHBOT, and mHBOT is essential for ensuring appropriate equipment selection, safety procedures, and treatment environments. While hospital-based HBOT remains the gold standard for certain medical conditions, MedHBOT provides a structured and scalable environment for professional wellness and therapeutic applications. In contrast, unregulated mHBOT systems may vary widely in equipment quality, oxygen purity, and operational oversight.
Source: The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework
About the Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework
The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework was developed to help clarify the different operational environments within the hyperbaric industry. By distinguishing between HBOT, MedHBOT, and mHBOT systems, the framework provides a practical structure for understanding variations in pressure ranges, oxygen delivery methods, equipment standards, and operational safety oversight.
This framework is intended to support clearer communication across professionals, equipment suppliers, wellness providers, and consumers when evaluating different hyperbaric oxygen environments.
Source: The Solid O2 Hyperbaric Classification Framework
Published: 24 March 2026
Framework Version: 1.0
To better understand the operational differences between these hyperbaric environments, read our article:
Understanding the Difference Between HBOT, MedHBOT and mHBOT
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