Royal New Zealand Navy

Te Taua Moana O Aotearoa
NAVY HOSPITAL
91 Calliope Road, Devonport
HMNZS Naval Base
Private Bag 32901
Auckland, New Zealand

SLARK HYPERBARIC UNIT

Hon W.E. Cooper MP Minister of Defence opened the Slark Hyperbaric Unit on The 7Th December 1990. We are situated at the Navy Hospital on the Naval Base in Devonport. The primary role of our unit is to support the RNZN operational diving unit and emergency advice and treatment of diving emergencies.

Our chamber is the only accredited facility in the North Island for treating diving related emergencies such as decompression illness, and the principle leader in diving and hyperbaric training and expertise in New Zealand.

Chamber specifications

• Purpose built multiplace steel chamber
• Weight 13,000 kg
• Internal volume 22,000 L
• Internal diameter 2150mm
• Overall length 6616mm
• Main compartment working length 3240mm
• Operational pressure 7.5bar

Main compartment

• 815mm x 1280mm rectangular door
• 350mm diameter medical lock
• 2 recumbent patients or 6 seated

Entry lock

• 760mm ID nominal female NATO
• 760mm side connection door
• Double doors separating entry lock from main lock

STAFF

Hyperbaric Clinical Coordinator Ms Jill Jenkins (09) 4455920
Hyperbaric Nurse Ms Paula Kehoe
Hyperbaric Technical Coordinator Mr Basil Murphy (09) 4455036
Hyperbaric Technician Mr Robert Schmidt
Hyperbaric Medical Officer Dr Chris Sames (09) 4455998

In addition we have a pool of hyperbaric trained Medical Officers, Nurses, Paramedics and Navy Medics to cover our 24 hours on call emergency service.