In wake of child’s death, industry leaders call for regulation of hyperbaric chambers

Ittookthedeathof5-year-oldThomasCoopertohighlighttheneedforregulationofhyperbaricoxygenchambers,saidtheexecutivedirectoroftheUndersea&HyperbaricMedicalSociety.CallsarerisingforregulationtoreininthemedicalspasandwellnesscentersthatofferhyperbaricoxygentherapyfortreatmentsthatarenotauthorizedbytheFDA.Thedeathofa5-year-oldboyinsideahyperbaricoxygenchamberinTroyhighlightsfailureatnearlyeverylevelofgovernmenttoregulateanindustrythattoooftenpreysonvulnerablepeopledesperatetofindalternativetreatmentsforconditionstheyhaven’tbeenabletorelievewithconventionalmedicine,saidJohnPeters,executivedirectoroftheUndersea&HyperbaricMedicalSociety. Andtheresult,Peterssaid,isthatpeopledie. PeoplelikeThomasCooper,whoworehisSuperMarioBros.pajamasasheunderwenthis36thtreatmentinsideahyperbaricoxygenchamberattheOxfordCenteronJan.31inTroy,whenwhatappearedtobestaticelectricitysparkeda“fireball,”killing