Hyperbaric Chamber vs Iron Lung

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has become one of the most popular ways to improve recovery rates. Athletes use it to get back to full form faster, while others rely on it to heal quickly from an injury or procedure.

This treatment is commonly compared to the iron lung - something that was made to treat Polio back in the day. We understand the hyperbaric chamber vs iron lung comparison, as both machines are linked to your breathing in one way or another. But they’re totally different.

Our hyperbaric chambers for sale increase oxygen saturation to treat internal conditions. Iron lungs mechanically assist with breathing, kind of like a ventilator. The truth is, they don’t even really exist anymore in clinical settings!

So, you won’t have too much to consider in choosing between the iron lung vs hyperbaric chamber. Go with the machine that actually has a place in modern healing: HBOT.

The best part is it’s more accessible than it’s ever been with our unrivalled selection of soft shell hyperbaric chambers and hard shell hyperbaric chambers online here at Morelli Medical. We’ve handpicked the top models from the best brands, so bring the benefits into YOUR space today!

Category	Hyperbaric Chamber	Iron Lung
Oxygen Delivery	Delivers high levels of oxygen under pressure	Does not supply extra oxygen. Relies on atmospheric air
Primary Use	Supports healing, reduces inflammation, and aids recovery for a wide range of conditions	Used historically to assist breathing in polio patients with paralyzed muscles
User Experience	User lies or sits inside an enclosed chamber and breathes normally	User’s body is enclosed in a metal tank with only the head exposed
Current Availability	Used in clinical and home settings, with soft and hard-shell options available at Morelli Medical	Obsolete; no longer in use or produced

What is a Hyperbaric Chamber?

These sealed, pressurized chambers deliver oxygen at levels higher than what’s available in the air we normally breathe. Pressure is increased to between 1.3 to 3.0 ATA (atmospheres absolute), allowing your lungs to suck in way more oxygen than they could at normal pressure.

This oxygen is then circulated throughout your body, which is where the therapeutic value lies. HBOT can support tissue repair, a healthier inflammatory response, and even cellular recovery. Some people even say it helps them think clearer and perform better cognitively.

The original usage was actually for treating decompression sickness in divers. But while this therapy used to be reserved for clinical settings, you’ll find at-home units to accelerate wound healing, assist in concussion recovery, manage chronic fatigue, and improve outcomes for conditions like long COVID and traumatic brain injury. Common benefits of HBOT include:

Faster soft tissue and bone injury healing
Reduced inflammation and swelling
Improved oxygen supply to hypoxic (low-oxygen) tissues
Enhanced energy and mental clarity
Immune support and detoxification
Support for neuroplasticity and cognitive repair
Adjunctive support for post-surgery recovery

Whether you’re looking for the best hyperbaric chamber for home use or want to outfit your facility with the latest and greatest machine, your search ends here at Morelli Medical. Let’s explain at the other half of the hyperbaric chamber vs iron lung comparison below for now.

What is an Iron Lung?

This large, cylindrical mechanical ventilator was primarily used in the 20th century to treat patients with respiratory paralysis, most famously from polio.

The device is placed around the patient’s body, leaving just the head exposed. It then uses negative pressure to simulate the act of breathing. The machine draws air out of the chamber, in turn creating a vacuum that forces the patient’s chest to expand and draw in air. The chest contracts and expels carbon dioxide when pressure is released.

This external ventilation method saved thousands of lives during the Polio epidemics in the 90s, especially children whose diaphragm muscles had been paralyzed by the virus.

Here’s the thing, though. There’s really no need for an iron lung vs hyperbaric chamber comparison - these machines are obsolete today! They’ve been replaced by modern positive-pressure ventilators and non-invasive breathing aids.

But even if they were still mainstream, is there even a relevant connection here? We want to first clear the air on a common question we see asked online…

Is an Iron Lung a Hyperbaric Chamber?

Definitely not! They’re entirely distinct devices with different purposes.

A hyperbaric chamber uses positive pressure and oxygen therapy to support healing at the cellular level. An iron lung, on the other hand, uses negative pressure to mechanically assist breathing in patients who can’t breathe on their own.

They may both be large sealed units, but that’s where the similarity ends and the differences begin. So, let’s take a closer look at the hyperbaric chamber vs iron lung side by side below.

Hyperbaric Chamber vs Iron Lung: Key Differences to Consider

Although they’re very different, it’s actually not that uncommon for people to confuse hyperbaric chambers with iron lungs. Both are sealed medical devices that involve air pressure, after all.

But the comparison between a hyperbaric chamber vs iron lung is a silly one when you look closer, as one is a legacy machine from the polio era while the other is a modern wellness and recovery tool with broad applications today. Here’s what you really need to know.

How They Work

Hyperbaric chambers work by raising the pressure inside the unit to levels above normal atmospheric pressure. The person in the chamber breathes oxygen-rich air so the lungs can take in more oxygen than they could at regular pressure. That oxygen is delivered throughout the body to fuel recovery at the cellular level.

The iron lung actually takes the opposite approach. Instead of enriching oxygen, it uses negative pressure outside the chest to simulate breathing. The chamber creates a vacuum around the patient’s body, causing the chest to expand and draw in air. The chest contracts as pressure equalizes and air is expelled.

So really, the iron lung vs hyperbaric chamber debate comes down to positive vs negative pressure. HBOT applies positive pressure by pushing oxygen into the lungs and, in turn, deeper into tissues.

Meanwhile, an iron lung pulls air into the lungs by creating a vacuum (negative pressure). Iron lungs don’t deliver more oxygen or support healing in any way, shape, or form. They’re simply an antiquated form of life support for a failing diaphragm.

Conditions Treated

The iron lung serves a singular purpose: helping people with polio or similar neuromuscular conditions breathe. The truth is, it doesn’t even really have a purpose today since more sophisticated devices have emerged.

At any rate, iron lungs were not designed to treat illness directly or speed up healing. They simply kept people alive until their muscles could do their job again. On the other hand, a hyperbaric chamber supports a wide variety of conditions today. That includes:

Slow or non-healing wounds
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Radiation injury
Concussion symptoms
Inflammation
Fatigue
Certain neurological conditions

Mild chambers (like 1.3 to 1.5 ATA models) have become really popular in home wellness setups for recovery, focus, and energy. There are even portable hyperbaric chambers!

Patient Experience

Another major difference between the hyperbaric chamber vs iron lung is how they actually feel.

As you can imagine, the iron lung isn’t exactly a rejuvenating experience. You lie down, encased in metal from the neck down. You cannot move whatsoever. You can’t even communicate. Users were historically stuck in the machine 24/7, requiring constant monitoring/outside assistance.

In contrast, the modern hyperbaric chamber is compact, quiet, and designed for comfort. Today’s soft-shell models let you recline or sit, read a book, or even use a tablet during treatment.

Some high-end models from Macy-Pan and OxyRevo even offer wheelchair access, internal lighting, and other features to elevate the experience. You actually look forward to HBOT!

Availability and Accessibility Today

Iron lungs are relics of the past. They haven’t been produced in decades. Only a few remain in use, mostly through personal repair and adaptation. It’s an outdated solution that served a specific purpose in a very different era.

Hyperbaric chambers, on the other hand, are widely available. Now, they were reserved mostly for clinical settings a few decades ago - but today, anyone who’s serious about their healing and rrecovery can bring the benefits of HBOT into their space.

Brands like Macy-Pan and OxyRevo now offer soft and sitting-style chambers that ship directly to your door. Financing, customer support, and ongoing use are straightforward when you work with a trusted provider like Morelli Medical, too.

Experience the Benefits of HBOT Firsthand With Morelli Medical!

Morelli Medical is passionate about helping you find the right setup for your goals, space, and budget. We’ve curated the industry’s most reputable brands and their most sought-after models, at unbeatable prices - with world-class customer service every step of the way.

Whether you're looking for a soft-sided unit for general wellness or a sit-up model with wheelchair access, we carry a wide selection of pressure ratings, chamber styles, and configurations. Narrow it down below:

Or better yet, connect with our experts for one-on-one support today. Our team has years of experience guiding customers through the details that actually matter. We can talk about daily use, oxygen compatibility, pressure differences, size considerations, and cost.

You can use our flexible financing options to make the process as accessible as possible, too. From first-time buyers to clinicians building out a full practice, Morelli Medical is the go-to source for high-quality HBOT systems and support that makes the process stress-free.

Get started now!

“We have used the OXYREVO Forward90 1.5 for several weeks now, and we are very impressed with the quality and ease of used. Simple enough to be operated by one person.” - Michael

“I love how thought-out the design is. Dual pressure gauges, zippers inside and out, and everything is glue-free and non-toxic. I’m very sensitive to chemicals, and this was a major reason I chose Oxyrevo over others. It’s easy to clean, easy to use, and doesn’t feel like medical equipment.” - Jordan

“Great product, great team to work with, answered questions all along the way including on set up and operation.” - Roger

Parting Thoughts on Iron Lung vs Hyperbaric Chamber

That does it for our comparison of the hyperbaric chamber vs iron lung. While both the iron lung and hyperbaric chamber are rooted in oxygen therapy, they operate on entirely different principles - and serve entirely different purposes.

The iron lung has become an artifact, showing how far we’ve come since the 1940s and 1950s. The technological advancement is incredible in juxtaposing the iron lung with a hyperbaric chamber, a true modern marvel in healing and recovery technology.

Want to explore other comparisons with HBOT? We’ve created similar resources looking at the hyperbaric chamber vs oxygen mask or hyperbaric chamber vs cryotherapy. The only thing left to do at this point, though, is determine whether or not HBOT is right for your needs.

We can help you find out for sure. It all starts with a conversation. Connect with our experts today and explore soft-shell, sit-up, and professional-grade models built for real results!