Does Superman Need Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Keep His Powers?

It is no secret that my alter ego is Superman. Haha In my dreams. At least, my family thinks I am Superdad. But really, does Superman get his power from oxygen? Does he need hyperbaric oxygen therapy to maintain his powers? Or my dad bod just needs more oxygen. Let’s find out more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

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Superman and His Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Despite his superpowers, the Man of Steel still needs to breathe oxygen in order to live. But he can survive in outer space (outside earth or a planet’s atmosphere) or places without oxygen longer than ordinary humans.

Why? Because he can hold his breath much longer than we can.

I am starting to wonder how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help him. I really don’t know. haha

But this is how oxygen therapy helped me after I had three sessions at the Advanced Hyperbaric Healthcare Center here in Bacolod City.

The Advanced Hyperbaric Healthcare Center in Bacolod

I have already heard about hyperbaric oxygen therapy maybe more than 10 years ago. The treatment was in Metro Manila and was featured on a TV show. Back then, it was my first time learning that such a technology exists, but I don’t exactly remember all the benefits. I already knew there was a chamber. And I thought that it was only so that the body is immersed in pure oxygen.

Well, a few points that I can remember is that the therapy can benefit kids with autism and ADHD. I also remember that Michael Jackson used to go through this kind of therapy. I am not sure, what exactly made me curious to try it out back then. Was it the health benefits of oxygen therapy or because one of my favorite singers had it?

When I heard that hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT is now available here in Bacolod City, I have already put that curiosity aside at that time. But when my wife mentioned that we will try it out, I actually looked forward to going.

Of course, I didn’t know yet about all the procedures and protocols to go through except the consultation with the doctor that wifey mentioned.

A Walk Through My Experience with Oxygen Therapy

Ok, so wifey and I went together to the Advanced Hyperbaric Healthcare Center here in Bacolod City.

It was there that I came to know about all the on-site pre-treatment procedures. Our blood pressure was taken, as well as oxygen levels using an oximeter by the staff nurse. Being a first-timer in the center, our medical history was thoroughly reviewed. I narrated all the times and reasons I was hospitalized.

At that time, the doctor was not on physical duty because of Covid-19 restrictions, but he attended to the patients virtually. He interviewed me through a teleconsultation.

After all the preps were done, we were led to the chamber to the lounge where we had to take off our shoes and wear a lab gown. We were made to wear soft, bedroom slippers, preferably with socks. The robe and socks help to reduce the friction on the skin.

We also had to remove all metal and electronic objects on our bodies. That would include jewelry, belts, and mobile phones, as pure oxygen under pressure is highly flammable.

All our stuff was then left for safekeeping in the locker. But our keys had to be entrusted to their staff because these are made of metal.

The Actual Oxygen Therapy Session

Entering the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, I went giddy with excitement. I switched to geek mode, imagining that I was Kal-el (Superman’s Kryptonian name) being revived in the chamber by Kelex (a Kryptonian robotic servant).

We were seated in comfortable chairs in the chamber. The nurse fitted the face masks and made sure that our hoses were working properly. We were briefed about decompression and about our ears popping due to pressure.

This reminded me of my underwater trekking adventure at Cebu Ocean Park. When we went to the Cebu Ocean Park last Nov. 2019, I got to experience their Deep Sea Adventure attraction. There, I was taught that if we go underwater, we had to do decompression techniques to release pressure from the ears. By now, I knew what to expect while in the chamber.

Orientation by the Nurse On Duty

The nurse gave us tips on how to decompress or deal with the pressure in our ears. We were to swallow, yawn, or whatever it is that let us release the pressure. These are almost the same techniques scuba divers and deep sea divers employ that I also did at the underwater trekking adventure.

But what worked best for me was pinching my nose and blowing “through the ears”. This was something I could not do during the underwater trekking since I had a helmet covering my whole head.

Choosing Your Entertainment

Time to choose the movie to watch. Oh wait, that is not a necessary step. But it will be a 1.5-hour procedure so we needed entertainment while being seated the whole time just inhaling and exhaling.

It was like a movie date with wifey while wearing oxygen masks.

Inhale, Exhale

After we were settled, all we needed to do was to inhale through the nose and possibly, exhale through the mouth. Breathing in through the mouth will cause a dry throat.

Breaktime

There were two, 5-minute air breaks during the treatment. This can be used to eat some crackers or drink water. But you cannot go out of the hyperbaric chamber while the oxygen therapy is in session so you should empty your bladder before going in.

How Did I Feel After the Oxygen Therapy?

Honestly, I did not feel anything major since I was feeling alright before trying out the treatment.

However, I did experience being always sleepy after lunch. For about a week before my first session, I had to take a nap or else I cannot go through the rest of the day.

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After the first session, while wifey and another companion felt like sleeping the rest of the day (and they did when we got home), me on the other hand, did not really feel anything. I thought maybe because I was just ok anyway. But after the treatment, we still went somewhere, had lunch and went on with my day.

It was not until the next day after the first treatment that I realized I did not feel the need to take a nap anymore.

So there it is. That was what the HBOT did to me. I felt alert and more productive the next several days. I did not really feel a rush after the therapy like I would if I had an energy drink. Moreover, I cannot say that I became hyperactive. But I could do my tasks in a full day, without needing a mid-day nap, because I had physical energy and mental alertness.

So does Superman get his powers from HBOT? Naaah … He gets it from the yellow sun. But oxygen therapy is good for him, too.

Contact Information

Advanced Hyperbaric Healthcare Center

Narra Avenue corner CL Montelibano Avenue
Villamonte, Bacolod City 6100
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Tel. No.: (0995) 534-6582

Website: www.hbotphilippines.com