Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Geneva offers a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. This unique training program develops scientific knowledge in underwater and hyperbaric medicine, interacting with emergency medicine and occupational medicine.

Objectives

• Train qualified physicians in the field of underwater and hyperbaric medicine
• Provide the theoretical and practical basics of underwater and hyperbaric medicine: determine indications and monitor treatments

Audience

The program is designed for physicians.

Learning Outcomes

• Manage hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its multiple treatment indications
• Master a high-level hyperbaric facility

Program Structure

The program consists of two modules:

• Module 1: Diving Medicine Physician, Level 2D ECHM
• Module 2: Hyperbaric Medicine Physician, Level 2H ECHM Internship and final exam are also part of the program.

Registration

• Registration deadline: 20 August 2024
• Modules can be followed individually
• Fees:
  • CAS in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine full: CHF 3,900.-
  • Module Diving alone: CHF 2,700.-
  • Module Hyperbaric alone: CHF 2,400.- Financial support (chčque annuel de formation) is available.

Admission Criteria

• Federal title of doctor or deemed equivalent
• Valid BLS
• Experience in emergency medicine, intensive care, or anesthesia (otherwise 8 days of training)
• Medical visit: no contraindication to diving or medical visit of aptitude to diving

Number of Participants

Maximum 20 participants.

Curriculum

• Period: October 2024 - September 2025
• Credits: 15 ECTS credits
• Teaching hours: 230 teaching hours

Diving Medicine Physician Level 2D ECHM

• Location: Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
• Fee: CHF 2,600
• Planning:
  • 10, 11, 12 October 2024 in class
  • 5, 6, 7 December 2024 by videoconference
  • 24, 25 January 2025 in class
  • Exam Diving Medicine Physician: 8 March 2025 in class
• Description: Topics include adaptation to pressure, introduction to diving medicine, ability to dive, diving technique and decompression, diving accidents, management and treatment of diving accidents, professional diving, and practical courses.
• Skills: Ensure the medical evaluation of divers and other professionals working in a hyperbaric environment, manage diving accidents.
• Exam: One day in March
• Speakers: Dr. Pierre Louge

Hyperbaric Medicine Physician Level 2H ECHM

• Location: Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
• Fee: CHF 2,300
• Planning:
  • 20 March 2025 by videoconference
  • 21 March 2025, mandatory participation in the French National Hyperbaric Day in Lyon (France)
  • 22 March 2025, optional but recommended participation in the MedSubHyp Scientific Day in Lyon (France)
  • 15, 16, 17 May 2025 in class
  • Hyperbaric medicine written exam: 28 June 2025 (morning), online
  • Dissertation defense: 27 September 2025, in class but with the option to be by videoconference
• Description: Topics include physiological aspects of HBOT, indications of HBOT, incidents and contraindications of HBOT, organization and operation of a hyperbaric system, practical courses.
• Skills: Manage hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its multiple treatment indications, master a high-level hyperbaric facility.
• Exam: Two days in September, final exam and oral presentations.
• Speakers: Dr. Rodrigue Pignel

Partnerships / Collaboration

The program is recognized by the European College of Baromedicine (ECB / ECHM).

Director(s)

Prof. Thibaut Desmettre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Dr. Pierre Louge and Dr. Rodrigue Pignel, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genčve (HUG)

Steering Committee

• Director: Prof. Thibaut Desmettre
• Experts: Dr. Pierre Louge, Dr. Rodrigue Pignel
• Members: Prof. Sylvain Boet, Prof. Laszlo Vutskits, Dr. Jérôme Stirnemann

Scientific Committee

• Dr. Jean-Yves Berney
• Dr. Rodrigue Pignel
• Dr. Pierre Louge
• Dr. Benoit Desgraz

Related Programs

• CAS - Médecine subaquatique et hyperbare (2024)
• CAS - Soins et conduite opérationnelle en milieu hyperbare, aptitude ŕ l'hyperbarie (2024)
• CAS - Care and Operational Management in Hyperbaric Conditions, Hyperbaric Fitness (2024)