If you have a diving incident in Mauritius where DCI is suspected, the only treatment is recompression at a Recompression Chamber.
Recompression Chamber Info
The only Recompression Chamber that is available for the public in Mauritius is located at Victoria Hospital, Candos.
The chamber has staff available from 7:30am to 6pm. They are also available out of hours but this may be more difficult or take longer to get he staff. There should be a doctor available 24 hours. The internal extension is 35117.
The chamber can take up to 7 patients sitting plus 1 staff, or 1 patient lying down (unconscious or unable to sit) and up to 3 sitting with 1 staff.
Treatments can last up to a few hours and unless the buddy is suspected of DCI, no one else is allowed in the building housing the chamber as they do not have the staff to keep an eye on anyone else.
Costs
All foreigners (including foreign students as well as foreigners holding a residence permit and who are married to Mauritians) admitted as in-patients should pay the relevant fees in respect of Medical Treatment, except:
- Those having a valid work permit
- Holder of a Mauritian Identify Card
- Comorian patients referred by the Ministry of Health and Wellness
The fees are 10,000 MUR per session in cash plus inpatient fees and must be paid in cash upfront, not through an insurance company (but can be claimed back after depending on policy).
Procedure
Call SAMU – 114 – SAMU will take care of assessing the patient and bringing them to the hospital.
If SAMU is not available, or a private ambulance is used, go to Casualty Assessment first at Victoria Hospital where the patient will be assessed and taken to the chamber if required. It is best to call Victoria Hospital on the way so they know that you are coming and can get staff ready if necessary. Ask to talk to the doctor on call for the hyperbaric chamber. Phone number is 4020800.