Product description
D.A.R.T. & A.T.E.L. Transportable Diving Chamber System
The D.A.R.T. (Diver Attendant Recompression Transportable) and A.T.E.L. (Attachable Transportable Entrance Lock) form a transportable hyperbaric chamber system for surface decompression, therapeutic treatment and transfer under pressure. The D.A.R.T. serves as the main recompression chamber, while the A.T.E.L. adds an entrance lock that allows occupants to transfer into or out of the D.A.R.T. while the chamber remains under pressure. When purchased together, the D.A.R.T. and A.T.E.L. form a unified set with matching calibration.
D.A.R.T. – Diver Attendant Recompression Transportable
The D.A.R.T. accommodates a maximum of two occupants: one patient on the stretcher and one attendant. Its internal dimensions allow the attendant to reach the patient’s head and chest for resuscitation. Its special shape also provides enough space for a diver in a lying position together with an attendant during extended transportation. The document states that tests have demonstrated transportation durations of up to eight hours in emergency cases.
The D.A.R.T. uses a special seawater-resistant aluminium type to minimise weight and retain its transportable character. Its external dimensions support transportation by small vans, pickups, light airplanes, helicopters, coast patrol boats and building elevators. Three low-resistance transport wheels allow one person to move the chamber over short distances. The rear wheel lets the operator change the chamber inclination manually, while two wheels lock manually and all wheels rotate through 360 degrees. Handle bars on both sides support carrying, and three lifting eyes provide lifting points. The standard scope also includes a certified three-way nylon lifting sling.
STANAG connection and rapid deployment
A rotating STANAG male bayonet flange gives the D.A.R.T. a connection interface for compatible hyperbaric facilities and stationary treatment chambers with a female STANAG bayonet flange. The flange complies with STANAG 1079. The document also allows the use of adaptor flanges when a hyperbaric facility uses another connection flange.
The D.A.R.T. reaches operational status in less than five minutes. When operators use the D.A.R.T. without the A.T.E.L., the door construction and stretcher guiding rails support patient and attendant positioning, door closure and the start of pressurisation within 30 seconds. Its cone shape also reduces the amount of air required for pressurisation.
Patient handling and internal arrangement
The standard D.A.R.T. contains an aluminium patient stretcher measuring 2,000 x 480 mm. Adjustable straps and a feet bag secure the patient and allow transportation of the stretcher and patient in horizontal or vertical positions, including through manholes or with helicopter hoisting devices. The stretcher uses a fire-retardant black cover.
A rail construction with a runner guides the stretcher into the chamber. A locking hole at the lower end of the stretcher connects with a locking pin on the runner. After the stretcher passes through the entrance, a sliding plate moves the head end sideways and the system locks the stretcher into its transport position.
A foldable attendant seat sits beneath the guiding rail construction. The attendant can adjust the seat to different positions and, while seated, maintain access to the patient’s chest and head as well as the D.A.R.T. air and oxygen controls.
Breathing gas, air supply and chamber controls
The D.A.R.T. uses two independent air pressurisation systems with safety shut-off valves and a pressure relief valve. Two quick connect/disconnect couplings support the separate air supply systems and allow operators to exchange air supply bottles without interrupting the chamber air supply. The minimum operating pressure for these connections is 8 [bar]. One oxygen quick connect/disconnect coupling supplies oxygen to the BIBS masks or D.A.R.T.
The BIBS / oxygen make-up assembly uses a lightweight anodised aluminium penetration block with control valves and quick-disconnect couplings for 2+1 BIBS masks, including one spare connection. An oxygen make-up precision control valve supports use with the optional CO₂ scrubber. The BIBS supports overboard dump breathing masks until 18 [msw] and includes a reduced-pressure oxygen quick connect/disconnect coupling and an oxygen pressure gauge in the control panel.
The control panel contains the required pressure gauges, flowmeters and precision depth gauge, together with controls for pressurisation, depressurisation, flush rates and sampling. The precision depth gauge has 0.25% FS accuracy, a mirror scale, zero reset and a scale of 0–250 fsw / 0–76 msw.
Viewports, supply lock and emergency communication
Three viewports support observation inside the D.A.R.T.: one in the centre of the door and two along the longitudinal sides. Each viewport has a free diameter of 140 [mm].
The large supply lock forms part of the D.A.R.T. hull and includes an interlock system. Aluminium doors provide one-hand operation, and the lock allows passage of the CO₂ scrubber canister.
An offset-hinge entrance door minimises the interior space required when operators open or close the door. Quick-acting devices secure it in the open or closed position. The standard D.A.R.T. also contains a spare flange with blind plug and a spare penetrator, depending on the selected options.
For backup communication, two hammers support communication through knocking signals if the main communication system fails. One hammer sits inside the chamber and one sits on the control panel.
D.A.R.T. electrical packages
Electrical Package A forms part of the standard scope. It includes an internal LED lighting system with adjustable intensity, a two-wire electrical communicator with headset, boom microphone and push-to-talk switch, an electrical switch box, and a backup battery for critical life-support control equipment. The communicator operates on six 1.5 V batteries.
The electrical box accepts 230 VAC or an external 24 VDC power supply and controls the standard LED lighting as well as selected optional equipment. The backup battery uses two maintenance-free 12 Ah lead-gel batteries in series for a total system voltage of 24 VDC. The battery pack can operate the LED lighting for at least 40 hours or the CO₂ scrubber for 20 hours. Its polycarbonate housing carries an IP55 splash-water-proof rating.
Electrical Package B adds a compact CO₂ scrubber with a dual absorption cartridge and electrical fan. The package supplies two disposable Medisorb cartridges. It also adds an oxygen / CO₂ analyser with adjustable high and low alarm settings plus acoustic and visual alarms.
Electrical Package C adds the CO₂ scrubber and oxygen / CO₂ analyser from Package B together with a cooling system. The cooling system uses an internal heat exchanger, temperature sensor, display, temperature control module and electrically driven cold-water machine. The document specifies operation to maintain a comfortable temperature up to an ambient temperature of 40 [°C].
Electrical Package D adds the CO₂ scrubber, cooling device and a JUMO LOGOSCREEN 600. The LOGOSCREEN displays and records signals including pressure, temperature, humidity, oxygen and CO₂ percentage on a 5.7-inch TFT colour screen. It supports measured-value curves, bar graphs and alphanumeric process displays, includes PC evaluation software and stores measured data through USB. Package D also includes temperature and humidity transmitters plus oxygen / CO₂ transmitters.
A.T.E.L. – Attachable Transportable Entrance Lock
The A.T.E.L. connects directly to the D.A.R.T. and functions as its entrance lock. Its small dimensions and low weight support occupant transfer into or out of the D.A.R.T. while the D.A.R.T. remains under pressure. A fixed female STANAG bayonet flange provides the connection to the D.A.R.T. and complies with STANAG 1079.
The A.T.E.L. includes a foldable internal seat. From this position, the occupant can operate the air and oxygen manifolds. Four low-resistance transport wheels allow one person to move the A.T.E.L. over short distances, while handle bars on both sides support manoeuvring. A skid construction positions the chamber firmly on flat ground or paving for connection to the D.A.R.T., and operators can adjust the A.T.E.L. height on the skid by a maximum of 39 mm. Two lifting eyes provide lifting points.
A.T.E.L. gas supply and BIBS
The A.T.E.L. uses two independent air pressurisation systems with safety shut-off valves and a pressure relief valve. Two quick connect/disconnect couplings allow operators to exchange air supply bottles without interrupting the chamber air supply. The minimum operating pressure is 8 [bar]. One oxygen quick connect/disconnect coupling supplies the BIBS masks.
A connection hose set links the A.T.E.L. to the D.A.R.T. gas supply and contains one 2 m air hose with couplings and one 2 m oxygen hose with couplings.
The A.T.E.L. BIBS penetration block supports 1+1 BIBS masks, including a spare connection. It supports overboard dump breathing masks until 18 [msw] and includes a reduced-pressure oxygen quick connect coupling and an oxygen pressure gauge in the control panel.
A.T.E.L. observation, lighting and communication
One longitudinally mounted viewport provides observation and has a free diameter of 140 [mm]. Offset entrance-door hinges minimise the interior space required during opening and closing, while quick-acting devices secure the doors in the open or closed position.
Like the D.A.R.T., the standard A.T.E.L. includes a spare flange with blind plug, a spare penetrator depending on selected options and two emergency communication hammers for backup knocking signals.
An internal LED system provides adjustable illumination and receives power through the D.A.R.T. electrical switch box. A speaker inside the A.T.E.L. connects externally to the D.A.R.T. communicator.
Optional equipment for D.A.R.T. and A.T.E.L.
Hytech-Pommec lists a range of optional equipment for extending the D.A.R.T. and A.T.E.L. configuration.
Optional BIBS masks and HP gas supply
Optional BIBS masks let occupants breathe a gas other than the compartment atmosphere. Each mask includes an inhalation valve, an exhalation valve with overboard dump discharge / vent system and connection hoses with quick connect/disconnect male plugs. The document references IMCA D023 and specifies 2+1 spare masks for the D.A.R.T. and 1+1 spare masks for the A.T.E.L.
The optional D.A.R.T. HP dual pack includes one 40 litre, 200 bar HP oxygen cylinder, one 40 litre, 200 bar HP air cylinder, two 200–15 bar HP reducers and two connection hoses.
An additional HP air pack provides four 50 litre, max. 200 bar HP air cylinders, a manifold with pressure gauge, a 200–15 bar HP reducer, a wheeled cylinder rack, a 4 m air hose and a filling point.
The additional HP oxygen pack provides four 50 litre, max. 200 bar HP oxygen cylinders, a 2 m stainless-steel oxygen hose, manifold with pressure gauge, 200–7.5 bar HP reducer, wheeled cylinder rack, 4 m oxygen hose and filling point.
For the A.T.E.L., an optional hose set connects the additional HP air and oxygen packs and includes one 4 m air hose and one 4 m oxygen hose.
Firefighting, indicators and communication
Hytech-Pommec offers a 3 litre hyperbaric fire extinguisher for internal installation in either the D.A.R.T. or A.T.E.L.
An optional caisson indicator provides a digital compartment-pressure display for divers. The document explicitly states that this indicator does not serve decompression purposes.
The A.T.E.L. can also use its own two-wire Hytech-Pommec communicator with headset, boom microphone and push-to-talk switch. It operates on six 1.5 V batteries and connects to the A.T.E.L. speaker.
Covers, deck mounting and combined container
Separate canvas covers protect the D.A.R.T. and A.T.E.L. against rain and other environmental effects while the chambers remain out of operation.
An optional aluminium deck mounting frame with stainless-steel hardware secures the D.A.R.T. to a ship’s deck or truck bed while still allowing operators to loosen the chamber for transportation. The frame requires bolting to the deck or truck bed.
Hytech-Pommec also offers a lightweight container with enough internal volume for both the D.A.R.T. and A.T.E.L. A side-mounted roller shutter allows external operation while the chambers remain secured inside. Doors on both short sides provide direct A.T.E.L. access while retaining rapid D.A.R.T. deployment capability.
The container includes overhead lighting above the D.A.R.T. and A.T.E.L. control panels and operates from a 230 V, 50 Hz mains power supply. An aluminium frame with internally bonded plastic panels creates the enclosure. The document states that this container has no CSC or other certification.
CO₂ absorption, timer and climate options
Disposable CO₂ absorption cartridges contain 1.1 [kg] each. During normal operation, the document states that they keep CO₂ below 0.5% for at least four hours and below 1% for approximately six hours. The Package B CO₂ scrubber always requires two cartridges.
A reusable alternative uses a stainless-steel body with a POM cap and holds about 1.1 [kg] of adsorption agent. The user can fill it with an absorption agent of choice, and the scrubber requires two reusable canisters.
An optional Paterson digital countdown timer provides three timer stages that can run simultaneously or independently and uses an audible signal at the end of a timed period.
The optional HCygnus Tech reversible heat pump uses an air-cooled single refrigeration circuit for external use. It supplies cold or hot water to cool or heat the D.A.R.T. and replaces the cold-water machine from Electrical Package C when selected.
Certification
The standard D.A.R.T. complies with the PED (2014-68-EU) European Pressure Equipment Directive, while its pressure-vessel design follows European AD Merkblätter 2000 regulations. The standard A.T.E.L. also complies with PED and follows AD Merkblätter 2000 pressure-vessel design regulations; the document states that CE certification will accompany the A.T.E.L.
Optional Lloyd’s Registration Certification covers verification of correct D.A.R.T. / A.T.E.L. functioning during the Factory Acceptance Test and includes certification for piping and the electrical layout.
