AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ

CAS Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine 2025

A unique training programme in Switzerland that develops scientific knowledge in underwater and hyperbaric medicine in interaction with emergency medicine and occupational medicine. It opens the field to research.

Information

Period

October 2025 - September 2026
15 ECTS credits
230 Teaching hours

Language

English

Format

Blended learning

Contact

Christelle GERMANN
+41 (0)22 379 78 42
cashyperbare(at)unige.ch

Location

Geneva

Registration

Registration deadline

30 June 2025
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.-

Contribution to the SDGs

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

Physician

Learning outcomes

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

Programme

2 modules:

  • Module 1: Diving Medicine Physician, Level 2D ECHM
  • Module 2: Hyperbaric Medicine Physician, Level 2H ECHM

Internship
Final ExamÌý

Director(s)

Prof. Thibaut DESMETTRE, Faculty of Medicine, AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ

Coordinator(s)

Dr Pierre LOUGE and Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)

Accreditation

These 2 levels are recognised by the European College of Baromedicine (ECB / ECHM). The candidate is responsible for obtaining the different equivalences of certificates or diplomas.

Date(s)

9 October 2025
10 October 2025
11 October 2025
10 December 2025
11 December 2025
12 December 2025

Location

Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)

Fee

2700 CHF

Speakers

Dr Pierre Louge

Description

Topics

Adaptation to pressure
Introduction to diving medicine
Ability to dive
Diving: technique and decompression
Diving accidents
Management and treatment of diving accidents
Professional diving
Practical courses (5 days)

Skills

Ensure the medical evaluation of divers and other professionals working in hyperbaric environment (aptitude, advice)
Manage diving accidents (therapeutic, monitoring, requalification, prevention)

Exam

Exam Diving Medicine Physician : 7 March 2026 (on-site)

Planning

Application deadline: 30.06.2025

  • 9, 10 and 11 October 2025 (on-site)
  • 10, 11 and 12 December 2025 (online)
  • 30 and 31 January 2026 (online)

Ìý

Date(s)

16 March 2026
20 March 2026
21 March 2026
23 April 2026
24 April 2026
25 April 2026

Location

Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)

Fee

2400 CHF

Speakers

Dr Rodrigue Pignel

Description

Topics

Physiological aspects of HBOT
Indications of HBOT
Incidents and contraindications of HBOT
Organization and operation of a hyperbaric system
Practical courses — registration must be done at the beginning of the first semester (8 days)

Skills

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

Exam

3 June 2026 (on-site)
Ìý

Final work presentation

11 September 2026 (online)

This module can only accept up to 20 candidates.

Planning

Application deadline: 15.02.2026

  • 16 March 2026 (online)
  • 20 March 2026 (Lille, France) Switzerland/France international training day
  • 21 March 2026 (Lille, France) Optional but recommended – Hyperbaric Medicine and Diving Congress
  • 23, 24 and 25 April 2026 (on-site)
    Ìý

Admission criteria

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

Steering committee

Director

  • Prof. Thibaut DESMETTRE, Emergency Department of Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG), Department of Acute Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ

Experts

  • Dr Pierre LOUGE , Deputy Physician, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, HUG
  • Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Deputy Physician in charge of the Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)

Members

  • Prof. Sylvain BOET, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacy and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ
  • Prof. Laszlo VUTSKITS, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacy and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ
  • Dr Jérôme STIRNEMANN, General Intern Medicine Department, Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)

Scientific committee

  • Dr Jean-Yves BERNEY, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)
  • Dr Rodrigue PIGNEL, Physician in charge of the Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)
  • Dr Pierre LOUGE, Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Department, Department of Acute Medicine, Geneva AV¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hospitals (HUG)
  • Dr Benoit DESGRAZ, Cardiology Service, Cardiovascular Department HUG

Number of participants

Max. 20

Researchers and professors of the Universities, experts of the field at the Swiss and international level:

  • Prof. C. Balestra, Brussels, Belgium
  • Prof. J.-E. Blatteau, Toulon, France
  • Dr M. Gelsomino, Basel, Switzerland
  • Dr P. Germonpré, Brussels, Belgium

Contribution to the SDGs