Divergirl4U
Contributor
This is a horrible event, that poor child :depressed:
Hyperbaric Chamber explosion? in Fort Lauderdale
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I feel for the little one. I have been blown up before. Literally. Not just a little burn but blown up. Mine landed me in the hospital for a few days and in recovery for about 5 weeks. I can say this about getting blown up. It is horrific pain that I wouldn't wish on anyone!!!!!!!! They have my deepest simpathy and my thoughts and prayers go out for them.
More Bad/Sad News
Woman dies a day after explosion at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hyperbaric clinic
Italian woman's death is first from oxygen chamber in U.S.; 4-year-old boy remains in critical condition
By Rachel Hatzipanagos | South Florida Sun Sentinel 5:47 PM EDT, May 2, 2009 LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA - A 62-year-old Italian tourist badly burned in an explosion at a Lauderdale-By-The-Sea clinic died this morning. Her 4-year-old grandson, who was with her in the private clinic's oxygen chamber, remains in critical condition.
The cause of Friday's explosion at the Ocean Hyperbaric Oxygen Neurologic Center is under investigation, officials said. Three of the hyperbaric chambers were taken as evidence and will be looked over by experts, said Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman Mike Jachles.
The victims were identified by the Sheriff's Office today as Vincenza Pesce and Franchesco Martinizi, both of Italy.
Pesce's death was the first from an oxygen chamber explosion in the United States, industry officials said.
Related links
"These treatments have been around for 50 years and it's a very safe treatment if done correctly," said Hope Fine, who owns and operates a Deerfield Beach hyperbaric clinic called the South Florida Center for H.O.P.E.. Oxygen chambers, also called hyperbaric chambers, are commonly used to treat diving injuries, and various other illnesses and wounds.
Pesce and Martinizi were flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit Friday. They both had serious burns over 90 percent of their bodies. Family from Italy have traveled to South Florida to visit them, Jachles said.
There are about a half-dozen free-standing hyperbaric clinics in South Florida, said Shannon Kenitz, director of the Hacienda Heights, Calif.-based International Hyperbarics Association, which issues safety guidelines for clinics. About four of South Florida's hyperbaric clinics are approved by the IHA, Kenitz said; the center where the explosion occurred is not among them.
Unless a clinic is approved as a Medicare provider, there is no state regulation of the centers, Fine said.
The types of chambers used at the clinic appeared to be older chambers, Jachles said. Investigators do not yet know if any charges will be filed.
Individual clinics are required to keep track of maintenance records, Fine said. She said she urges patients seeking treatment to request the clinic's maintenance records for the chambers. The manufacturer of her equipment preforms once-a-year maintenance, Fine said.
"The particular chamber that they showed on the news they haven't made in 30 years," she said.
The center was founded in 1972 by Dr. Richard Neubauer, who died in 2007. Corporate records list his widow, Winnie, 83, of Pompano Beach, as its current manager. She could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Staff Writers Rafael Olmeda, Mike Clary and Alexia Campbell contributed to this report. Rachel Hatzipanagos can be reached at rhatzipanagos@SunSentinel.com or 954-385-7946.
Woman dies a day after explosion at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hyperbaric clinic
Italian woman's death is first from oxygen chamber in U.S.; 4-year-old boy remains in critical condition
By Rachel Hatzipanagos | South Florida Sun Sentinel 5:47 PM EDT, May 2, 2009 LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA - A 62-year-old Italian tourist badly burned in an explosion at a Lauderdale-By-The-Sea clinic died this morning. Her 4-year-old grandson, who was with her in the private clinic's oxygen chamber, remains in critical condition.
The cause of Friday's explosion at the Ocean Hyperbaric Oxygen Neurologic Center is under investigation, officials said. Three of the hyperbaric chambers were taken as evidence and will be looked over by experts, said Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman Mike Jachles.
The victims were identified by the Sheriff's Office today as Vincenza Pesce and Franchesco Martinizi, both of Italy.
Pesce's death was the first from an oxygen chamber explosion in the United States, industry officials said.
Related links
- Explosion at hyperbaric chamber center Photos
- Ocean Hyperbaric Oxygen Neurologic Center Map
Explosion Photo
"These treatments have been around for 50 years and it's a very safe treatment if done correctly," said Hope Fine, who owns and operates a Deerfield Beach hyperbaric clinic called the South Florida Center for H.O.P.E.. Oxygen chambers, also called hyperbaric chambers, are commonly used to treat diving injuries, and various other illnesses and wounds.
Pesce and Martinizi were flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit Friday. They both had serious burns over 90 percent of their bodies. Family from Italy have traveled to South Florida to visit them, Jachles said.
There are about a half-dozen free-standing hyperbaric clinics in South Florida, said Shannon Kenitz, director of the Hacienda Heights, Calif.-based International Hyperbarics Association, which issues safety guidelines for clinics. About four of South Florida's hyperbaric clinics are approved by the IHA, Kenitz said; the center where the explosion occurred is not among them.
Unless a clinic is approved as a Medicare provider, there is no state regulation of the centers, Fine said.
The types of chambers used at the clinic appeared to be older chambers, Jachles said. Investigators do not yet know if any charges will be filed.
Individual clinics are required to keep track of maintenance records, Fine said. She said she urges patients seeking treatment to request the clinic's maintenance records for the chambers. The manufacturer of her equipment preforms once-a-year maintenance, Fine said.
"The particular chamber that they showed on the news they haven't made in 30 years," she said.
The center was founded in 1972 by Dr. Richard Neubauer, who died in 2007. Corporate records list his widow, Winnie, 83, of Pompano Beach, as its current manager. She could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Staff Writers Rafael Olmeda, Mike Clary and Alexia Campbell contributed to this report. Rachel Hatzipanagos can be reached at rhatzipanagos@SunSentinel.com or 954-385-7946.
olice:
stinggirl
Guest
Just curious.. How were you blown up??
MSPDiver
Contributor
My heart goes out to the victims of this incident. As for the deputy, that ran in there - thats balls up effort- excellent job. The boy is still alive because of you.
[GOOGLE][/GOOGLE]
I was working with a gas company filling a propane tank on a consession stand and someone left the pilot lights on inside. When the gas hit the system it created a fireball inside the stand and exploded out through the walls and windows. I was about one foot from the fire as it come out of the building and I was surrounded by the flames.
Thats the nutshell version. When I met you in person I will tell you the story in detail. It just too much to type.
I was working with a gas company filling a propane tank on a consession stand and someone left the pilot lights on inside. When the gas hit the system it created a fireball inside the stand and exploded out through the walls and windows. I was about one foot from the fire as it come out of the building and I was surrounded by the flames.
Thats the nutshell version. When I met you in person I will tell you the story in detail. It just too much to type.
stinggirl
Guest
Ok. Maybe at next months m&g at carrimark. If you will be attending.
stinggirl
Guest
ok. I think the last time I saw you was in Brandon last year for a m&g. Off topic, if I understand it correctly. do you work at the aquarium downtown tampa? Either way I've been meaning to go but haven't. Going to go soon. I move here from Miami 14 yrs ago. Been putting off too long.
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