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Oxygen Concentrators and Compressors: How a Home Chamber Actually Works
September 27, 2026 3 min read
Short answer: A soft-shell chamber system has three jobs: raise the pressure with an air compressor, hold and vent that pressure safely with valves and gauges, and supply oxygen from an oxygen concentrator that you breathe through a mask. Whether the concentrator comes with the chamber depends on the brand and model. Summit to Sea specifies a 10 LPM at 20 PSI oxygen generator that is required and not included, Newtowne lists its concentrator as an optional add-on, and Macy-Pan, OxyRevo and Oxyair list a concentrator with their chambers. Always check the listing.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Details come from product listings. Educational only, not medical advice. See our disclaimer. The manufacturer's manual overrides anything here.
The parts
Air compressor
The compressor pushes filtered air into the chamber until it reaches its working pressure. Summit to Sea models use dual (redundant) compressors, sound suppression and in-line filtration. Newtowne lists 80 L or 120 L compressors with filtration and a power outage alarm. Macy-Pan, OxyRevo and Oxyair supply compressors as part of the system, and some combine the compressor and concentrator in one unit. Ask any brand how many compressors it has, whether they are redundant, and how loud they are.
Valves and pressure relief
Valves let air out as fresh air flows in, and relief valves cap the pressure. Summit to Sea describes a double vent system and preprogrammed valves that hold 4.4 PSI (1.3 ATA). Newtowne lists dual redundant relief valves. Higher-rated chambers, such as the 1.4 to 1.5 ATA soft chambers and the 2.0 ATA hard-shell chambers, need safety valves rated for their pressure.
Gauges and alarms
Internal and external pressure gauges let you see what the chamber is doing. Summit to Sea includes gauges or monitors and a power-monitoring alarm. Newtowne sells an internal pressure gauge for the C4-27 as an accessory.
The oxygen concentrator
An oxygen concentrator (also called an oxygen generator) pulls in room air and separates out most of the nitrogen, leaving a higher oxygen concentration. You breathe it through a mask or cannula while the chamber itself is pressurized with air. Newtowne states never to pressurize the chamber with oxygen. Flow rate matters: listings we carry mention 5 LPM, 10 LPM and larger units.
Where the oxygen comes from, by brand
| Brand | What the listings say |
|---|---|
| Summit to Sea | A 10 LPM at 20 PSI oxygen generator is required and is not included. |
| Newtowne Hyperbarics | The concentrator is not included and is an optional add-on. Newtowne recommends a 10 L unit at 7 to 9 LPM. Some models include an oxygen kit (valve, hose, mask and cannula) in the box. |
| Macy-Pan | Soft models list a 5 LPM concentrator (93% oxygen) with an integrated compressor, and a 10 LPM concentrator for 1.5 ATA models or as an upgrade. The HE5000 Fort generates oxygen on board. |
| OxyRevo | Soft models list a 10 L/min concentrator delivering 90 to 97% oxygen. The Quest34 and Quest36 hard-shell chambers list a built-in 10 L/min concentrator. |
| Oxyair | The OLV-RZ01 and RZT01 list a 2-in-1 concentrator and compressor (93% ± 3% at 10 L/min). The OLV-YTD02 lists a medical-grade concentrator at 93% through a mask, and the OLV-YZM01 lists two 20 L concentrators, a compressor and air conditioning. |
| Titan Hyperbarics | The SMART system controls airflow and oxygen delivery. Check the listing for what is included. |
See every chamber we carry for the model list.
What to check
- Is an oxygen concentrator included, optional or not included, and at what flow rate?
- The flow and pressure the manufacturer specifies for the chamber. A unit that does not meet the specification may not work with it.
- How many people the concentrator can support if you plan to share.
- Where the concentrator should sit: ventilated, away from heat and flames.
- Noise, power draw and maintenance for the compressor and concentrator.
- Spare parts and service support.
Safety reminders
- Oxygen-enriched air raises fire risk. Keep ignition sources away.
- Per the manufacturer, a prescription is required to purchase Summit to Sea and Newtowne chambers. Check the requirement for every other brand.
- See hyperbaric chamber safety.
Frequently asked questions
Does a hyperbaric chamber come with an oxygen concentrator?
It depends on the brand. Summit to Sea does not include one and Newtowne lists one as an optional add-on, while Macy-Pan, OxyRevo and Oxyair list a concentrator with their chambers. Check each listing.
What oxygen generator does a Summit to Sea chamber need?
Summit to Sea specifies a 10 LPM at 20 PSI oxygen generator, which is required and sold separately.
Why do chambers have two compressors?
Redundant compressors add a layer of safety, because if one fails the other can keep the chamber running.
Compare systems in Every Hyperbaric Chamber We Carry or ask our team.