A History of Hyperbaric Medicine -- A History of Hyperbaric Medicine -- Physical and Pathophysiological Bases of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy -- Physics of Hyperbaric Pressure -- Biochemistry of Oxygen -- Physiologic Effects of Increased Barometric Pressure -- Physiologic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Oxygen Transport and Tissue Oxygen Pressure -- Physiologic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Hemodynamics and Microcirculation -- Physiologic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Microorganisms and Host Defences Against Infection -- Physiologic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Ischemia-Reperfusion Phenomenon -- Physiologic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Wound Healing Processes -- Physiologic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on DAN and DNA Repair - Genotoxicity of Hyperbaric Oxygen and its Prevention -- Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy -- Methodology for Assessing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Clinical Practice -- Dysbaric Illness -- Gas Embolism -- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning -- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections -- Intra-Cranial Abscess -- Crush Injury and Other Acute Traumatic Ischemia -- Compromised Skin Graft and Flap -- Radio-Induced Lesion in Normal Tissues -- Non-Healing Wounds -- Persistent Osteomyelitis -- Sudden Deafness -- Neuroblastoma -- Burns -- Anoxic Encephalopathy -- Pleuropulmonary Anaerobic Infections -- Post Vascular Procedure Reperfusion Syndrome and Limb Replantation -- Acute Ischemic Ophthalmological Disorders -- Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis -- Femoral Head Necrosis -- Cerebrovascular Incidents (Stroke) -- Post-Sternotomy Mediastinitis -- Sickle Cell Disease -- Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury -- Myocardial Infarction -- Malignant Otitis Externa -- Other Controversial or Non Indications -- Practice of Hyperbaric Medicine -- Hyperbaric Chamber and Equipment -- Organization of a Hyperbaric Centre -- Patient Management -- A Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy -- Education and Training of Hyperbaric Centre Personnel -- Safety in Hyperbaric Medicine -- Barotraumatism -- Oxygen Toxicity -- Organization of Hyperbaric Medicine in Europe -- Research in Hyperbaric Medicine. It is now ten years since the first Handbook on Hyperbaric Medicine was published. During this time there have been many major advances: our understanding of the actions of hyperbaric oxygenation, and the pathophysiological processes it engages, have been elucidated by several studies; clinical practice is becoming more scientific with the application of evidence-based medicine (EBM) principles and the appearance of a number of randomised clinical trials; various consensus-derived organisational and operational recommendations and guidelines have become normative and are now widely accepted. For the European part, these positive developments are largely due to the continuous action of the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM) - the springboard of many of these initiatives. One of the most successful initiatives was the start of a specific European research action sponsored by the EU Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) programme. The specific COST Action for hyperbaric medicine, COST B14, has been completed and, in combination with the results of a number of experimental and clinical studies performed over the last 6 years, has provided the impetus for the publication of this new Handbook. The final product is a reference document for researchers and clinicians alike, to be used both in the research laboratory and in everyday hyperbaric clinical practice. It also provides support material for teachers and will assist students in obtaining ECHM level II and III qualifications in hyperbaric medicine. This Handbook will be of excellent use for the international scientific community.