The Tragic Death of Thomas Cooper and the Call for Hyperbaric Chamber Oversight

Introduction to the Tragedy and Its Aftermath

The death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper in a hyperbaric chamber at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, has shocked the nation and raised urgent questions about the lack of regulation in the wellness industry. On January 31, a fire broke out in the chamber during Thomas’s treatment, killing him within seconds. The Oxford Center, an alternative medicine clinic, had been using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to treat conditions such as sleep apnea and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Thomas, neither of which are FDA-approved uses for the therapy.

Following the tragedy, the founder and CEO of the Oxford Center, along with three employees, were charged in connection with Thomas’s death. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized the center for prioritizing safety as “among their lowest considerations.” The incident has exposed a glaring gap in oversight of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, particularly in alternative wellness centers that operate outside the realm of traditional healthcare.

What Are Hyperbaric Chambers, and How Do They Work?

Hyperbaric chambers are pressurized, tube-like devices where individuals lie or sit to inhale 100% oxygen. This therapy is FDA-approved for treating over a dozen conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning, severe wounds, and decompression sickness in scuba divers. However, many wellness centers, like the Oxford Center, use hyperbaric chambers for unapproved conditions such as autism, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. While this is not illegal, it highlights the lack of accountability in the industry.

The oxygen-rich environment created by hyperbaric chambers can be highly combustible, making fires a rare but deadly risk. The Oxford Center’s website listed over 100 conditions it claimed to treat, many of which lack scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of HBOT. In a statement, the center’s attorney expressed disappointment over the charges, arguing that the timing was premature and that key questions about the fire’s cause remained unanswered.

Regulatory Gaps in the Wellness Industry

The wellness industry, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, operates largely without oversight. Michigan law does not require any regulatory supervision of hyperbaric chambers, leaving facilities like the Oxford Center to operate with minimal scrutiny. The center was inspected periodically by the Troy Fire Department, but these inspections focused solely on fire and life safety, not the operation or maintenance of the chambers themselves.

This lack of regulation is not unique to Michigan. Across the U.S., thousands of spas, wellness companies, and clinics use hyperbaric chambers without accreditation. The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, a nonprofit organization, accredits facilities voluntarily, but the process is expensive and not mandatory. John Peters, the society’s executive director, estimates that only about 150 facilities nationwide are accredited, leaving many operating without proper safety standards.

Legislative Efforts to Address the Issue

In response to Thomas’s death, Michigan lawmakers are calling for change. State Senator Stephanie Chang and Representative Sharon MacDonell are drafting legislation to regulate hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Chang expressed alarm over the systemic failures that led to the tragedy, including the lack of a properly trained technician operating the chamber. The proposed legislation aims to fill these loopholes and ensure safer practices.

MacDonell emphasized the need not only to improve safety but also to curb unproven claims made by wellness centers about the benefits of HBOT. She criticized businesses for exploiting desperate parents of children with difficult-to-treat conditions, calling it “incomprehensible.” The lawmakers hope to introduce their bill in the spring, marking a step toward much-needed reform.

The Broader Context of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has gained popularity in recent years, fueled in part by celebrity endorsements touting its benefits for anti-aging and mental health. While the therapy is rare, the risk of fire is not unprecedented. In 2009, a 4-year-old and his grandmother died in a similar incident at an unaccredited Florida clinic. Despite that tragedy, no national safety regulations were enacted. Peters hopes that Thomas’s death will serve as a turning point, urging mandatory accreditation to prevent future incidents.

Conclusion: The Need for Accountability and Reform

Thomas Cooper’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of unregulated hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The wellness industry’s lack of oversight has allowed centers like the Oxford Center to operate with little accountability, putting lives at risk. While hospitals and accredited facilities adhere to strict safety standards, alternative wellness centers often bypass these measures, prioritizing profit over patient safety.

The FDA, while regulating hyperbaric chambers as medical devices, does not oversee the practice of medicine, leaving a void in accountability. Without mandatory accreditation and stricter regulations, the risk of another tragedy remains. As legislators work to address these gaps, the hope is that Thomas’s death will not be in vain. His story underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy industry to protect vulnerable patients and their families.

In the end, the call for oversight is not just about safety; it’s about ensuring that desperate families are not exploited by unproven claims and that therapies like HBOT are used responsibly. The time to act is now, before another life is lost.