Central Gili Air, near the harbor
★ 4.9(127 reviews)
Dive Medic Gili Air operates the Divers Alert Network (DAN) hyperbaric chamber serving the Gili Islands, Lombok, and east Bali dive zones. The only chamber within emergency reach for decompression sickness in this region. 24/7 emergency contact; treatment cost typically covered by DAN insurance.
# Dive Medic Gili Air: Lombok's Hyperbaric Lifeline
Decompression sickness ("the bends") and arterial gas embolism are real risks of diving the Gili Islands, Lombok's surrounding waters, and east Bali sites. Treatment requires a hyperbaric chamber — a pressurized vessel that re-dissolves nitrogen bubbles formed during ascent and prevents permanent neurological damage.
The Dive Medic Gili Air chamber is the only such facility in the entire Lombok–east Bali region. Without it, divers needing chamber treatment would face evacuation to Sanglah Hospital in south Bali (3+ hours by speedboat plus ambulance) or further. The chamber's existence on Gili Air dramatically improves outcomes for diving emergencies in this region.
Dive Medic Gili Air is operated under the Divers Alert Network (DAN) Asia-Pacific framework, with chamber staff trained in hyperbaric medicine specifically. The chamber meets international standards for emergency treatment and is recognized by all major diving certification agencies (PADI, SSI, RAID, NAUI) and dive insurance providers.
Primary cases:
Pre-trip dive medical examinations:
Dive medical consultations:
Hyperbaric treatment is expensive when paid out of pocket:
These costs are why dive insurance is critical:
Immediately (within 30 minutes of symptom onset):
The "delay-and-see" approach is dangerous with DCS. Symptoms that seem mild can rapidly worsen, and earlier treatment correlates strongly with better outcomes.
If you suspect DCS or AGE:
1. Stop diving immediately. Do not re-enter the water.
2. Administer 100% oxygen if available (most dive operators carry it).
3. Call Dive Medic Gili Air: +62 813 3700 8050 (24/7).
4. Stay hydrated — drink water if conscious.
5. Lie down in a horizontal position.
6. Get to the chamber via the fastest available transport.
If you're on Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno, the dive operator will arrange immediate boat transfer (typically 5–10 minutes by fast boat).
If you're elsewhere on Lombok or east Bali, the dive operator coordinates emergency boat charter to Gili Air. Time is critical — typical end-to-end response time from Senggigi or Lombok dive sites is 60–120 minutes.
For divers traveling to Lombok:
1. Get DAN insurance before your trip. The annual cost is small relative to the protection.
2. Save Dive Medic contact details in your phone: +62 813 3700 8050.
3. Verify your dive operator has emergency oxygen on every dive boat.
4. Know your nitrogen exposure — use a dive computer, follow conservative profiles, do safety stops.
5. Hydrate before, during, and after every dive.
6. Avoid diving with a cold or congestion — increases barotrauma risk.
The chamber treats decompression-related conditions specifically. It is not:
Location: Central Gili Air, signed from the harbor. The chamber facility is purpose-built and clearly marked.
Hours: 24/7 emergency response. Consultation appointments daytime only.
Payment: DAN insurance direct billing for members. Other insurance: typically reimbursement after submission. Cash IDR/USD or wire transfer for self-pay cases. The chamber will treat first and resolve payment after for genuine emergencies.
Transport from outside Gili Air: Dive operators coordinate boat transfer. From Bangsal harbor: 25 minutes by public boat, 15 minutes by speedboat charter. From east Bali: 2–3 hours by speedboat depending on conditions.
Every diver visiting Lombok should:
1. Save the chamber number in their phone before arrival.
2. Confirm DAN or equivalent dive insurance is current.
3. Ask their dive operator about emergency oxygen on dive boats.
4. Know that symptom onset within 24 hours of a dive should trigger immediate chamber contact.
For non-divers, the chamber is irrelevant. For divers, knowing it exists, knowing how to reach it, and knowing the response protocol can be the difference between full recovery and permanent neurological injury.