SOS Group

What SOS Group does

SOS Group is a UK-based private manufacturer of portable hyperbaric chambers, tracing its origins to S.O.S. Diving Equipment Limited in the 1950s and pivoting to flexible pressure vessel technology in 1986 with the first chamber launched in 1987. The company's differentiator is its patented flexible braided tube construction using multi-layered textiles, which produces chambers substantially lighter than conventional metallic designs: the Hyperlite 1 weighs 50 kg, the SL3 weighs 390 kg, and the DL5 weighs over 700 kg combined, all compliant with ASME PVHO-1 standards (Case 12 and Case 18 respectively). This architecture supports rapid deployment (treatment in as little as 15 minutes from case), transfer-under-pressure capability, and operation at high altitudes—all of which are critical for austere military, naval, and emergency-response environments where fixed hyperbaric facilities are unavailable.

The company sells directly to military, government, search-and-rescue, firefighting, high-altitude operations, and commercial diving customers in over 30 countries, with offices in London, Aylesbury, Singapore, and Naxxar (Malta). Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of Hyperlite chambers and complementary gas storage and monitoring systems, recurring servicing and maintenance contracts (including a 365-day no-down-time programme), and professional training courses delivered in partnership with DDRC Professional Services. Pricing is exclusively quote-based, reflecting the customized specification of each chamber for intended application and frequency of use. The firm holds US Navy preferred-unit status (since 1997), full US DoD certification (2003), ISO 13485, FDA, CE Mark, UKCA, and Health Canada approvals, and exercises influence over international submarine escape and rescue standards through NATO SMERWG and ISMERLO participation.

Name

SOS Group

Legal name

SOS Group of Companies

Website

https://sosgroup.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SOS Group manufactures patented portable flexible hyperbaric chambers (Hyperlite 1, SL3, DL5) for military, government, search-and-rescue, and commercial diving customers across 30+ countries, complemented by monitoring systems, training, and aftermarket services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hyperbaric Chambers

NAICS

Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing (3324)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Pressure Vessels, Columns & Storage Tanks (ASME/Process Vessels) (IMAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Submarine Systems & Components (Pressure Hull, Ballast, Life Support) (IMABAKAL)

Keywords

• Portable hyperbaric chambers
• Flexible pressure vessels
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy equipment
• Emergency medical devices
• Diving safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hyperbaric Chamber Sales: Direct sales of portable hyperbaric chambers including Hyperlite 1, SL3, and DL5 models. Customized solutions built to customer specification for intended application and frequency of use.
2. Servicing & Maintenance Services: Preventative maintenance, recalibration services, and No Down-time Servicing & Maintenance Package with annual component calibration and replacement.
3. Training Programs: Comprehensive operational and medical training programs including Basic Operator Course (16 hours/2 days) and Operator and Patient Care Course (40 hours/5 days) in partnership with DDRC Professional Services.
4. Gas Storage Systems: Modular gas storage solutions built to customer specification including carbon fibre cylinders, cylinder banks, and harness-mounted packages.
5. Monitoring Systems: Chamber Monitoring Systems and CDRS Software for real-time assessment of chamber parameters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SOS Group designs, manufactures, and sells lightweight portable hyperbaric chambers (Hyperlite 1, SL3, DL5) using patented flexible braided tube pressure vessel technology, along with complementary gas storage systems, chamber monitoring systems, and related servicing, training, and R&D services. The chambers are engineered for rapid front-line deployment by military, government, search & rescue, firefighting, and commercial diving customers in remote or austere environments.

Product overview

SOS Group offers a portfolio of portable hyperbaric chamber systems designed for emergency and field deployment. The core products are the Hyperlite 1 (single-occupant, 2.3 Bar), Hyperlite SL3 (multi-occupant single-lock, 3-5 Bar), and Hyperlite DL5 (multi-occupant double-lock, 5 Bar). These lightweight, flexible pressure vessel chambers are complemented by Gas Storage Systems and Chamber Monitoring Systems (CMS). The company provides integrated services including Training and Servicing & Maintenance, supported by internal Research & Development capabilities for continuous product innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hyperlite: Portable hyperbaric chamber product line including Hyperlite 1, Hyperlite SL3, and Hyperlite DL5 models.

Products and services

• Hyperlite 1 World's lightest portable single-occupant hyperbaric chamber with a 50 kg pressure vessel, 2.3 Bar(g) / 3.3 ATA max operating pressure, capable of 100% HBO therapy including the US Navy TT6 Dive Table, and designed for transfer-under-pressure at altitudes up to 5,300m. Sold to military, government, and commercial diving customers.
• Hyperlite SL3 ASME PVHO-1 Case 18 compliant lightweight single-lock hyperbaric chamber for 2–3 occupants, using patented flexible braided tube technology in a single fold-out case. Supports full on-site treatment and transport for multiple scenarios, with hands-on medical attention capability during treatment. Sold to military and emergency services buyers.
• Hyperlite DL5 ASME PVHO-1 Case 18 compliant foldable, modular, lightweight double-lock hyperbaric chamber with Main Lock (~250cm) and Entry Lock (~100cm) supporting 3–4 occupants at up to 5 Bar(g) / 6 ATA. Designed for full on-site treatment with hands-on medical care capability; tested for bullet impact resistance with controlled depressurization. Sold to military, naval, and emergency response customers.
• Gas Storage Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• Treatment can begin within 15 minutes of assembly from compact boxes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DDRC Professional Services (Diving Diseases Research Centre, Plymouth, UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DDRC Professional Services for delivery of comprehensive Hyperlite Operator and Patient Care Course. The 40-hour/5-day training program covers hyperbaric chamber operation, hyperbaric medicine fundamentals, decompression illness recognition, and emergency procedures. DDRC provides the clinical expertise while SOS provides the equipment and operational training.
• Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG)coreOthersSOS Group regularly attends NATO Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group meetings, contributing to the development of international submarine escape and rescue protocols and standards.
• International Submarine Escape & Rescue Liaison Organisation (ISMERLO)coreOthersEstablished after the Kursk disaster in 2000, ISMERLO coordinates international submarine rescue missions. SOS Group supports this organization with hyperbaric chamber capabilities.
• Stena Offshore & AmocominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted live trial in November 1991 demonstrating use of Hyperlite 1 Hyperbaric Chamber for transport under pressure of injured diver from offshore rig to on-land facility.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dräger: German global leader in medical and safety technology with broad portfolio including anesthesia, respiratory protection, and diving/hyperbaric equipment. Overlaps with SOS Group in hyperbaric and life-support equipment for defense and emergency response but operates at much larger scale across many product categories.
• Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC): US-listed company that designs and manufactures hyperbaric chambers alongside aerospace simulation, sterilization, and environmental testing systems. Broader incumbent in hyperbaric chambers with larger scale and more diverse customer base than SOS Group.

Direct peers

• Perry Baromedical: Manufacturer of hyperbaric chambers including monoplace and multiplace systems serving hospitals, wound care centers, and military applications. Direct peer to SOS Group in the hyperbaric chamber category with overlapping customer base in medical and defense markets.
• Fink Engineering: Australia-based specialist in hyperbaric systems, recompression chambers, and life-support equipment with strong focus on military and commercial diving applications. Closely comparable to SOS Group in portable/mobile hyperbaric chamber technology for defense and diving customers.
• OxyHealth: Manufacturer of portable hyperbaric chambers including soft-shell chambers targeted at wellness, recovery, and home-use markets. Comparable to SOS Group in portable chamber technology but serves a more consumer/wellness customer base rather than military/emergency applications.
• Haux-Life-Support: German manufacturer of hyperbaric pressure chamber systems for medical, military, and diving applications including recompression chambers and pressure vessel testing systems. Direct peer in the pressure vessel for human occupancy category serving defense and medical markets.
• Sechrist Industries: US-based manufacturer of hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers widely used in hospitals and clinics. Directly comparable to SOS Group as a hyperbaric chamber manufacturer, though Sechrist focuses more on monoplace chambers for fixed installations rather than portable field-deployed units.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soshyperlite
• Facebookfacebook.com/sosgroupglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9487742
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesosgroup/?hl=en-gb

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOS Group