Method and apparatus for collecting and decompressing live specimens with a submersible hyperbaric chamber

A method of collecting and decompressing one or more live specimens from a relatively high-pressure environment, the method comprising:

• providing at least one hyperbaric chamber with an inner jar insertable into an outer jar and respectively dimensioning the inner jar and the outer jar to leave an annular gap between the inner jar and the outer jar when the inner jar is inserted into the outer jar;
• collecting and placing the one or more live specimens in the inner jar at a first location, via an opening in the inner jar;
• moving the at least one hyperbaric chamber to a second location and inserting the inner jar into the outer jar;
• attaching a chamber cap on a first outer end of the outer jar, the chamber cap having a first port and a second port;
• moving the at least one hyperbaric chamber to a third location and supplying a pressurized fluid to the at least one hyperbaric chamber;
• providing a first inner end and a second inner end of the inner jar with a first set of holes and a second set of holes, respectively, such that the pressurized fluid enters the inner jar through the first set of holes in a first direction and exits the inner jar through the second set of holes;
• configuring the annular gap as a return path for the pressurized fluid exiting the second set of holes to travel in a second direction opposing the first direction;
• operatively connecting at least one pressure control valve to the at least one hyperbaric chamber, the at least one pressure control valve being configured to control an internal pressure of the hyperbaric chamber;
• and
• decompressing the one or more live specimens by selectively adjusting the at least one pressure control valve.