United States of America

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20580

Serena Viswanathan

Associate Director

Division of Advertising Practices

February 22, 2022

CEASE AND DESIST DEMAND

VIA EMAIL TO info@ohanahyperbarics.com

Ohana Hyperbarics

525 5th Ave. S

Suite 102 

Edmonds, WA 98020

Re: Unsubstantiated claims for Coronavirus treatment

To Whom It May Concern:

This is to advise you that FTC staff has reviewed your website at 

https://www.ohanahyperbarics.com in January 2022. We also reviewed your social media 

websites at https://www.facebook.com/OhanaHyperbarics, https://twitter.com/OhanaHBOT, and 

https://www.instagram.com/ohanahyperbarics/, where you direct consumers to your website 

https://ohanahyperbarics.com/ and invite them book appointments for hyperbaric therapy

treatments (HBOT). We have determined that you are unlawfully advertising that certain 

services treat or prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Some examples of Coronavirus prevention or treatment claims on your website 

https://www.ohanahyperbarics.com include:

• On the webpage https://ohanahyperbarics.com/covid-19-information, accessible by 

selecting “COVID-19 Information” in your website navigation menu or by clicking on 

the link in your Instagram account bio, you state:

“Hopeful Research

We at Ohana would encourage hospitals and hyperbaric facilities with proper 

infection control measures to consider helping those suffering with severe COVID 

infection. Research around the US and Internationally is showing excellent results for 

those suffering with COVID-19 being treated with hyperbaric therapy. Currently the 
Ohana Hyperbarics

February 22, 2022

Page 2

survival rate for those in serious and critical condition is 90% when treated with 

hyperbarics. 

The first case report out of Wuhan that demonstrated successful treatment of critical 

and severe patients using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). With just four to 

seven treatments lasting 2 hours each at 1.6 ATA of pressure. This team showed 

drastic lasting improvements in SPO2 and lung functions and ultimate survival of 

each patient.

‘Clinical reports and pathologic anatomic findings shown, progressive hypoxemia is 

the main cause of deterioration in patients with COVID-19. “The mortality rate of 

critical patients in WuHan is close to 60%, and we are trying to solve the problem of 

hypoxia,” Zhong Nanshan said on 27th Feb. HBOT is the strongest non-invasive 

oxygen therapy. In the early stage, 5 cases of severe and critical patients with 

COVID-19 were clinically treated, which proved that the long-term excellent clinical 

effect of using HBOT in treating hypoxia was also applicable to COVID-19 patients. 

The effect of HBOT is better than breathing atmospheric high flow oxygen and 

mechanical ventilation techniques. It is suggested that promote [sic] HBOT as an 

oxygen therapy treatment for critically ill patients with COVID-19, which is 

expected to significantly improve the treatment efficiency, reduce [sic] the medical 

pressure and the risk of infection, and decrease the mortality rate of critical patients. 

It has practical significance for further accelerating the overall victory of this 

epidemic, achieving the most effective treatment and realizing infection prevention 

control.’

Zhong Xangling, the director of the Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Wuhan 

Yangtze River Shipping General Hospital

Please see Doctor Harch’s explaination [sic] of HBOT for Covid-19: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZydVlRIb1CQ [link to a video titled “HBOT for 

COVID-19: The Double Standard in Medicine,” with a description that states: “Dr. 

Harch discusses the use of HBOT for COVID-19 infection and shows that there is no 

reason why doctors cannot deliver HBOT to their dying COVID-19 patients.”]” 

Some examples of Coronavirus prevention or cure claims on your social media website at 

https://www.facebook.com/OhanaHyperbarics include:

• In a February 5, 2021 post you state: “Want to learn just how HBOT can help with 

COVID? Tune in!” and share a post from another Facebook user that states:

“Curtis Cost of Children’s Health Defense AND Ted Fogarty, MD & Janelle Cass, 

discussing a new clinical trial of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) for COVID-19, 

and the ‘Aircraft HBOT’ solution to ensuring everyone who needs it has access. 

How to listen:
Ohana Hyperbarics

February 22, 2022

Page 3

Live Broadcast Radio in the Puget Sound (WA, USA) Region every Friday at 3 PM PST: 

tune in to 1150AM KKNW

Listener Call-in numbers: 1-888-298-KKNW (5569) or 425-373-5527

• In an August 26, 2020 post, you state: “Please join us on this fun and informative radio 

show tmw Aug 27th 10 am pacific.” This post includes an image with the text: “Vitality 

Health Show Hope, Healing, Miracles[.] Host Stephanie Parrish... Co-Host Doug 

Crockett...,” and a link with the caption: “TURNING AIRPLANES INTO 

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBERS TO DEFEAT COVID-19.” 

This link leads to a podcast available at 

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/125382/turning-airplanes-into-hyperbaricoxygen-chambers-to-defeat-covid-19 with the following description: “Stephanie Parrish 

and her guest, Janelle Cass, share an inside look at a novel new approach to defeating 

COVID-19. Janelle, a former Air Force officer, and her team of experts have been busy 

designing a promising new solution to the COVID-19 dilemma – converting retired 

military aircraft into hyperbaric oxygen chambers to treat numerous patients at one time 

with the virus-eradicating power of hyperbaric oxygen! Fascinating stuff you don’t want 

to miss!”

• In an August 18, 2020 post, you share a post from another Facebook user that states:

“Duane Pohlman, WKRC Cincinnati Investigates HBOT for COVID-19 

http://ow.ly/94Py50AFN3O.”

The shared post includes a link to a webpage titled “New Treatment Promises Hope 

During Pandemic” that states in part, “From Louisiana to Long Island, hyperbaric 

chambers, once used only to treat divers suffering from the bends, are increasingly being 

used to treat COVID-19 patients with surprising success. While the numbers are small, 

doctors at more than a dozen hospitals across the country say hyperbaric oxygen therapy 

(HBOT) is saving the lives of even the most critically ill coronavirus patients.”

• In a May 6, 2020 post, you share a post from another Facebook user that includes an 

image depicting the SARS-CoV-2 virus and states: “Opelousas General has not 

intubated a patient since they started HBOT for COVID-19 patients that are 

deteriorating. Listen to Dr. Thibodeaus as he reviews cases they’ve treated with 

hyperbaric oxygen. https://zcu.io/233m [link to webpage titled “The Role of 

Hyperbaric Oxygen in the Treatment of COVID-19”] #HBOT #HyperbaricOxygen 

#COVID19 #HMI.”

• In an April 29, 2020 post, you state: “Great summation of how hyperbarics helps 

your body and how is [sic] should be added to the treatment protocol for COVID19.” The post includes a link to a video available at https://vimeo.com/410599343

titled “HBOT VIDEO.” 
Ohana Hyperbarics

February 22, 2022

Page 4

• In a March 14, 2020 post, you state: “Hyperbarics may be the answer” and share a 

post from another Facebook user that states: “Death from the Corona virus is due to 

pulmonary infection and respiratory failure. Let me tell you about the HBOT 

Application to COVID-19 Pulmonary Infection http://ow.ly/9xLJ50yInOmi

http://ow.ly/9xLJ50yInOm.”

Some examples of Coronavirus prevention or cure claims on your social media website 

at https://www.instagram.com/ohanahyperbarics include:

• In a August 1, 2020 post, you share an image with the text: 

“Seattle Times

‘Doctors try pressurized oxygen chambers in COVID fight.’

Link in the Bio for the full article!”

In the caption to this post you state: “Such an interesting article published in the 

Seattle Times yesterday, ‘Doctors try pressurized oxygen chambers in COVID fight.’ 

Please read the full article it is very cool! A little snip-it: ‘Twenty hyperbaric 

patients, predominantly men age 30 to 79, received up to five 90-minute treatments 

during the month-long study. Gorenstein said almost all experienced relief of 

symptoms once sealed inside the clear tube. . . Eighteen of those patients recovered 

and were discharged within days or weeks.’ #hyperbarics #COVID19 #coronavrius 

#heal.” 

In a comment to this post, you state: “https://www.seattletimes.com/seattlenews/health/doctors-try-pressurized-oxygen-chambers-in-covid-fight/.” 

Some examples of Coronavirus prevention or cure claims on your social media website at

https://twitter.com/OhanaHBOT include:

• In a June 24, 2020 post available at 

https://twitter.com/OhanaHBOT/status/1275974409132503041, you state: “Airplanes 

as Hyperbaric Chambers to Fight the Pandemic War – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 

Effective Treatment for COVID-19” and share a link to the website

https://aircrafthbot.org/.

It is unlawful under the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 41 et seq., to advertise that a service

can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless you possess competent and reliable 

scientific evidence substantiating that the claims are true at the time they are made. For 

COVID-19, no such study is currently known to exist for the services identified above. 

Thus, any coronavirus-related prevention or treatment claims regarding such services are not 

supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. You must immediately cease and 

desist making all such claims.

You are also advised to review all other claims for your services and immediately 

cease and desist claims that are notsupported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.
Ohana Hyperbarics

February 22, 2022

Page 5

Violations of the FTC Act may result in legal action seeking a Federal District Court 

injunction. In addition, pursuant to the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, Section 1401, 

Division FF, of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, marketers who make 

deceptive claims about the treatment, cure, prevention, or mitigation of COVID-19 are subject to 

a civil penalty of up to $46,517 per violation and may be required to pay refunds to consumers or 

provide other relief pursuant to Section 19(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 57b(b).

Within 48 hours, please send a message to Assistant Director Mr. Richard Cleland via 

electronic mail at rcleland@ftc.gov certifying that you have ceased making unsubstantiated 

claims for the services identified above. If you have any questions regarding compliance with the 

FTC Act, please contact Mr. Cleland at 202-326-3088. 

Very truly yours,

Serena Viswanathan

Associate Director

Division of Advertising Practices

cc: Facebook and Instagram via email to consumerpolicy@fb.com

Twitter via email to dc-help@twitter.com