What is one critical safety measure during hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions?

Ensuring that patients do not smoke or use any flames during hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a critical safety measure because hyperbaric environments involve high pressures and an increased concentration of oxygen. Oxygen is highly flammable, and the risk of fire is significantly elevated in such conditions. Any ignition source, including smoking materials or flames, could lead to a catastrophic fire or explosion, endangering both the patient and the staff. Thus, strict adherence to fire safety protocols is paramount in hyperbaric settings to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of everyone involved in the therapy.

The other options do not align with the core safety principles necessary during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Allowing patients to eat during a session could lead to complications, just as prioritizing equipment monitoring over the patient's well-being could overlook critical signs of distress. Additionally, pushing patients to complete therapy quickly undermines the careful monitoring needed to ensure their safety and the effectiveness of the treatment.