ECPD INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST PROGRAM HYPERBARIC AND UNDERWATER MEDICINE Belgrade, 1-12 June 2026
European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD) of the United Nations University for Peace has organized the ECPD International Specialist Program “Hyperbaric Medicine” and “Underwater Medicine”, which was held from June 1–12, 2026 in Belgrade.
Director of the Program is Prim. Dr. Med. Miodrag Živković, specialist in Marine, Hyperbaric and Underwater Medicine, HBO Medical Center, Belgrade, and Co-Director is Prof. Dr. Žarko Finderle, Director of the Center for Baromedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The lecturers are distinguished experts, with extensive experience in this field of medicine.
The Program is internationally and nationally accredited. The aim of the Program is to provide basic education and enhancement of knowledge on the latest advancements in the field of Hyperbaric Medicine and physiology and pathophysiology of diving. The focus is on the topics related to indications, contraindications and possible toxic effects of oxygen administration in hyperbaric chambers, as well as the effects of hyperbaric oxygen application in prevention and treatment of various pathological conditions. The significance of hyperbaric therapy is emphasized as a part of multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic wounds, systemic diseases, in surgery and orthopedics, oncology, neurology, etc.
Recently, the role of HBO in regenerative processes has been in the focus of interest, and the results confirm the views and experience of our leading experts on the beneficial effects of HBO on health and recovery, especially in the population of sportsmen – where HBO is applied with the aim of improving performances and sports results, as well as for faster recovery and rehabilitation.
When it comes to Underwater Medicine, the emphasis is on: Medical selection and medical supervision of divers, Barotraumatic injuries, Decompression illness – first aid protocol and treatment.
The first Course was held in Belgrade in October 2020, and the Programs have been organized regularly since then, with a note that participation can take place in person or online (Zoom platform).
Additionally, the Hyperbaric Medicine Program was held twice in Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia, in February 2024 and February 2025. Also, a special Underwater Medicine Program was organized in December 2022 for the group of physicians working for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, who are responsible for the health care of the members of the Diving Unit of the Gendarmerie.
In addition to theoretical lectures, education also includes the practical application of HBO and practical work with a monoplace hyperbaric chamber at the HBO Medical Center in Belgrade.
The education is intensive, interactive, with presentation of cases from clinical practice, and we are pleased to invite you to join us at the upcoming Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Program, which which will be held from September 28 to October 9, 2026 in Belgrade.
