They play a critical role in triage first aid for these types of injuries.
They are simple to use and are included in many modernfirst aid kits.
It’s important to know what items you’ll have at your disposalbeforeyou need to use them.
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Chest seals are simple, effective treatments that can save lives if you know whenand howto use them.
This information is important to know, even if you aren’t a healthcare professional or in the military.
This article explains how and when chest seals should be used and why they are important.
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How Does a Chest Seal Work?
The rib cage stretches and organs and tissues inside the chest cavity shift as the lungs fill and empty.
This is a serious condition called apneumothorax(Latin for “air in the chest”).
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It is also sometimes called a collapsed lung.
A chest seal does not stop a wound from bleeding.
Rather, it works to close off the wound to prevent air from entering the chest cavity.
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If you see a deep puncture wound to the chest wallor even suspect oneapply a chest seal.
It’s important to note that some injurieslike gunshot woundshave both an entrance and an exit.
If the victim has been shot, it’s important to see if the bullet exited the body.
Both holes will need to be sealed to avoid a pneumothorax.
This way, their chest has the least amount of air in it.
Halo Chest Seal
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The Halo Chest Seal was one of the first chest seals made commercially.
It has a no-frills, simple design.
It is essentially a sterile piece of plastic with an adhesive backing.
Using a seal with no vent means you have to pay attention.
This solves the problem that a solid seal (such as the Halo) can present.
This process can be time-consuming, but ultimately it can be quite effective.
Hyfin Vent Chest Seal
In emergency situations, time is of the essence.
There isn’t always time to perfectly position a chest seal’s vent.
Another vented dressing, the Hyfin chest seal, is a good alternative to the Asherman.
The seal still works as a one-way valve that allows trapped air to leave the chest cavity.
Sometimes with vented seals, blood can get into the vents and clot, plugging the vents.
The same rules apply as with non-vented seals: Watch the patient.
If they get more winded or drowsy, it’s a good sign they could be developing a pneumothorax.
If emergency personnel has not yet arrived, you may need to apply a new seal.
It’s easy to improvise a chest seal with the supplies you have available.
These typically have a paper side and a plastic side.
bring up the packaging and throw away the paper and the contents.
A simple gadget like a chest seal can save a life when used properly.
Though it may slow bleeding down, it won’t necessarily stop it.
Burping a chest seal involves allowing air to leave the wound covered by the seal.
To burp a chest seal, gently lift a corner of the dressing.
This will allow air to leave the space and can help the patient breathe more easily.
Chest seals are used in the treatment of puncture wounds to the chest wall.
Kheirabadi BS, Terrazas IB, Miranda N, et al.Do vented chest seals differ in efficacy?
An experimental evaluation using a swine hemopneumothorax model.J Trauma Acute Care Surg.
2017;83(1):182-189. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001501
Rescue Essentials.Halo Chest Seal.
Rescue Essentials.Asherman Chest Seal.
North American Rescue.Hyfin Vent Chest Seal Twin Pack.
2013 Fall;13(3):81-6.
