Chest seals are used for injuries that penetrate the lungs. When this happens, air begins to rush into the pleural cavity (where the lungs are). This prevents the lungs from fully expanding, and it diminishes the amount of oxygen getting into the lungs.
A chest seal is one of the most easily improvised items. One of the best things about it is that it uses items you likely already have on hand, even in a small medical kit.
Why might you want to go this route instead of buying a chest seal? Probably because it's highly unlikely you will ever need a chest seal. They take up a bit of space in the medical kit, and you can easily make one using a plastic square (plastic wrap, a plastic bag, Tegaderm, or an exam glove) and tape (something really sticky, like Transpore or duct tape), all items that are already in a good medical kit.
To make a chest seal, tape the plastic square securely above the skin incision/wound on three sides only. In this manner, it functions as a valve, allowing air to escape the pleural cavity without letting air back in, thus permitting the lung to re-inflate.[1]
Links to related posts:
The Best Medical Tapes and Wraps
Medical Uses for Duct Tape
References:
[1]Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 359.
09.25.22
Also as painful as it seems have the patient lie with the wounded side DOWN as not to fill the still healthy lung with fluids. A little thought needed to maintain shock position AND keep the chest seal in open air as to work properly. Rolled up blankets work well with a observer to ensure airway remains open.
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