Sucking Chest Wound

http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/OperationalMedicine/DATA/operationalmed/Procedures/TreataSuckingChestWound.htm

I was looking at a statement talking about sucking chest wound.

The statement as shows: First aid for sucking chest wound is with occlusive dressing that allows air out (taped on three sides) but not in.

I didn't quite get it. Just imagine one day, you are walking in an American street and you witnessed a gun fight. Someone got shot on the chest. In such scenario, let's just test how much knowledge you know for this scenario ya? By the way, the above statement was from Kaplan Surgery CK 2008-2009. For the pictures, just go and visit the html at the top of the post.

A sucking chest wound is identified by the sucking or hissing sound made during breathing by the casualty.

With this type of wound, the chest cavity is no longer sealed, allowing air to rush through the wound and into the chest during inhalation. This causes the lung to collapse. This is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment.

Start by uncovering the wound. If the clothing is stuck to the wound or in a chemical environment, then clothing should not be removed. Don't attempt to clean the wound. That will be done later.

Use the casualty's hand to cover the wound while you quickly prepare an occlusive patch. The plastic wrapper of a battle dressing works very well, although any air-tight material can be substituted, such as:

Cellophane
Aluminum foil
Duct Tape
Vaseline Gauze

The patch should be large enough to extend 2 inches beyond the edge of the wound. Smaller patches tend to get pulled back into the wound.

Secure the patch to the wound with adhesive tape. Three sides should be taped, while the 4th side is left untaped. Whenever the casualty breaths out (exhales), air is expelled from the chest cavity and escapes from underneath the open edge of the patch. Whenever the casualty breaths in (inhales), the patch sticks to the skin and keeps air from returning into the chest cavity. This helps to re-inflate the collapsed lung.

Place a small battle dressing over the patch, but don't make it so tight that the casualty can't breath.

Sometimes, you won't have any adhesive tape, or the tape won't stick (blood, water, mud, or perspiration may keep it from sticking). In that case, it is still very helpful to use the patch, held in place by a battle dressing or triangular bandage.

Finally, roll the patient onto the injured side while awaiting transportation.

Some medical bags include pre-packaged chest seals. These are easy to use and fast.

· Use the enclosed gauze pad to wipe the skin dry around the wound.

· Peel off the paper backing and place the sticky side of the seal over the wound and surrounding skin

· The one-way flutter valve will allow air to be expelled from the chest, but will keep the outside air from returning.