What is the proper treatment for a sucking chest wound?

Answer 1

In a First Responder context with the responder being non-military and using the American model of first responder technique (i.e. stabilize and GO!), seal the wound with a battle dressing, aluminum foil, a cut up latex glove, or anything that won't pass air. A quick swab of antiseptic over the wound. Cut the bandage so it overlaps the wound margins by at least 2". You can tape-seal the dressing on three sides taughtly. This makes the fourth open side sort of a flapper valve, which will let air and blood pass out of the chest cavity, but shouldn't let air back in, thus (hopefully) reinflating the lung and maintaining it so.

If you feel uncomfortable with this method, an airtight seal on 4 sides is more conventional and easier, but doesn't allow the lung to reinflate.

Some battle dressings come with a "sucking chest would kit" that has a flapper valve built into the latex dressing, and one side is adhesive, so all you have to do is clean the immediate area (both for sterility and to make sure the adhesive sticks, and apply the dressing.

Position the victim with the wounded side down, if possible, so as to let gravity drain blood to the valve.

Military medics and on-scene doctors may consider a thoracostomy and chest tube at this point. Civilian medic generally are not authorized to perform this procedure (if you're a non-military first responder and your area allows this, I'd appreciate it if you let me know...)

Answer 2

Supplies:

Duct Tape

Gauze

Aluminum foil

Cellophane/seran wrap

You are going to use the gauze to clean up any sweat, blood or dirt around the would, and put cellophane/seran wrap over the wound and put aluminum foil over too. You want it to be in a shape in a square that fully covers the wound. If it is too small, it could get sucked in. Once you have everything squared off, you will want to duct tape THREE of the FOUR sides. This will allow air to come out when you exhale and air NOT go in through the hole when you inhale. You will then want to have the patient lie on the side that their injury is on.