Chest Seals/Sucking Chest Wounds

[@MrSumGuns]

Awesome information! Thanks. I watch to keep up my knowledge as a retired firefighter/medic. Great job!

[@oliveradams1270]

Thankyou so much for all the heroic work you did

[@MooseOperator]

Currently at the firehouse watching to stay ahead. Thank you for your service brother

[@WarEnjoyer-n1p]

Thank you for your Service

[@Driveby-Viktum]

I've finally found an alternative use for that roll of Flex-Seal tape in my toolbox. It sticks to everything.

[@waynedutton3737]

Now something for the Sham-wow

[@MGoat76]

Love that.😂😂😂

[@bigchase2759]

I was thinking duct tape. Lol

[@rafterwhomestead]

I'm a volunteer B-EMT. I was trained to use the petroleum dressing method and the agency that has medical direction over me does not carry a designed occlusive dressing like these chest seals. In my community that I respond to I am often by myself for the first 10 minutes or so. I think you have changed my mind on carrying occlusive dressings. By oneself I can see how the petroleum method may be difficult to apply and taped down. I will likely be adding hyfin chest seals to my first-in bag. Thank you.

[@SalTheSalamander]

hi! how did you become a volunteer B-EMT?

[@rafterwhomestead]

@@SalTheSalamander my small community has a ems service that operates under the county’s medical direction. I trained through that county and operate as an extension of their service as a first responder.

[@Ryan-iw3dj]

Super informational as always. If you are ever struggling for video ideas, I’m sure everyone could use a refresher course on how to handle an overdose. As LEO I hear a bunch of jokes about how we have the reputation of overdoing the Naloxone, and I’ve even seen it first hand. My agency provides only a brief verbal conversation about it from just as untrained FTOs. I’d love to hear about the response from a medic’s perspective. Considering Narcan is OTC, I’m sure everyone untrained could stand to benefit as well. I appreciate all of your videos and keep it up!

[@PrepMedic]

That’s a good idea, I’ll put a video together

[@ramrod132]

​@@PrepMedic Do you have a video or a recommended resource for laypeople for what to do after you help someone- i.e., once the patient has been passed off to EMS, how do you safely clean blood/fluids off your arms, clothing, etc.? There's lots of focus on stop the bleed but not much on what to do afterwards. Even with gloves it seems likely that you're going to get blood on you, and you might not be near soap+water. Should people prep hand wipes/gel/something else along with their gloves? Thank you for your videos, they are super informative for those of us who aren't professional rescuers but want to be prepared for the occasional emergency in our daily lives.

[@snowplays259]

@@ramrod132 go somewhere where you can wash hands or affected area with soap and water, take clothes off and wash them. If your not around any building or places with a sink use a bottle of water and any cloth in the meantime, unless you have a open cut its not too much of a concern, if you do follow up with PCP and inform them of your blood exposure, if you know the victim ask them if they have any blood borne pathogens they know about, and ask receiving ems if their is any protocol their department would have a bystander exposed to bodily fluids do.

[@Log4Jake]

Thanks for making these videos, I just built out my IFAK a few weeks ago. Chest seals and quick clot are next on my purchase list. Then an NPA

[@TheAngrySecurityGuardChannel]

Stupid question, I assume you been trained in the usage of those? Only asking because I know people that buy and carry trauma kits and think a CDN is a marker or an epi pen. Some people I know think it’s better to pack a sucking chest wound. So I just had to ask, LOL.

[@louiewatson9389]

An NPA is not necessary. 1 you'll be unconscious so you can't apply it yourself and 2 tilt the head back and you've opened your airway.

[@snowplays259]

@@louiewatson9389 ifak's arent only used on yourself... you can use them to aide others and others can use your own to aide you. And you actually can use a npa while concious

[@TheGary600]

Human physiology can be complicated especially when shot. Thank you for providing insight to remedial practice that saves lives. 👍

[@DylanLey]

It's also good practice to place and burp a chest seal when the PT is exhaling

[@LK-bz9sk]

Thanks for this. Answers my main questions.

[@drewallenby3277]

As a provider who rarely gets to use these skills. I love the videos you provided like this one that can keep me up to date and i can use as a refresher. Time to bust out the training kit at the station!

[@chriswilke]

Thanks for putting these videos up. Great refresher when all I see is medical and hip fractures because the city I work for is full of retired people. With the 2 terror attacks from the other day makes me want to refresh on trauma

[@Doc_Egan]

Great video, Sam! Again, I love the bite-size focused topic lectures and demos. I learned something new every time. Keep it up. HALO are the best seals!

[@Birch-and-Maine]

I love how fast these are. We used to have to make a “flutter valve” for SCW. It was not the best, but it was our best option at the time. Definitely need to add these to the IFAK.

[@Amayi1]

Dude just educated me in 13 minutes for FREE what a lot of 2 and 3 day first aid classes do.

[@trueclot]

Thanks for the shout out, as always, Sam!

[@ronaldwenzel9899]

Another great video Sam! Thank you for the TrueClot shoutout 😊

[@Jordan-ql6tm]

Appreciate your A1 content as always brother. 🤝

[@PrepMedic]

Appreciate that!

[@66ECHO]

Man your vids are really great. Very informative and well supported with visuals.

[@PrepMedic]

Thanks man!

[@darinmullins4770]

Thank you i hope im never in this position .

[@stammyy2091]

Maybe you could have a chat with Dr. Andrew D. Fisher. He is working for the US army and stands against Chest seals, saying they are questionable at best. Having him on a podcast might be interesting. He was one of the authors of TCCC 2024 Guidelines

[@ninja5672]

I would genuinely like to know what a better treatment would be.

[@Bob-cx4ze]

​@@ninja5672 Particularly a better rapid, low-skill alternative.

[@snowplays259]

@@Bob-cx4ze this is low skill... ??

[@Bob-cx4ze]

​@snowplays259 Compared to what I and many others were taught making one yourself in the field, yes.

[@ebruyldz4680]

well this is a topic I have minimal understanding. wouldn't sealing the wound put more pressure on lungs since the air is being trapped under the chest wall? it's really contradictory and I can't access the correct information. shall we seal the wound or not.. :)

[@hypnoprep]

Man what a GREAT video. Train with what you will be using in the field. Dont just stick it in your bag and forget it!

[@CrimsonRaven51]

Thanks for the video. I have had first responders training in the State Department. We received a kit afterwards. I carry a couple of chest seals among other trauma gear in my EDC pack due to so many active shooter incidents in shopping malls and places of worship. Want to be able to help when needed.

[@boonedog1457]

Nice presentation! Thank you!

[@Traineddelta]

Great video Sam! Another option/technique on burping that we're taught as Canadian military medics is to peel back the seal, wipe away any blood, re align tissue as needed as sometimes tissue plains can shift and cause no air to escape from the chest thus leading to tension. Then stick your finger inside the wound to move blood or tissue that is sealing the hole and push down force fully on the chest upon exhale.

[@vtphynx]

Potential downsides to pushing on the chest while burping: what damage has the PT sustained to say, the ribs and could pushing forcefully on that cause more damage? We used to teach pushing, but it's something that we've removed completely due to the associated risks. Love to hear your thoughts/experiences.

[@Traineddelta]

​@@vtphynxVery good point and something that has been brought up in the past on our side of the house as well. I think it would come down to patient presentation, if the benefits seem to outweigh the potential risk then I may do it. If I'm pretty sure the patient has fractured ribs and I could further exacerbate a potential hemothorax then maybe I won't do it that way. Important to note as well that as far as I'm aware there is no clinical evidence showing burping works, it's a good idea in theory and I believe still has application but chances are you're going to have to resort to the needle.

[@vtphynx]

@@Traineddelta I’ve seen burping work once…for certain…during LTT. Now take that with a grain of salt because I will openly admit to being less experienced with trauma than many people. But my thought process is that if I can burp it and it work well enough to get them to a trauma table for a chest tube, then I don’t necessarily need the extra invasive step of an NCD. Although I have no zero qualms about darting someone if indicated.

[@Traineddelta]

@@vtphynx I've also seen it work during LTT. I'm sure it's a lot easier to burp LT than it is a person though... Either way there's definitely no harm in attempting to do it before dropping a needle.

[@billlimoges6785]

Great video - I learned a lot!

[@firstlookpro7282]

Great video Thomas!!

[@dougwilliams44]

Good one. 68W. 1st Armored Div, 99-2006

[@FactoryFugitive]

I've learned so much from this channel. Thanks for everything you do to make these for us.

[@MGoat76]

Another fantastic video. Thank you!

[@pisom4314]

great info, thanks for sharing with us

[@Anonemous.MoonGuard]

Incredibly good insights as always 👍

[@leviransom9910]

As someone with 0 med training, this is helpful and somewhat frightening to me considering what I believe is coming. But I'm learning. Better late than never. Thanks for the vids!

[@gregmcmanus1975]

The algorithm did its work!

[@TACpilot876]

Love these videos

[@ACCJohnMane]

Agreed

[@pipervibe3427]

Excellently presented. Thank you.

[@bobfatty1035]

I use the MedMags and keep two bleeding kits, and one airway kit.

[@JEEPINWJOHNSON]

Can you make a detailed video for civilians who are limited to basic training such as Stop the Bleed? Giving your opinion on what an untrained civilian should carry without hands on training.

[@snowplays259]

carry what your comfortable with and know how to use

[@dexterking7662]

Awesome info I’ll have to restock my first aid bag

[@johntaggs7002]

Positively awsome information, keep up the info. Question? At the 4 minute marker you went over some of the complications of a chest seal; ie burping to relieve pressure. If the patient is supervised, should a chest seal be applied as a JIC, even if I misdiagnose a sucking chest wound? Stuffing a chest cavity is not a solution for a ballistic/ stab wound, but a chest seal would atleast, hopefully, control bleeding. Thank you👍

[@ambulance_boy3834]

Happy Father's Day! 🎉

[@muhdamsyar4800]

thanks

[@O8WRx]

Any suggestions for a through and through sideways through both lungs? The Hyfin has worked really well for me. A gentleman was shot 4 times on a hot day. I had some smaller ones (small adhesive area) and ran into some complications within just a couple minutes. The blood, but mainly sweat, was causing a problem. While reassessing it was observed the seal slid and was not functioning. Switched to a larger one, and boom, worked. I didn't have enough time before he was transported to have to burp it. He lived though thankfully. You spoke about the size of bullet holes. The 556 has really small entry wounds. It was much harder to find. It was noticeably more difficult on fat people or fattier areas (buttox).

[@LK-bz9sk]

Very good video. Thanks

[@mdx9286]

Excellent info.

[@mikehawkswollen5819]

Awesome video 👏👏

[@becominghunt1]

Thanks for another great and helpful video! I just wanted to ask, with the studies you mentioned in regards to vented chest seals, are they still creating a pressure build up leading to tension pneumo? I thought the point of these vented chest seals were that they are able to release some of the air built up in the thoracic cavity.

[@perthlad8495]

Love the vids mate need a patreon !

[@TheAngrySecurityGuardChannel]

Good info! Always looking for other people’s perspective and more knowledge! Just curious, what state are you in?

[@j.w.7688]

Have enjoyed your vids for years man, thank you! Question regarding Celox granuals. I heard you mention on an older vid that those type of products are not always recommended. Any new info on that? Thanks again. 👍

[@kyrrer]

Given an entry and an exit wound, would a vented chest seal on the smaller entry wound, and an improvised plastic, non-vented, solution for the assumedly larger exit wound be "sufficient"? I.e. is it critical having the vents on both sides?

[@dashcammer4322]

A pair of chest seals is pretty cheap. Buy them, keep them in your trauma kit with your TQ and a gauze roll, and learn the basics of using them. If you live in a decent city, 911 will get EMTs wherever you are in 5 minutes. Keep yourself or another alive that long here where I live and you're usually good. If you live in a crappy city where 911 takes a lot longer, if ever, then that's another issue, and you better learn some other stuff, like how to rent a u-haul and bail out of the societal armpit you live in.

[@perrywaaz3660]

Nailed it

[@Indylimburg]

I will add though that these skills will help to keep that patient alive in those situations where you may be waiting a while.

[@paulpugh2480]

Great info.thanks.

[@SmileNDenile]

Would a person need to have a certification to use these in a real-world situation? I guess what im asking is the equivalent of being cpr certified?

[@morticiaheisenberg9679]

Awesome information!! Subscribed

[@PrepMedic]

Glad you found it useful!

[@savannah3000]

Is there a book I can get to remember this and other trauma prep?

[@rhonda338]

New to channel, thank you

[@louiewatson9389]

It most of all squeezes and stops your heart.

[@VroomNPew]

With a front and back seal applied, if a tension pneumothorax occurs, does burping just one side/seal suffice? Or would a particular side need to be burpred? What's the best position for someone to remain in with a front and back seal, while waiting for medical aid? Thank you.

[@RodCornholio]

Excellent

[@whitefangwalker6525]

Please explain how you wound pack a neck injury - I was trained to just apply an occlusive dressing and transporting.

[@xample6642]

wouldnt a defipad work for an improvised one?

[@America2gether]

Awesome video. Could you do a vid that explains how a civilian with TCCC training assist on site or FR on scene. Maybe scenario based. Happening upon MVA, mass sh**tr casualty, LE engagement , etc. I travel with a active "medic go-bag" based on your advice. Whats the protocol for interacting with FR or LE in situations under high stress. What are the expectations from agency players?

[@oliveradams1270]

When putting chest seals on the neck after packing wounds, do you bandage the wound before or after or at all love your videos thankyou

[@Kampfstrampler]

If it's a shot through, you use vented at the front and non-vented at the back? or both vented? many thanks for that great video

[@leon46543]

Plis review a kit ruf north american rescue

[@CindyBergeron-q6g]

Where do you get those training lungs ?

[@HunterBoone1]

With the North American Rescue seal, is that a directional seal or does it matter which way it is placed?

[@awfishing6179]

How do you decide to pack a wound or use a chest seal?

[@sitka8461]

pretty sure you only pack wounds on the extremities

[@BBEEAATTNNGGUU]

If a chest seal is not the answer, what is?

[@biaywilk853]

Hi sam, could you rewiev something from a polish company called JB tacticals?

[@preben96]

First day of deer hunting tomorrow and just got a chest seal for my first aid kit :) thanks for the infomastion hope i never have to use it 🙏

[@ninja5672]

If those are not as effective as once thought, what is the more effective treatment?

[@PrepMedic]

Surgery. Unfortunately definitive care is the hallmark of trauma survival

[@jacobkrout1627]

Where would Decompression needles wrap into all of this?

[@loukovanda5539]

Would packing with gause work in a pinch to stop a sucking wound if you can't keep hands on it?

[@overtones77369]

With what you mentioned at the end (regarding the danger of chest seals causing tension pneumothorax), would you recommend a novice just burping the seal very often or not using a seal at all? I do not trust my ability to spot a tension pneumothorax. Would it be more important to use if the patient had asthma/weak lungs? Thank you.

[@theparaminuteman]

Not very often. But yes burp the seals. You’ll notice if someone has a tension pneumothorax… because they start dying 😂 Seriously they will look like shit, when your patient looks like shit you start to look for why, so then you burp the seal.

[@Bombstark]

Great video! Thank you for your insights. Question: I bought an IFAK (SIRK 1) from North American Rescue but it only came with a single HyFin; will this be suffice or should I double up?

[@edgars2501]

Is it ok to place a vented chest seal even if the wound is still bleeding?

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

BURPING CHEST WOUNDS: I have to ask how to do it when the patient has a hairy chest. Asking because I have a hairy chest. Lol

[@Ya_Mf_Boi]

if its not vented is it guaranteed to lead to tension pneumothorax? also how often do you need to burp it?

So if we eventually go to not using chest seals, would there be any alternative to keeping it open to the air? Would you just cover it with gauze and accept that a pneumothorax will keep progressing until you reach definitive care?

[@gpowell511]

I know everyone is different but if you had to give rate for burping, whether it's X number of times per 1/5/10 minute(s) or something like every 5/10/20 breaths, how often would you recommend it gets burped? Just a ballpark average is all I'm curious about. Thanks!

[@arnoldinelsass9765]

Many thanks for this overview What about hairy torso, do hairs affect the stickiness of these seals? Would we need to shave as we're supposed to do for automatic defribillation (at least in France where I'm a volunteer first responder) ?

[@aresye]

Would there be any good reason to show a patient how to burp the chest seal themselves? Assuming a calm and collected patient that may already have some basic combat first-aid experience like military/LEOs.

[@PrepMedic]

I have yet to apply a chest seal to someone amenable to following commands.

[@dawsonowen9812]

Where can I purchase a prepmedic patch or apparel?

[@patrick70335]

If we can't monitor or can't recognize the signs (not a paramedic, not a doctor, no equipment), is it a good idea every often to burp it regardless?

[@williameddlewis4625]

please can you go in-depth on how chest seals can be unhelpful? also fox has a vented chest seal as well.

[@jamiew.2718]

I guess that would apply more so to non-vented seals, however not seen or heard anything to suggest why a vented seal has any negative effects or could be unhelpful

[@MediocreBruh]

If you think about it a chest seal is basically a big boo boo sticker

[@LegionWolves]

If there are multiple gun shot wounds to the chest, do we just rinse and repeat with multiple chest seals?

[@crocodile7334]

What are your views on the SAM chest seals? Thanks.

[@KonadorAuchindoun]

How much is generally a burp n for how long, id appreciate the knowledge if any1 is willing

[@vtphynx]

I teach my students to burp, and watch for changes in the signs/symptoms. For example, if my triggering criteria was a marked increase in the respiratory rate, I peel the seal back and watch for changes to rate. I.e. the PT takes a deep breath, the rate lowers to something closer to the norm etc., then I re-seal. If they don't know what they're looking for, I tell them to do a 5 count then re-seal and reevaluate.

[@אודילישא-בנוגעלגוף]

What about the classic Asherman?

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for the information. Here's the big question for me. I'm not a trained paramedic. I took "Red Cross Multimedia" in the eighties. I was on a fire crew at work for ten years and learned to used an AED and to connect an oxygen bottle to a mask. Both of those trainings happened over twenty years ago. I have health issues, so I'm not in a good position to take a real class on using a chest seal. If I could find a "Stop the Bleed" class that only lasted two hours, I could probably last through the entire class, but otherwise, I'm likely to fade out before a class is finished. Is there any point in my buying a couple of chest seals to put in a first aid kit? If I came upon an accident in my rural area where help is often half an hour or longer away, would a chest seal have any value in my untrained hands? My inclination is never to buy first aid equipment for which I don't have real training. No offense to any KZbin creators, but a part of me is skeptical of whether a KZbin video constitutes real training. Am I wrong about that? On the other hand, I'd like to be able to help someone to the best of my ability if I encountered a horrible situation. If it helps you decide whether there's value in my buying chest seals for a first aid kit, I'll give a few more details. I have three engineering degrees, so I was once very good at learning. On the other hand, many things that are intuitive to others aren't intuitive to me. I'm terrible with phone apps. I've been in one serious first aid situation where I saw a friend go through hypothermia for five hours and fall to the point that he stopped shivering about ninety minutes before the first rescuer arrived. Depending on what I'm doing, i lose energy and fade out anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours into any activity. I used to do quite a bit of lab work, but I haven't in decades. I don't even own any lab gloves although I should get some for my first aid kit. Thanks for your help.

[@jeremiahr7585]

But HOW do you “burp it?”

[@jf3065]

If you have an entry and exit wound. Would you use a vented chest seal on the front and back, or could you use a vented chest seal on the front and a non-vented seal on the back ?

[@Bombstark]

I am wondering this too.

[@hillbilly_bikerbush5684]

Have you tried gorilla brand duck tape? That was the first thing i thought of when you mentioned improvised. I keep a small rool in my go bag wounding if it will work.

[@6literbeater976]

Do these chest seals stay good in extreme heat. Want to get some for an aid kit to keep in the car but I’m in Florida and it’s fairly warm here

[@maximus9300]

So if you place a chest seal on someone, do you ALWAYS have to end up burping in? If you have a vented chest seal I could see why not, because I think its supposed to do it for you. But lets say you dont have a vented chest seal, when do you burp it? And for how long?

[@jaredwardle3336]

A slightly off topic question about chest seals. I live in Canada so extreme temps are the norm. What is the safe temp range to keep chest seals in?

[@lg3659]

Depending on local regulations regarding device labeling, storage range may be printed on the packing, or included in any published instructions from manufacturers. But for exampe: FoxSeal states adhesion maintained at -18C (0F) and +55C (131F), and Halo range is -34C (-30F) and +60C (140F).

[@Traineddelta]

Jared, I'm a Canadian military medic and have applied lots of chest seals in the extreme cold temps of Northern Alberta and other places. Chest seals will still adhere in extreme temps. Generally speaking you don't want to store them for extended periods in extreme cold or heat, but every time I've been on an exercise and had to apply them in cold temps they have always stuck to the patient.

[@jaredwardle3336]

@@Traineddelta Thanks you answered my next question about storage temps. I always have a kit in my truck and was wondering if I could leave them in during the winter. If they will stick in Wainwright in the winter they will work anywhere.

[@Traineddelta]

@@jaredwardle3336 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27423308/ Here's a good study on that subject. I also keep chest seals in a kit in my car and leave it there year round. Keep in mind that over time the adhering property will probably slowly start to decline, but as long as they're not expired they will most likely still adhere well to the patient. Make sure to buy quality chest seals, SAM and Hyfin make some of the best. Good chest seals are made from hydrogel, the same stuff that is used on breaching charges as well as ECG stickers. Very sticky.

[@MGoat76]

Great question. Applicable to SAR and mountain rescue too. Thanks for asking

[@ericx777]

HALO chest seal... called HALO because if you practice on your rather furry buddies, it leaves a bald, freshly waxed halo ring on their chest!

[@Anon26535]

Normies when big lips: succ Guro chads when big chest wound: *SUCCCCCC*

[@richardwysocki8300]

Did I miss how to "burb" a chest seal?

[@Azandeer]

Lift a corner to let the tension out

[@richardwysocki8300]

@@Azandeer Thanks, Mate!

[@Regroup_with_the_DevilDogs]

11:12 hey now buddy there's one more obstacle that you're forgetting about a frantic patient there's nothing that is more frustrating than a person that is in panic and bleeding out a training Buddy isn't going to be flailing their arms or any of that other nonsense it's a little difficult for people to be cool calm and collective in a situation especially getting shot in the throat