Halo vs Hyfin Chest Seals

Having chest seals in your trauma kit or IFAK is a MUST! Here are two good quality chest seals to consider. I compare the Hyfin by North American Rescue and the Halo by Tac Med Solution.
Halo Chest Seal Review:
• Halo Chest Seal
Hyfin Chest Seal Review:
• NAR HyFin Chest Seals
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[@danielboydcooper6850]

i needed this two nights ago! had a victim with single stab wound that punctured the left lung and left side of his heart. after gloving up, had to use direct pressure and an eculsive dressing open on lower edge, called for als unit (i'm a tact medic with local pd) to prep for a chest tube to relieve the building pressure (no go in the field) evac to a trauma center. vic flate lined in route but we got him back. long night. checked on him today critical but stable.

[@tomm2812]

Good job. Nice when they can be dragged back from the great beyond. Best

[@TheTyrial86]

The sealed ones are better. They cost more but worth it.

[@SkinnyMedic]

+daniel boyd cooper Strong work brother!

[@simonkimberly6956]

Wow

[@Thekodezone]

So you can't do a needle decompression in the field 😮?

[@cbrucesbiz]

"Sticky is a technical term". Thank you, now I can get my paramedic certification. Big, big chuckle. Thanks.

[@realworldprepper]

Good comparison, SM. I agree chest seals are important to include in your IFAK/Trauma Kit. If I may, for those who are not quite clear on the purpose of them, it goes like this: Hemopneumothorax (caused by bleeding into the plural space) and Pnuemothorax (caused by the intrusion of outside air into the plural space through an opening in the chest wall, or through an abdomen wound with through a hole in the diaphram) which are critical, life threatening mechanisms which must be quickly assessed and addressed in order to prevent - and, possibly, reverse a collapsed lung (which can quickly progress to a Tension Pneumothorax causing a Tracheal Shift further complicating airway management and resuscitation efforts) - thereby assisting the victim's ability to breathe and maintain adequate oxygenation of their blood. In a pinch, the plastic wrapping of a trauma dressing can be applied and held in place with a strong adhesive tape, such as duct tape. But, using prepackaged, specific use chest seals is faster and a more sure seal. As SM stated, packing a penetrating chest wound is a time consuming and, often, fruitless. This is particularly difficult on small arms caliber gun shot wounds. Exit wounds (which tend to be considerably larger than entry wounds) can sometimes benefit from packing or dressing the wound before applying the chest seal over the dressing. It is important to note: gunshot wounds are not the only manner in which the chest is penetrated, violating the plural space, causing a Pneumothorax. All manner of objects, through any number of mechanisms, can penetrate the chest wall, leaving large wounds which bleed profusely. Back in the old days, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and I worked in EMS, we sometimes would use a sterile feminine tampon or OB pads (large sanitary napkins) to pack such wounds before applying the plastic and tape over it. As SM says "You never know when you might be the first responder. You need the right gear and the right training." I would add the training needs to include dealing with real world situations in extreme, austere circumstances and teach real world practicalities and the flexibility to improvise where necessary. Just my thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

[@SkinnyMedic]

+TheRealWorldPrepper Thank you for the info

[@sootch00]

Clear explanation! Thanks Brother

[@SkinnyMedic]

+sootch00 Thank you for the support over the years!

[@villakris]

Thanks for the info. As a medic i've always used either an Asherman Seal or the good ole vaseline gauze. Thanks for letting us know that their are other options. Appreciate the demos of other options.

[@SkinnyMedic]

+villakris I have used my share of Vaseline Gauze

[@TheMicroTrak]

All chest wounds suck...

[@JClark2600]

I travel to the back country a lot and I was wondering, how long can someone survive with a chest seal. For example, I'm backpacking and 2 days away from the trail head. Should I just administer last rites...? or can these things save someone who is days away from airvac? Thanks!

[@fjenkins100]

Have you done a comparison of vented vs. unvented chest seals? If not, is one better than the other and why would you use one or the other? Thanks.

[@SkinnyMedic]

+fjenkins100 No but I will work on it

[@Botanifiles]

Same question

[@TrunkyDunks]

I can't say I've tried hyfin seals, but HALO seals work extremely well. And not having a vent isn't a problem really, an experienced person can just burp it

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Woodscrafters Apprentice You are right

[@GeordiePrepper]

Never heard of these two before. I was looking at Asherman Chest Sealers for my IFAK. I'll see if these two types are available in England and give them a look see. Thanks Skinny Medic :-)

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Geordie Prepper I am not sure if they are or arent

[@GeordiePrepper]

SkinnyMedic I've seen them on Amazon.co.uk, but they are damn expensive. These particular brands must not be in large supply here. The Asherman's seem to be popular and stocked. They have a rubbery valve.

[@420BenG]

+Geordie Prepper you may also be able to find the Bolin Chest Seal which is better than the Asherman, or best of all your options, the newer Russell Chest Seal. Search for that on here and you will find some interesting videos. If none of those are options, H&H Medical has some different kits for sealing chest wounds that are as simple as and similarly designed like the Hyfin.

[@420BenG]

+Geordie Prepper Also, I forgot to mention Petroleum gauze & (duct) tape as the most affordable and easy to find option. I hope all this helps

[@GeordiePrepper]

Preacher .Man Ah nice, thanks man, I'll look into those ones you mentioned.

[@IntntnlProSatire]

Hey SM, so.. What's yer recommend for treating the guy with a 'bear skin rug' on his chest ;) Wahl clippers and a razor? ;) I mean, for the *Really* hairy mofo (and there are a Lot of 'em ;) I was advised (Exclusively for such-a case) to 'improvise' w/ a 'tampon' ('OB', specifically, since they're the shortest) and compression-gauze, and gorilla (vs 'duct') tape, as tight-down as possible (if a 'wrap' was not possible / practical...) Thoughts / experience?

[@tacticalcats7722]

Thank you for the info skinny medic. Also are you planning to do a vid on penetrating trauma to the abdominal area?

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Tactical Cats I can do a video on that

[@LKN4WAR]

Would the celox A applicator work for deep puncture wounds or GSWs where packing would be difficult or at least initially and then pack after. A long narrow syringe like device seems seems easier than gauze for deep narrow inserts. Ultimate cheap chest seal, a Glue trap for rats, maybe a bit difficult to vent tho😛

[@sexyy123fg]

Is there a good store/website to buy this kind of stuff? Also is there a huge price difference between vented/non-vented?

[@SkinnyMedic]

shop.skinnymedic.com

[@Ghostginthree]

Great video and info. Well done. Thanks.

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Ghostginthree Thanks!

[@bicommander7911]

nice vid skinny,maybe I will add one in my first aid kit 👍

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Bi Commander Awesome

[@bodysnatcher8122]

From the research I've done I hear that the halo is sticker and doesn't require as much cleaning off of blood and debris of the area. Halos stick better. I have the hifen but will be buying the halos.

[@medichartz]

Can you do a comparison between the different hemostatic dressings/gauzes? i.e. celox, combat gauze, quickclot

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Jon Hartmann I can

[@Suburbannite]

skinnymedic, should you pack a chest wound with gauze before applying the chest seal?

[@SkinnyMedic]

No just seal it

[@shawntaylor4676]

What about treating major lacerations and stab wounds ?

[@RenMan406]

Hello, I have a question about Celox. I was told that Celox is not used any more because they have found it causes damage to the exposed tissue. Any thoughts? Thank you.

[@SkinnyMedic]

I haven't heard that

[@Try_n_2Tri]

I commented on one of your vids... but more appropriate here. How do you suggest packing these large seals into IFAK?? You need to fold them.... I'm not suggesting crushing or creasing them, but how do you make them fit??? can they be folded and remain effective?

[@SkinnyMedic]

Yes you can fold them, no problems.

[@toyotafan83]

so does using chest seals take the place of having to use a decompression needle?

[@RJM1011]

Thank you for the video Mr S

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Richard Maunder Thanks

[@bru864]

I really appreciate your videos! Thanks for keeping me informed. I just finished up a EMR class through the Red Cross and the newest info from them is telling us not to put anything over a a sucking chest wound.... I understand that you would want to control bleeding but it makes no sense. Can you elaborate?? Thank

[@TylerLL2112]

kevin Brubaker I wonder If it's because of the venting issue. But I doubt it since there's vented chest seals... weird. Did you ever get an answer?

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

thank you for your knowledge and insight Can duct tape be used to make an improvised chest seal

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Kevin “Number 1 Detroit Red Neck” Romas Yes it can

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

+SkinnyMedic is there anything special we need to do to make a pressure relief valve I was thinking a hole in the main duct tape with a flap of duct tape over it for the valve

[@snakeeyes20a]

How do you decide whether to use a chest seal or decompression needle?

[@kylejackson1158]

snakeeyes20a their used in different situations. A chest seal is to prevent a tension pneumothorax, a decompression needle is to treat one that has already occurred.

[@1johnmthompson]

SM nice vidio. Still gonna carry my ashermans. Going with the devil I know and have worked with. But still very good info. Thank you

[@SkinnyMedic]

+1johnmthompson haha

[@MichaelLeopold1]

Thanks

[@tomm2812]

Good information. Best

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Tom M Thanks

[@andrewroush7815]

Can you fold the hyfins for storage in your kit?

[@SkinnyMedic]

yes

[@hotflash7486]

Why not use a Vaseline gauze with 3 sides taped?

[@wimpog97]

Is it legal for someone who's completed the Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED course to use chest seals?

[@davedsmer]

I guess it would depend on if they were included in the content of the class. If the class does not address how to use chest seals then you could risk going beyond your level of training when you are in court should it go to that. I would recommend taking a first aid for gun shot wounds or traumatic first aid class in your area if you can find one so you can show proof you know what you are doing. Try a first aid for gunshot wounds by US Law Shield which has classes nationwide and a first aid class from dark angel medical which is also nationwide if that give you a few resources to look up.

[@wimpog97]

Can it be considered a blood-stopping measure, just like you would apply a gauze or a bandage? It's pretty straightforward to use.

[@wimpog97]

Can it be considered a blood-stopping measure, just like you would apply a gauze or a bandage? It's pretty straightforward to use.

[@ytubeerr]

where is the best place to purchase this item

[@SkinnyMedic]

Hyfins from me! shop.skinnymedic.com

[@steved867]

If someone was shot in a lung why not cut a hole in the chest wall above the lung and clamp off that lung so they do not bleed out . Then seal the holes in the chest wall , long surgical Clamps are cheap and tiny snake cameras are reasonable in price . In America if you get shot with hollow point or soft point bullet that is going to rip the lung to pieces .

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Steve D Not in the field

[@tnnursemedic1922]

I think Tac-Med and NAR should get together...I'm sure they really care what I think...not

[@Mills141]

ummm.... vs? thanks for the info but what's your favorite?

[@SkinnyMedic]

+Gabe Logan I use the Hyfin

[@electricety]

we're can I buy yhis

[@TheMrKrause]

Chest wounds suck

[@samwagner31]

I see what you did there

[@SkinnyMedic]

+TheMrKrause haha yes pretty much

[@user-hl5qt2kn4l]

If you have furry chest or back - there is your ventilation... I am sure men love depilation done with these things,