Chest Seal

A chest seal is indicated when a patient has penetrating chest trauma from neck to navel, on the front, side or back of the chest. The chest seal doesn't control bleeding inside the chest cavity. Instead, the chest seal prevents air from entering the chest cavity.

Chest seal application

1. Bare the patient's chest.

2. Wipe away blood and other fluids to identify the wound location.

3. Apply the chest seal, following manufacturer directions, over the wound.

4. Assess the opposite side of the patient's chest, as well as the sides of the chest, for an exit wound.

The HCVI/MOAS protocol will be to use a non-vented chest seal (an appropriately sized hydrocolloid dressing (2x2, 4x4).

ANY patient with a penetrating chest wound should be CONTINUOUSLY observed for the development of a TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX.