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6/30/2025, 7:26:09 AM
>>63916006
The use of chest seals requires sufficient training to recognise and respond to a tension pneumothorax (of course, that response can be as simple as removing the chest seal).
Application of a chest seal can potentially turn a relatively benign open pneumothorax into a life-threatening tension pneumothorax. A chest seal blocks entry of air into the pleural space via the hole in the chest wall but it does nothing to stop air entering the pleural space via the hole in the lung - if it's the hole in the lung which has formed a one-way valve then the hole in the chest wall is the only thing preventing a build up of pressure and pulmonary collapse, and you've just plugged that hole with the CS. Vented seals theoretically avoid this risk (see pic rel) but in real world conditions they're liable to clog with blood.
CSs are a good tool to have, you just need someone who knows what a tptx paying attention to the casualty who can either dart them or burp the seal if necessary.
The use of chest seals requires sufficient training to recognise and respond to a tension pneumothorax (of course, that response can be as simple as removing the chest seal).
Application of a chest seal can potentially turn a relatively benign open pneumothorax into a life-threatening tension pneumothorax. A chest seal blocks entry of air into the pleural space via the hole in the chest wall but it does nothing to stop air entering the pleural space via the hole in the lung - if it's the hole in the lung which has formed a one-way valve then the hole in the chest wall is the only thing preventing a build up of pressure and pulmonary collapse, and you've just plugged that hole with the CS. Vented seals theoretically avoid this risk (see pic rel) but in real world conditions they're liable to clog with blood.
CSs are a good tool to have, you just need someone who knows what a tptx paying attention to the casualty who can either dart them or burp the seal if necessary.
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