Life threatening chest wounds can be very scary.You could save someone's life if you know what to do if someone around you gets a chest wound.You can still do a lot to prevent further injury and keep the victim alive if you seek out trained emergency personnel.
Step 1: If you need emergency services, call them.
It's important to get professional care for the patient.There is a difference between life and death.Call for emergency medical personnel if you want to dress the wound yourself.It is possible to call emergency services in places where cell phone service is not available.If you can't personally make the phone call, designate someone else to make it.If you know what to do when there is someone else around, you should call the emergency services.
Step 2: Protect yourself.
Before dealing with an injured person, you should take precautions.They are for your protection.Even though you are trying to prevent more serious harm to the victim, make sure to be safe.Use soap and water to wash your hands.If available, wear gloves.You can use bread bags if they are unavailable.If possible, wear a face mask.There is a safe way to dispose of blood or bodily fluids.
Step 3: Check for entry and exit wounds.
Both of the exit and entry wounds need to be dressed.If the wounds are not obvious, be sure to look underneath their clothes and on their back.If there is more than one opening, you should first handle a gaping wound.To cover the entire wound, use a cloth or a piece of clothing or plastic, as well as two inches past its edge.If you can hear air passing through the chest, tape two or three sides of the cloth down.The air will not build up in the chest.If you have a gaping wound, you should look for wounds where you can stop the bleeding.A gaping chest wound should be your first priority, but you should work to stop bleeding wherever you can.A chest wound can be characterized by bleeding, frothy blood, and difficulty in breathing.When the person inhales, the chest may not rise normally.
Step 4: Go to the wound.
Remove clothing and other objects from the area to expose the wound.If clothing is stuck to the wound, don't try to remove it, as it could cause more pain or injury.Do not try to clean the wound.If you are in a chemical environment, do everything you can to prevent the first aid provider from coming in contact with the chemicals.
Step 5: Cut a dressing from the material.
It's ideal to create a dressing out of sterile plastic.Depending on your circumstances, you may not have access to this.You can use the best thing available to you.It is possible to make a makeshift dressing out of the plastic packaging for a sterile bandage.A clean bag works well.Sometimes a credit card can be used if the wound is small.If you don't have clean plastic, you can use a folded piece of fabric.If you don't have anything else to use, you can use your own hand, which should be protected with a glove, as a last resort.
Step 6: The person should exhale.
If the person can exhale and hold it, you can place the plastic in their chest.The air is forced out of the wound.The person can breathe easier after the wound is sealed by forcing air out.If the person is unconscious or can't hold their breath, place the plastic on the wound after their chest falls.
Step 7: Place the plastic on the wound.
The plastic dressing should extend at least 2 inches beyond the wound edges.The dressing won't be sucked back into the wound.The dressing needs to be taped down.It is a good idea to tape the top and sides of the dressing.The person exhales when one side is open.It is ideal to use sterile medical tape.The victim will need to hold the plastic in place until the chest can be bandaged if no tape is available.
Step 8: Wrap a dressing around your chest.
Wrap one tail around the victim if you have a field dressing.Wrap the other tail around them and bring it back over the dressing.Tie the tails with a knot over the center of the dressing.The knot will help to keep the seal.The dressing shouldn't affect breathing.Put pressure on the plastic as you apply the dressing to the wound.You can use a sheet or long piece of fabric if you don't have a field dressing.
Step 9: Leave the objects that are jutting out.
Don't try to remove the object from the wound.A seal should be formed around it with the help of the plastic dressing.Place a heavy dressing around the object.The cleanest material should be used for this dressing.Wrap the bandages around the object.Tie the knot beside the object, not on it, when tying a knot in a bandage.An impaled object should only be removed at the hospital in an operating room, where bleeding can be controlled, because trying to remove it can cause life-threatening bleeding.
Step 10: Put the victim on their back.
If possible, place the injured side of the victim's body on the ground.They can sit up if this makes it hard to breathe.The victim should rest against a tree or wall if they are sitting up.If the victim is tired of sitting up, they should lie on their side.
Step 11: There are signs of tension pneumothorax.
A collapsed lung that has leaked air between the chest wall and the lung is called a tension pneumothorax.This can be deadly and must be avoided. Veins on the neck are a sign of a tension pneumothorax.
Step 12: Look for signs of emphysema.
This can be an early sign of pneumothorax.If the patient has a "crackling" sensation on their chest, face, or neck.It is not necessarily dangerous, but it is associated with pneumothorax.
Step 13: If needed, remove the seal.
Take off the seal to allow the air to escape if you suspect a tension pneumothorax.This can save the victim's life.
Step 14: Help minimize the shock.
If the victim can't be taken to a medical facility, do what you can to minimize shock.Chances are you have already gone into shock if you are severely wounded.You can minimize shock by keeping the person still and not moving them.If the person doesn't show any signs of life, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.There is a lot of tight clothing.The person should be covered with a blanket.They should not be allowed to eat or drink anything.The person will experience less blood loss if they apply pressure to the bleeding sites.