Originally Posted by
FMF_Doc
Don't count on the ambulance arriving quickly, I've been in wrecks in emergency vehicles that required us to tone out a different unit, delaying response times even more.
True. Most agencies will reduce to "code 2" (routine traffic) if weather or road conditions deteriorate.
As a paramedic, I'm not sold on the tourniquet idea if EMS is <30 minutes away unless a major artery is ruptured. If bleeding is minor (not spurting) simple direct pressure is usually enough to stop or control it.
As for your question regarding chest seals...I'm a definite proponent of occlusive dressings for civilian use. A collapsed lung severely reduces exterior respiration by way of reducing surface area of the lungs by 50%. This, in turn, reduces interior respiration (exchange of oxygen and CO2 in the lungs) which can lead to hypoxia and death. Occlusive dressings, if applied quickly, can delay or prevent lung collapse and greatly increase the chance of survival if EMS response is delayed.
Many comercial occlusive dressings are available. I prefer the Ascherman Chest Seal if you're buying commercially available products. However, in a pinch, a simple piece of plastic, alluminum foil, or candy bar wrapper can be utilized. Place the piece of plastic centered over the wound and tape down all four sides, leaving a corner un-taped. This will allow air to escape, but not enter.
A man with a gun is a citizen. A man without a gun is a subject.
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