I see where you're coming from, but what I was told, in that case, you tape one hole completely closed and put the ACS on the other hole. I'm sure someone on here would know for sure. It seems like the contents list for every blow-out kit I've ever seen only includes a single ACS.
We've been using Hyfin dressings. But we also needle chest decompress.
Ashermans don't stick too well when there's alot of blood and need to be taped down. Hyfin dressings stick like crazy. If there's an exit wound we tAke the hyfin wrapper and some three inch tape and make another occlusive dressing. Or another Hyfin if there's an obundance.
Patching one hole completely with any air tight sheeting (MRE bag for example) and then using the Ashermans on the other side will help prevent a sucking chest wound from building into a tension pneumothorax. The flutter valve that sticks out should let the air out one way so air build up inside the chest cavity can't start crushing the lung in the affected side. You could also try achieving this by taping a square dressing down on three side leaving one open for air to escape if no seals are available.
As far as flail chests/ wityh a hemothorax, Saran wrap and Defib pads work great. The finger from a rubber glove and a long assed 14G cath for decompression.
Which one is better?
http://www.chinookmed.com/cgi-bin/it...--------------
http://www.chinookmed.com/cgi-bin/it...--------------
Thanks Casey
my dept carries asherman chest seal. they seem to work pretty good.
Believe it or not, the round ECG electrodes work great for small arms fire. Although I am currently in Iraq (contractor), I come from a city where we work quite a few small arms GSW's. Electrodes are very quick and easy to apply and surprisingly work very well. I've used them at least 2 dozen times and have never been questioned by the ER trauma staff...generally I get quite the opposite and am usually praised for the creative use.
Just make sure to mark GSW on them so there is no confusion
Last edited by BaileyMoto; 07-03-10 at 05:06.
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