The cause of most, if not all, sucking wounds are penetrating chest injuries. The most obvious sign that someone has sustained a sucking chest wound is when there is evidence of an open wound and a sucking or hissing sound when they are breathing in and out. However, these may not always be present.
Upon suspecting this kind of injury, call emergency services immediately. Try to also call for another person or two within the vicinity to help as you wait for the emergency response team. In some situations, you may be instructed on what to do by the emergency number operator. If such guidance is not available, there are a number of things you can do as you wait.
The first step should always be ensure your own safety. If there are any falling objects ensure that you pull the victim from the area. Wash your hands and glove up. Inspect the site of injury and look for objects or pieces of clothing around the wound. These should be carefully removed. If you notice any object that is stuck in the injured area, do not remove it forcefully. Doing so is likely to worsen the initial injury.
The objective is to make sure that no more air gets sucked in. All the open wounds should be sealed by use of tape. If a tape is not available then any air right material such as plastic strip can be used. The palm of the hand can be used as a last resort if there is no other option.
The complications resulting from this form of injury vary depending on the exact site injured. Deep injuries are likely to have the lungs involved and may lead to a potentially fatal complication known as tension pneumothorax. In this condition, air leaks from the lungs and builds up within the chest causing excess pressure on other organs such as the heart and major blood vessels.
If you notice the patient having increasing difficulties in breathing associated with crackling sounds under the skin and engorged veins in the neck region, open the seal. This is highly suggestive of tension pneumothorax. The build up of pressure needs to be relieved immediately. If the patient loses consciousness and stops breathing you need to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, as you wait for help.
Once the patient arrives to the hospital, there are a number of interventions that will be undertaken. Because of the strain in breathing, they will be receive oxygen supplementation through a facial mask. The next important thing is to provide an escape route for the trapped air to escape. This is done by fixing an under water seal drain tube through the ribs into the pleural and leaving it in place for some hours or a few days.
If you give the right stabilization measures and the patient makes it to hospital for there operation, there is a very high likelihood of survival. The most important thing to remember is that time is of great essence and a second lost may make the difference between survival and death. On average, one will be retained in the hospital for a period of seven to ten days. Resumption of regular routine takes between three and six months.
Upon suspecting this kind of injury, call emergency services immediately. Try to also call for another person or two within the vicinity to help as you wait for the emergency response team. In some situations, you may be instructed on what to do by the emergency number operator. If such guidance is not available, there are a number of things you can do as you wait.
The first step should always be ensure your own safety. If there are any falling objects ensure that you pull the victim from the area. Wash your hands and glove up. Inspect the site of injury and look for objects or pieces of clothing around the wound. These should be carefully removed. If you notice any object that is stuck in the injured area, do not remove it forcefully. Doing so is likely to worsen the initial injury.
The objective is to make sure that no more air gets sucked in. All the open wounds should be sealed by use of tape. If a tape is not available then any air right material such as plastic strip can be used. The palm of the hand can be used as a last resort if there is no other option.
The complications resulting from this form of injury vary depending on the exact site injured. Deep injuries are likely to have the lungs involved and may lead to a potentially fatal complication known as tension pneumothorax. In this condition, air leaks from the lungs and builds up within the chest causing excess pressure on other organs such as the heart and major blood vessels.
If you notice the patient having increasing difficulties in breathing associated with crackling sounds under the skin and engorged veins in the neck region, open the seal. This is highly suggestive of tension pneumothorax. The build up of pressure needs to be relieved immediately. If the patient loses consciousness and stops breathing you need to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, as you wait for help.
Once the patient arrives to the hospital, there are a number of interventions that will be undertaken. Because of the strain in breathing, they will be receive oxygen supplementation through a facial mask. The next important thing is to provide an escape route for the trapped air to escape. This is done by fixing an under water seal drain tube through the ribs into the pleural and leaving it in place for some hours or a few days.
If you give the right stabilization measures and the patient makes it to hospital for there operation, there is a very high likelihood of survival. The most important thing to remember is that time is of great essence and a second lost may make the difference between survival and death. On average, one will be retained in the hospital for a period of seven to ten days. Resumption of regular routine takes between three and six months.
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