1 Control blood flow
2Dress wound
3Make victim comfortable
4 Summon help
32 FIRST AID
Penetrating chest wounds
A deep wound to the chest can cause direct or indirect damage to the lungs, which may lead to a collapsed lung, and damage to the heart. The aims of first-aid treatment for a penetrating chest wound are to stop the bleeding, to help prevent the victim from going into shock, and to get the victim to the hospital for treatment as quickly as possible.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Difficult, painful breathing
• Acute distress
• Presence of frothy blood at mouth
• Possible signs of shock
TREATING PENETRATING CHEST WOUNDS
1 Control blood flow
• Expose the wound and press the palm of your hand against it, or get the victim to do it himself.
• Support the victim in a semiupright or half-sitting position.
2Dress wound
• Cover the wound with a sterile dressing or clean pad.
• Cover the dressing with a piece of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or a plastic bag to prevent air from entering the chest cavity.
• Secure the dressing with a bandage or strips of adhesive or microporous tape. Apply the tape to three sides of the dressing only.
3Make victim comfortable
• Encourage the victim to lean toward the side of the wound.
• Try to make him as comfortable as possible, using additional cushions or pillows to support him as necessary.
• Loosen any restrictive clothing around his waist.
4 Summon help
• Dial 911 or call EMS. Tell the dispatcher where the injury is and describe the extent of the bleeding.
• Watch carefully for any signs of shock developing( p. 27).
! Important
• Use disposable gloves and / or wash your hands well when dealing with body fluids.
• If the victim is or falls unconscious, open his airway, check his breathing, and be prepared
to begin resuscitation( pp. 12 – 20).
• If you need to put him in the recovery position( pp. 14 – 15), lay him on his injured side.
Cover pad with plastic wrap and secure with tape