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.
If you suspect that someone has suffered this kind of injury, ensure you call the emergency response team immediately. Call for help from anyone else that may be nearby. There emergency phone operator will often guide through on what to do. If they do not, then you will need to do a number of things 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.
Every attempt should be made to seal the openings that are provide a route for entry of air. In case of gunshot injuries, both the entry and exit wounds should be closed. This can be effectively achieved by use of adhesive tape. If such is unavailable any material that can create an air right seal can be used. The palm of the hand can be engaged as a last resort.
One of the most dreaded complications of this condition is what is known as tension pneumothorax. This complication tends to follow lung lacerations. Air escapes from the lungs and is trapped within the chest cavity. It increases progressively to the extent of interfering with the circulatory system and leading to death.
Once the seals have been created, you need to be wary of tension pneumothorax. Some of the signs that suggest this complication is setting include crackling sounds palpated under the skin, shallow rapid breaths, a blue coloration of fingers and engorged neck veins. If these are noted, the seal should be opened immediately. In case the patient stops breathing before the emergency team arrives then you will need to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR.
Getting the patient to a hospital should be done expeditiously. Because of the strain associated with this kind of injury, oxygen therapy is vital. At the same time, a doctor will need to let out as much of the air that has already been sucked in as possible. This is done by placement of what is known as a chest drain. The drain remains in place for hours or days.
Fortunately if treatment is undertaken promptly, there is good chance of recovery. In case of delays, however, death is almost certain. One may require a week or two to be discharged from hospital or a little longer if they sustained other injuries as well. Full recovery requires a couple of months.
If you suspect that someone has suffered this kind of injury, ensure you call the emergency response team immediately. Call for help from anyone else that may be nearby. There emergency phone operator will often guide through on what to do. If they do not, then you will need to do a number of things 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.
Every attempt should be made to seal the openings that are provide a route for entry of air. In case of gunshot injuries, both the entry and exit wounds should be closed. This can be effectively achieved by use of adhesive tape. If such is unavailable any material that can create an air right seal can be used. The palm of the hand can be engaged as a last resort.
One of the most dreaded complications of this condition is what is known as tension pneumothorax. This complication tends to follow lung lacerations. Air escapes from the lungs and is trapped within the chest cavity. It increases progressively to the extent of interfering with the circulatory system and leading to death.
Once the seals have been created, you need to be wary of tension pneumothorax. Some of the signs that suggest this complication is setting include crackling sounds palpated under the skin, shallow rapid breaths, a blue coloration of fingers and engorged neck veins. If these are noted, the seal should be opened immediately. In case the patient stops breathing before the emergency team arrives then you will need to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR.
Getting the patient to a hospital should be done expeditiously. Because of the strain associated with this kind of injury, oxygen therapy is vital. At the same time, a doctor will need to let out as much of the air that has already been sucked in as possible. This is done by placement of what is known as a chest drain. The drain remains in place for hours or days.
Fortunately if treatment is undertaken promptly, there is good chance of recovery. In case of delays, however, death is almost certain. One may require a week or two to be discharged from hospital or a little longer if they sustained other injuries as well. Full recovery requires a couple of months.
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