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.
Put in place measures that will stop further sucking of air. All the open wounds are to be sealed using tape (including the entry and exit wounds in case of gun shot wounds). If tape is not immediately available then consider any piece of plastic that can create an air right seal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Put in place measures that will stop further sucking of air. All the open wounds are to be sealed using tape (including the entry and exit wounds in case of gun shot wounds). If tape is not immediately available then consider any piece of plastic that can create an air right seal.
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.
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.
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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