Bill Tarrant EMT-P I/C

Chest Injury Divisions

Chest Injuries are broken into 2

categories:
1. Open chest injury-Must have opening or

break in skin.
2. Closed chest injury-Usually from blunt
trauma to chest cavity.

Closed Chest Injuries

Treatment of the
Pulmonary Contusion

1. Supplementary Oxygen ASAP!

2. Check for flail chest and treat
accordingly.
3. Even without flail chest area may
experience relief with soft pressure to
affected area.
Signs and symptoms may take hours to
develop, due to slow swelling to area.
GOOD PATIENT ASSESSMENTS!

Pericardial Tamponade

Pericardial Tamponade Signs:

1. Trachial Deviation
2. Narrowing Pulse Pressures
3. Distended Neck Veins (JVD)

Treatment:
1.Rapid Transport! Treatment requires
Pericardiocentesis.

Treatment Continued:
2. High Flow O2.

Tension Pneumothorax

Tension Pneumo Signs:

1. JVD
2. Trachial Deviation
3. SOB
Late stages patient unable to take deep

inspiration and blood pressure affected due

to squeezing affect.

Treatment:
1. High flow O2!
2. Get the medics!
Chest Decompression

ON TO THE OPEN CHEST

WOUNDS

The Old Implaled Object

1. Dont remove!
2. Stabalize in position.
3. High flow O2
4. Treat for shock.
5. To large to transport, cut above not
below..

The Sucking Chest

Wound

The art of the 3 sided

dressing.