I know by initial posts have been related more to the Public Health, Pandemic Virus, Solar power, and other venues, so I'd like to switch gears now. I am going to try and do some product reviews of medical items. Today, I am posting a thread on HALO Chest Seals, I know their are many other seals out there, but for me, the HALO Chest Seal is possibly the easiest and under stressful situations like a sucking chest wound. The HALO is by far the best. My dad before he passed away use to trade lesson moments on to me and even at the age of 40, I was receptive to his ways. One of his favorite sayings since he was old Army was takes a war for the military and the contractors to get in right. If your an old Vietnam Vet and did your tours, you will remember in the mid 60's that many savvy soldiers and marines didn't discard their M-14, for the sleek new carbine (M-15) because it had difficulties with just about everything...funny how things come full circle, and a new sleek weapon that is based off the old M-14 is now in the warfighter. Alas, the HALO Chest Seal is one that has not only proven its reliability and ease of use in the modern battlefield, but has become a staple in all my teams IFAK. Not only do I not inspect the IFAK, I make sure that at least semi-annually, our team does a gear check of the IFAK, but knows how to use them. If your familiar with the IFAK, we upgraded the IFAK and keep introducing new material as it enters the market.
So I am a big follower of Warriorhealer22, Doc Pops and Dr. Henley...I typically reread most of their threads, just to refresh my memory since I am no longer working in combat medicine, nor emergency medicine. So to start things off and I agree with Doc Pops that should we have an "Event", AKA to the rest as SHTF or TEOTWAWKI, the possibility of survival of a gunshot wound is very slim. Yes, and if your a combat vet, going to throw the idea of the "Golden Hour" without a true surgeon with MFST capability...slim margin at best, but I'm still going to throw this thread out there...just to keep us focused on preps, at a minimum, the HALO Chest Seal will be a lifesaver if you have an accident on the firing range or in a training accident, many things can cause of sucking chest wound like an automobile accident or even a protrusion injury following a tornado, so keep that in your back of your mind, when reviewing this thread.
Direct Quote from Warriorhealer22: Chest wounds- the ribs do a good job of deflection but open chest wounds need to be treated quickly- this is a breathing issue as well as a circulation issue and may lead to an airway issue. "Sucking chest wounds" occur when the lung is trying to draw air or exhale from the hole. Often entrance wounds will not produce this as the musculature will often act as a seal. it is the exit wounds that will be sucking. It is not wrong to treat any chest wound as a sucking chest wound. Also, remember, anything done in the field will not fix the problem! Surgery will.
Wow, when I saw this thread, summed up my thought and you'll notice I didn't weigh in at all on the thread on Gunshot wounds, because everyone summed it up perfectly.
So here is the
It is very simple to use, it comes with two seals, one front and one rear (exit wound or through and through). Since you'll already be protected make sure not to get your glove fingers on the sticky side, if you do, then part of your nitrile glove will go with it. Clean both the front of the chest and back of the chest (if it is a through and through wound) with 4x4 gauze or just about anything to remove all the blood that is on the surface of the body, pay close attention to the wound site. If you can practice sterile precautions great, but remember time factor. Place the seal on the front chest and then place the rear seal on the back (if an exit wound is visible). Remember to monitor your patient, you may have to release the pressure, in that case you can lift one corner of the front seal to help relieve the pressure (for the novice that is like burping a Ziploc bag that has air in it, same premise, just couldn't explain it any other way...so cut me some slack, medical professionals).
Their is a good video of the HALO Chest Seal, so it saves me from begging my son to edit a video for me.
I am going to try and do a product review every so often, if their is interest in doing so, please be so kind to give me feedback or at least hit that like thing, so at least I know I am helping you all, if not, I don't want to waste your time and focus on something else. My next one post I think will be showing you the improved IFAK that I've built. Just to help those struggling to address a individual first aid kit. Have a great week all!
So I am a big follower of Warriorhealer22, Doc Pops and Dr. Henley...I typically reread most of their threads, just to refresh my memory since I am no longer working in combat medicine, nor emergency medicine. So to start things off and I agree with Doc Pops that should we have an "Event", AKA to the rest as SHTF or TEOTWAWKI, the possibility of survival of a gunshot wound is very slim. Yes, and if your a combat vet, going to throw the idea of the "Golden Hour" without a true surgeon with MFST capability...slim margin at best, but I'm still going to throw this thread out there...just to keep us focused on preps, at a minimum, the HALO Chest Seal will be a lifesaver if you have an accident on the firing range or in a training accident, many things can cause of sucking chest wound like an automobile accident or even a protrusion injury following a tornado, so keep that in your back of your mind, when reviewing this thread.
Direct Quote from Warriorhealer22: Chest wounds- the ribs do a good job of deflection but open chest wounds need to be treated quickly- this is a breathing issue as well as a circulation issue and may lead to an airway issue. "Sucking chest wounds" occur when the lung is trying to draw air or exhale from the hole. Often entrance wounds will not produce this as the musculature will often act as a seal. it is the exit wounds that will be sucking. It is not wrong to treat any chest wound as a sucking chest wound. Also, remember, anything done in the field will not fix the problem! Surgery will.
Wow, when I saw this thread, summed up my thought and you'll notice I didn't weigh in at all on the thread on Gunshot wounds, because everyone summed it up perfectly.
So here is the
It is very simple to use, it comes with two seals, one front and one rear (exit wound or through and through). Since you'll already be protected make sure not to get your glove fingers on the sticky side, if you do, then part of your nitrile glove will go with it. Clean both the front of the chest and back of the chest (if it is a through and through wound) with 4x4 gauze or just about anything to remove all the blood that is on the surface of the body, pay close attention to the wound site. If you can practice sterile precautions great, but remember time factor. Place the seal on the front chest and then place the rear seal on the back (if an exit wound is visible). Remember to monitor your patient, you may have to release the pressure, in that case you can lift one corner of the front seal to help relieve the pressure (for the novice that is like burping a Ziploc bag that has air in it, same premise, just couldn't explain it any other way...so cut me some slack, medical professionals).
Their is a good video of the HALO Chest Seal, so it saves me from begging my son to edit a video for me.
I am going to try and do a product review every so often, if their is interest in doing so, please be so kind to give me feedback or at least hit that like thing, so at least I know I am helping you all, if not, I don't want to waste your time and focus on something else. My next one post I think will be showing you the improved IFAK that I've built. Just to help those struggling to address a individual first aid kit. Have a great week all!