What is an occlusive dressing?
Content
- What are the types of occlusive dressings?
- What is an occlusive dressing?
- When is it necessary to use occlusive dressings?
- Why it is important to store occlusive bandages correctly
- What conclusion can we draw
Every first aid kit should contain an occlusive dressing. This is a special airtight dressing that is applied to an open wound on the chest. In fact, it has only one task—to prevent air from entering the pleural cavity. If help is not provided promptly, an open pneumothorax occurs. Then air gets inside the lungs, causing them to collapse and preventing the person from breathing.
It should be noted that an occlusive dressing is a temporary measure that allows the wounded person to be stabilized until they receive qualified medical care. Today, in tactical medicine and army protocols, an occlusive dressing is considered an integral part of the standard IFAK kit.
What are the types of occlusive dressings?
Today, you can purchase several types of occlusive dressings. For example, there is a non-ventilated occlusive dressing or a valve dressing that has a ventilation function. Let's talk in more detail about the advantages, features, and disadvantages of each type.
A completely airtight (non-ventilated) dressing allows you to close the opening in the chest caused by trauma as tightly as possible. High-strength polymer materials are used in its manufacture. Specialized medical adhesive film is also often used.
This type of dressing should be used when it is necessary to close an open wound very quickly to prevent air from entering in the future. Most often, such dressings are used in the field when it is necessary to stabilize the condition of the wounded at any cost before qualified medical care can be provided.
However, before using this film, you should learn about its disadvantages. For example, the use of such a bandage in some cases leads to tension pneumothorax. When air accumulates in the pleural cavity without the possibility of escape, it forms excess pressure. This condition is critical: the lung can collapse under pressure and the heart can stop.
A bandage with a valve can also be used. This option is more modern compared to the one described above. It allows air to escape from the pleural cavity. In addition, there is no reverse air flow into the cavity.
The use of such a bandage significantly reduces the risk of tension pneumothorax, as it allows excess air to escape. If you have a choice, it is better to use this option. It is also the best option when a long evacuation to a medical facility is expected.
However, this bandage also has several disadvantages that should be taken into account. The valve may malfunction if it becomes contaminated with blood or dirt. In this case, when the valve stops working, the bandage will have to be replaced urgently.
What is an occlusive dressing?
Every first aid kit should contain an occlusive dressing. This is a special airtight dressing that is applied to an open wound on the chest. In fact, it has only one task—to prevent air from entering the pleural cavity. If help is
When is it necessary to use occlusive dressings?
Occlusive dressings should always be in your first aid kit. They are essential when it comes to open chest wounds and suspected pneumothorax.
In extreme cases, if you do not have a specialized bandage at hand, you can use a plastic bag. Cling film or other material with similar technical characteristics is also suitable.
If you use a non-ventilated bandage, you must closely monitor the condition of the victim. If you notice signs of deterioration (e.g., shortness of breath, blue lips, difficulty breathing), be prepared to perform decompression measures.
Therefore, if you have a choice, it is always better to use a bandage with a valve. This will significantly reduce the risk of health complications.
Why it is important to store occlusive bandages correctly
We have already established that an occlusive bandage should always be at hand. However, we must not forget that it is important to store it correctly. It often happens that in the most urgent situations, the bandage is damaged and can no longer be used.
Therefore, we will now discuss how to store dressings correctly:
- The dressing should be kept in its original packaging, which protects it from dust, moisture, and other contaminants that could negatively affect its airtightness;
- Try to store it in a way that avoids high temperatures, so we do not recommend leaving the first aid kit, for example, in a car in the sun, as this will damage the adhesive layer and, accordingly, impair the effectiveness of the product;
- Check the expiration date of the product. Bandages, like any other medical products, also have a certain storage life, after which they cease to be effective.
- Always keep several such bandages in your first aid kit, as situations can be completely different.
- Keep the product in a place that you can access as quickly as possible.
If you store the product correctly and periodically check the contents of the first aid kit, you will have an effective tool at hand that will one day help you save someone's life.
What conclusion can we draw
An occlusive dressing is one of the most important tools widely used in first aid for chest injuries. Using the film will allow you to temporarily stabilize the person's condition in order to gain time for professional medical care at a specialized facility.
Also, consider the characteristics of each bandage. For example, a non-ventilated bandage is easy to make from improvised materials, but after applying it, it is important to constantly monitor the condition of the victim. A ventilated bandage is considered a more modern and reliable solution, which is actively used in tactical medicine and emergency care.
Applying a bandage should only be considered the first step in providing assistance to the victim. Such actions cannot completely replace the intervention of medical professionals, so it is important to organize the delivery of the injured person to the hospital as quickly as possible.
During this time, their condition should be monitored: pay attention to consciousness, breathing rate and quality, skin tone, and pulse. If any alarming changes occur, immediately notify specialists and act according to the instructions received. This approach will help reduce the risk of complications and increase the person's chances of recovery.
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