Originally Posted By: JohnE
Is the 8 gauge needle to decompress your own chest or someone else's?

I'm trying to imagine punching a needle into my own thoracic cavity...

Are you a working EMT? I am, and I can't decompress anyone's chest with a needle, not if I want to keep working anyway.

John E


It's for whoever needs it. No, I'm not a working EMT - I just picked up the qual in the military.

I'm sure you could decompress yourself if you had to - I know a guy who has done it. Compared to whatever caused the tension-pneumo, I don't think the needle hurt that much...