Originally Posted By: paramedicpete
A couple of things with occlusive dressings:

Keep the occlusive dressing just slightly larger than the wound. If the occlusive dressing is too large, you essentially create a secondary pleural space.


This wasn't mentioned in our class but makes perfect sense to me.

Quote:
Check for exit wounds. If found, apply an occlusive dressing to any additional sites.


We covered this well, although the CERT first aid module did a better job of teaching us to assess the patient.

Quote:
Try to apply and seal the occlusive dressing when the patient exhales.


We weren't taught this but it now seems obvious.

Quote:
If possible transport with the injured side down, but monitor patient’s condition constantly.


This was covered.

Quote:
If the patient complains of an increase in difficultly to breath, a decrease in the level of conscious and/or distension (enlargement/engorgement) of the jugular veins (large veins in the neck), you may have “burp” the occlusive dressing to relive trapped air and/or blood.


We were taught to use three sides of tape or a pre-made occlusive dressing, but this makes perfect sense to me.