Decompressing A Tension Pneumothorax

Decompressing a tension pneumothorax with a needle chest decompression can be a life saving procedure. However, there are significant risks if it is not correctly performed.

Minimally, you will need a 2 inch 14 gauge over the needle catheter (18 gauge for pediatric patients), antiseptic wipes to clean the site, tape to secure the catheter and a mechanism for creating a one-way valve. Unless you have access to commercial decompression supplies, the simplest way to construct a one-way valve is to use the finger from a glove and insert the IV catheter. Additionally, a 10 cc syringe filled with 5 cc of normal saline attached to the needle may be helpful. This is especially beneficial in a very noisy environment.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• EMT
• EMS
• Paramedic
• Tension
• Pneumothorax
• Chest
• Decompression
• Lung
• Injury

[Shorty20122012]

Crazy. lol

I'd stab a fucker in the heart trying to learn this from a youtube video. LOL

[paraguitarmedic]

Condom works great as a one way valve. The lube helps to ensure collapse on inhallation.

[emarbiz]

this is hard when you do it in a real patient

[bhstone1]

gloves will happen, but gown and/or mask won't ever happen in the field

[timmccullough1]

He has the same stethoscope as me :D

[joeyl853]

I had a full chest tube inserted

[airborne173ish]

your never gonna clean anything when this is your buddy down range your just gonna find the top of the 3rd rib then stick him

[Ultra9k]

@linznewton Yes, you're right!!

[linznewton]

does it look like this guy has settled on the 3rd intercostal space or i it just me?? if the 1st rib isn't palpable then the first gap under the clavicle should be the 1st IC space. He then finds another IC space, and goes one rib below that???

[Cheisu7]

I like how he just takes his dandy time getting his gown and everything on. Needle decompression isn't that difficult. He should've just done it, lol.

[kmb9522]

cool gown bro