Looking for some forum input on carrying some basic medical kit items.
Since I've had zero real world experience in the area of chest seals, I'd like to see what others that have some experience think, and also recommendations as far as specific brands.
I have other basic items I carry in my car and a few in a backpack/briefcase (Tourniquet, Israeli Bandage) and have been considering a chest seal for abdominal or chest punctures. These could be needed for the more likely event of a serious auto accident or firearms injury.

Do you see them often used in accidents and are they easy for an untrained person like me to apply in an emergency?

Are there certain brands to get or stay away from?

https://www.amazon.com/Rusch-I...n%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-5


We used these for years at my FD. Easy to use, do what they are suppose to. We didn't get them from Amazon though.

Edit to add these are more for sucking chest wounds. Puncture to the chest. Nothing to do with the Abd. Also If you are unfortunate enough to have to use one of these or any other you will need to wipe area off of heavy blood before sticking it to them. That's just the way it is.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is get some training. The best chest seal is worthless if you don't know how to use it. There are classes called 'stop the bleed' that deal specifically with this issue. I also took a motorcycle specific first aid class that focuses on heavy bleeding first aid.

https://www.stopthebleed.org/training/

https://www.verywellhealth.com...20used%20by%20anyone.

+1 on the training. Preferably done hands on by a local expert. I'd then purchase the same seal you used for training. You could also purchase a spare set to practice with. The first time you see the chest seal shouldn't be when you are trying to put it on someone.

I use vented Hyfin chest seals, because that what I got trained on in CLS back in the day. But I can't give you a quantified reason why.

I was teaching a First Responder/TacMed class last week and opened a Hyfin vented chest seal that had been in my car for at least 12 years.

Damn thing was just like new. Absolutely amazed me.

But I’ve seen others that were 2 years old and the adhesive had already melted.

My advice? Not a bad thing to have, but duct tape and some plastic work too.

Just like a CAT or SOF-T. Great to have, but I’d rather have the guy that can make an effective tourniquet out of a pair of gym shorts.

Find some good training, then go from there…that’s my advice. Penetrating thoracic trauma is not a normal thing in everyday life. Covering the hole with your hand until a responder with the appropriate training/equipment will be a solid initial plan.

We use Hyfins. Strongly recommend but if you go to training and someone puts one on your shirt instead of on your chest you will never really be happy with that shirt again. I can only imagine what would happen to your chest hair.