NOTE: These treatments are conducted during the tactical field care phase.

Expose the area around the open chest wound by removing, unfastening, cutting, or tearing the clothing covering the wound.

Do not disrupt the wound any more than is necessary. Do not try to clean the wound or remove debris from the wound.

a. Chemical Environment.

If you are in a chemical environment, make sure the casualty remains masked. Do not remove the casualty’s protective clothing. Cut the casualty’s protective clothing (if necessary) to expose the wound, apply sealing material to the wound, apply a dressing (tails go on outside the protective clothing), and repair the protective clothing as quickly as possible. Evacuate the casualty as soon as possible.

b. Stuck Material.

If clothing or other material is stuck to the wound area, do not remove the stuck material since removing it might cause additional damage to the wound. Cut around the material so the seal and dressing can be applied on top of the stuck material.

c. Protruding Object.

If an impaled object is protruding from the wound, do not remove the object.