A Better Solution for Penetrating Injuries to the Chest

A chest seal has to stick to be effective. That’s why Clearwater Fire & Rescue in Florida uses the HyFin® Vent Chest Seal by North American Rescue®, LLC.

“We use a lot of North American products,” says Lieutenant/Paramedic Chris Hoyne. “We chose the HyFin® Vent because it’s small and fits in your kit, and the patch is effective. The whole point is to stick, and it’s very sticky when you go to put it on something.”

Hoyne says this isn’t always the case with other brands. “Sometimes with the chest seals—it doesn’t stick well on the skin. Others have slid right off, especially when here’s blood involved,” he says.

North American Rescue®, LLC attributes the stickiness to “an enhanced adhesive gel formulation that creates a superior seal, even in the most adverse conditions.” The product also features a transparent backing that allows placement directly over a wound and easily conforms to the patient’s chest to help create that superior seal. In addition, the seal features a red elliptical tab for single step peel-and-apply application that can also facilitate “burping” of the wound.

Hoyne says Clearwater Fire & Rescue has been carrying the original HyFin chest seal for several years, and has had the opportunity to use it both in training and in real chest injury situations.

The HyFin® Vent is a newer product, in which the patented, built-in vent prevents airflow into the chest cavity during inspiration while allowing air to escape through the vent channel during exhalation.

“We’ve trained with the newer one but haven’t gotten to use it on a patient yet,” Hoyne says. That training, however, has given the department more than sufficient confidence in the product.

“It’s small and compact. You can bend it, fold it in half, and it’ll still stick when you need it to.”

Visit www.NARescue.com.