Andy is correct on all counts
they also make good sterile waterproof coverings for the hands and feet (and keep dressings on head wounds :-D )
they can also be used to treat a Tension pneumothorax when used in conjuntion with a large bore IV needle
in a tension pneumothorax a wound in the chest wall (or the lung) allows air into the plural (sp?) cavity but not out, it is a comon injury of penatrating chest injurys
this resulting build up of pressure between the chest wall and the lung collapses the lungs and prevents the patient from breathing
covering the sucking chest wound at this point is too late as it prevents futher air from getting in but does not relieve the pressure inside
the way to release this pressure after covering the sucking wound is to locate the space between the ribs in line with the nipple and about three fingers down (or in line with the change in angle of the sturnum)
then insert the IV needle though the condom into the chest and after opening the tap to release the pressure, unravel the condom so that it hangs over the open end of the base of the needle so that it becomes a flutter valve allowing the air out but not in
Obviously dont try this on anyone unless you are a medical pro there are a number of dangers to this procedure that i have not mentioned here, this is intended to give you a basic idea of how this is done, it is by no means compleate
they also make good sterile waterproof coverings for the hands and feet (and keep dressings on head wounds :-D )
they can also be used to treat a Tension pneumothorax when used in conjuntion with a large bore IV needle
in a tension pneumothorax a wound in the chest wall (or the lung) allows air into the plural (sp?) cavity but not out, it is a comon injury of penatrating chest injurys
this resulting build up of pressure between the chest wall and the lung collapses the lungs and prevents the patient from breathing
covering the sucking chest wound at this point is too late as it prevents futher air from getting in but does not relieve the pressure inside
the way to release this pressure after covering the sucking wound is to locate the space between the ribs in line with the nipple and about three fingers down (or in line with the change in angle of the sturnum)
then insert the IV needle though the condom into the chest and after opening the tap to release the pressure, unravel the condom so that it hangs over the open end of the base of the needle so that it becomes a flutter valve allowing the air out but not in
Obviously dont try this on anyone unless you are a medical pro there are a number of dangers to this procedure that i have not mentioned here, this is intended to give you a basic idea of how this is done, it is by no means compleate