How to seal an open chest wound
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
An open chest wound lets air in. Seal it and watch for pressure building.
Step by step
Cover now
Gloved hand over the wound. [1]
Seal
Vented chest seal; occlusive dressing if none. [1]
Check the back
For an exit wound. [1]
Watch
Worsening breathing, low blood pressure, absent breath sounds on one side: tension. [1]
Burp
Lift one edge of the seal to let air out; needle decompression if trained. [1]
Oxygen and transport
Position of comfort. [1]
Common errors
- Waiting for a seal.
- Missing the exit wound.
- Missing tension.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
Facts and steps follow NASEMSO National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines; NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.