These kinds of lesions can be of 2 types: pulmonary and chest wall. It is necessary to keep those affected by a chest injury while conscious, sitting or with head and shoulders elevated. It’s always important to call for an ambulance.
Rib fracture
Rib fracture causes pain during the breathing, coughing or movement. You need to stabilize the ribs, making holding a pillow or other soft object to the victim, or wrapping the chest with an elastic bandage. Taking deep breaths and coughing to prevent the onset of pneumonia.
Closed chest trauma
In this case the ribs can be fractured in 2 or more points. The chest wall can move in the opposite direction, to which it is important to stabilize the chest through one of the following methods:
- Exercise a pressure with the hand.
- Spread the patient on the injured side with a blanket or garment under it.
Penetrating wound
If it is a penetrating wound you have to absolutely stabilize the object with a voluminous dressing, not try to remove the object. This could cause hemorrhage and entry of area in the thoracic cavity.
Suction chest wound
This occurs when a chest wound allows the area to enter and exit the chest. It is necessary to inhale and exhale, tightly closing the wound to prevent the area from entering from the chest cavity. If the victim has difficulty breathing or gets worse, get the area out, and immediately afterwards reapply what was previously used to close the wound.
Source: Mediserve‘s Pocket Guide to First Aid.
