Get to know the supplies within your Joint First Aid Kit (JFAK), CLS, and CMC bags. Vented chest seals are preferred.

Penetrating chest wounds (open or sucking chest wounds) are treated by applying a vented chest seal. Once a wound has been occluded with a vented chest seal, air can no longer enter the pleural space through the wound in the chest wall but can escape during exhalation. The injured lung will remain partially collapsed, but the mechanics of respiration will be better.

NOTE: If a vented chest seal is not available, use a non-vented chest seal.