Chest Seal Application: Sealing a Chest Wound on Your Partner
Updated: Nov 2
By Amir Khillah, use-of-force & subject-control SME
A partner with a gunshot wound to the chest needs fast, correct care while you wait for EMS. Chest seal application is a simple skill, but the details matter: scene safety, cleaning the wound, valve placement, and checking for an exit wound. This video walks through it with a vented chest seal. Follow your agency's medical training and protocols; this post is a refresher, not a substitute. This is not medical advice — get hands-on training (e.g., TCCC/TECC or Stop the Bleed).
Scene safety first
Patient and personal safety is the first step. Don't rush in if you just took fire or your partner doesn't know where the suspect went. If your partner is conscious, give clear commands: can you see where he went, can you cover, can you crawl to me. Once the scene is secure and other officers hold a perimeter, start care.
Why a vented chest seal
A chest wound can let air collect between the lung and the chest wall, which can become a tension pneumothorax. The seal shown has valves designed to let air out but not back in.
Applying the chest seal
Apply pressure and control bleeding.
Wipe the area clean so the adhesive sticks and debris stays out.
Open the seal, sticky side down, and center the valve over the wound.
Press the adhesive onto the skin carefully; you don't need to touch the valve.
Watch your partner's breathing; if it gets worse, follow your training — that can mean briefly lifting (burping) the seal. Tell EMS.
Always check for an exit wound
A common mistake in training is stopping after the front. Tell your partner you're rolling him, roll, and check the back. If there's an exit wound, clean it. Seal the exit wound with a second chest seal (vented or non-vented) or improvised occlusive material. Then hand off to EMS and tell them exactly what you did.
Building your kit
Buy chest seals from reputable medical suppliers and check expiration dates; surplus and counterfeit seals can fail. Carry at least one chest seal and train with it.
Related: Tourniquet application and Quick extraction buddy carry. On carrying the right gear, see my Police1 article Why every officer should carry a duty knife.
Frequently asked questions
When is a chest seal used?
For a gunshot or penetrating wound to the chest, where air entering the chest cavity can lead to a tension pneumothorax. A vented chest seal lets air out but not back in.
What is the first step before applying a chest seal?
Make sure the scene is safe. Patient and personal safety comes first; don't run in to help if you just took fire or don't know where the threat is.
Do you check for an exit wound?
Always. Roll the patient and check the back. Bullets can go in without coming out, but they can exit, and a second wound needs to be sealed too.
Related reading: Centurion training for agencies · The Officer's Top-10 Field Guide · Training a spouse or family member? Guardian Ludus civilian self-defense
About the author. Amir Khillah is a use-of-force and subject-control subject matter expert and a peace officer based in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. He founded Centurion Modern Subject Control, previously taught subject control at a regional police academy, and has written for Police1. He holds a 2nd-degree BJJ black belt and a 6th-degree Combat Hapkido black belt, is a U.S. Army Combatives Level II Instructor and a certified firearms instructor, and a retired professional MMA fighter (TUF 12, Bellator), and holds an M.S. in Human Performance from Western Michigan University.
Want this taught to your officers or DT instructors? Email booking@centurionmsc.com.
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