INDIANAPOLIS – Central Indiana Police Foundation recently donated thousands of chest seals to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). These HyFin Vent Chest Seals will be distributed to every IMPD officer on the street, who will then be able to add the lifesaving tool to the trauma kits that they already have.
Each package comes with two seals which are good to use for about five years. The seals play a vital role in treating penetrating chest injuries, providing a quick and effective means to manage wounds and creating an airtight seal over the injury.
Penetrating chest injuries, often caused by gunshot wounds or stabbing incidents, can lead to pneumothorax or tension pneumothorax, conditions where air accumulates in the chest cavity, putting pressure on the lungs and heart. Without prompt and appropriate intervention, these injuries can be fatal.
In total, the chest seals cost about $24,000 and IMPD officers will be trained on how to use them. CIPF is continuing to raise funds in order to provide the tools to other law enforcement agencies. Community members are welcome to donate to the cause by visiting https://cipf.foundation/
Since 2015, IMPD officers have been equipped with special trauma kits that can be used to help save the life of an injured person before an ambulance can arrive. Inside the kits are items like heavy-duty medical shears, latex gloves, bandages and tourniquets. As of today, CIPF has assembled and donated 8,000 trauma kits to law enforcement agencies through Indiana.
