Less Lethal Weapon Injuries

Impact Weapons - Pepperball

Impact to the chest at any distance should include examination for:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath (SOB)
  • Flail Segment
  • Crepitus
  • Asymmetric inspiration and expiration 
  • Blood in the phlegm
  • Diminished or absent lung sounds
You may also want to consider ALS Paramedics because a traumatic blunt force injury to the chest will warrant a 12-Lead ECG. Cardiac dysrhythmias, heart murmurs or sudden death may occur with a direct blow to the chest. [25, 26]