Intended for emergency relief and temporary management of sUSPected tension pneumothorax. Because tracheal deviation and jugular venous distention may not always be identified, a tension pneumothorax should be supspected when the following three criteria are identified: 1) Increasing respiratory distress or difficulty ventilating a patient with a bag-valve-mask device. 2) Markedly decreased or absent breath sounds on the ipsilateral side. 3) Hemodynamic compromise (decompensated shock) manifested by hypotension and/or evidence of diminished perfusion.

• Catheter-over-needle placement facilitates controlled, minimally invasive catheter introduction
• Reinforced catheter prevents collapse