When assisting a person with a severe chest wound, what should you do in the absence of vented chest seals?

In the case of a severe chest wound, leaving the chest wound exposed would not be the appropriate action, as it could potentially lead to further complications, such as air entering the chest cavity and causing a pneumothorax.

The correct response involves applying a clean, occlusive dressing to the wound to prevent air from entering the chest cavity and to minimize the risk of infection. An occlusive dressing can help to seal the wound effectively, and in the absence of specialized equipment like vented chest seals, improvising with available materials can be vital in managing the injury. This technique is critical in providing immediate care and stabilizing the patient until emergency medical services can take over.