Adjustable, waterproof wound shield

A method for protecting a wound, the method comprising:

• providing a waterproof shield element to cover a wound area of a user's body, the waterproof shield element comprising an elevated top surface that is configured to be elevated away from the user's body during use;
• coupling a seal element to a lower portion of the waterproof shield element, wherein the waterproof shield element comprises at least one of:
• (i) a base portion that is coupled to the lower portion of the waterproof shield element, wherein a first end portion of a flexible elongated projection is coupled to the base portion such that a second end of the flexible elongated projection extends away from the base portion of the seal element and away from the lower portion of the waterproof shield element and towards a center of a cavity defined by the waterproof shield element such that the second end of the flexible elongated projection is configured to extend between the base portion of the seal element and the user's body when the waterproof shield element covers the wound area of the user's body;
• and
• (ii) at least two projections that each extend away from the lower portion of the waterproof shield element and that each have a terminal portion that is configured to contact the user's body during use;
• and
• providing a retention mechanism to selectively retain the waterproof shield element against the user's body during use, the retention mechanism being configured to create, during use, a force between the waterproof shield element and the user's body to form an effective seal between the seal element and the user's body.

An apparatus for protecting a wound, the apparatus comprising:

• a waterproof shield element to cover a wound area of a user's body, the waterproof shield element comprising an elevated top surface that is configured to be elevated away from the user's body during use;
• a seal element coupled to a lower portion of the waterproof shield element, wherein the seal element comprises:
• a first annular, flexible projection that extends away from the lower portion of the waterproof shield element, that extends around a perimeter of the lower portion of the waterproof shield element, that, when at rest, has a curved terminal portion that extends towards a center of a cavity defined by the waterproof shield element, and that is configured to contact the user's body during use;
• and
• a second annular, flexible projection that extends away from the lower portion of the waterproof shield element, that extends around the perimeter of the lower portion of the waterproof shield element, that, when at rest, extends away from the center of the cavity defined by the waterproof shield element, and that has a terminal part that is configured to contact the user's body during use;
• and
• a retention mechanism to selectively retain the waterproof shield element against the user's body during use, the retention mechanism being configured to create, during use, a force between the waterproof shield element and the user's body to form an effective seal between the seal element and the user's body.