Debris protection and retrievability system for bridge plugs and packers

A method comprising:

• positioning a seal apparatus comprising a sealing element in an unactuated configuration at a location downhole within a wellbore,
• the sealing element configured to form a seal between the sealing element and a surface positioned adjacent to the sealing element when the sealing element is actuated into a sealing configuration,
• the seal apparatus further comprising at least one extrusion limitation assembly positioned at an end of the sealing element, the extrusion limitation assembly configured to limit or eliminate a lateral extrusion of the sealing element while the sealing element is actuated into the sealing configuration, the at least one extrusion limitation assembly having a plurality of radially expandable components that are completely enclosed in a fabric barrier sleeve configured to block debris from coming into contact with the plurality of radially expandable components;
• and
• actuating the sealing element by applying a laterally compressive force to the sealing element, the laterally compressive force expanding the sealing element in a radially outward direction to form the seal between a tool body of the seal apparatus and the surface positioned adjacent to the sealing element.