Knowing how to care for yourself or someone else after a situation with gun violence could save a life.
Here are the steps to treat a gunshot wound until help arrives.
Ensure you are in a safe place and contact help. The first step is to ensure you are in a safe place. Take cover until you are sure the shooter has left the area. Contact local emergency services as soon as possible and alert them to the situation.
Find the source of the bleeding. Once you can turn your attention to the victim safely, determine where the bleeding is coming from. Remember that there may be multiple wounds, including entry and exit wounds. Avoid moving the person too much, as this could cause more harm.
Apply compression. If possible, remove clothing or any other debris from around the wound and apply pressure. Press down hard enough for the skin to bow. You may worry about harming the victim, but pressure must be enough to stop the bleeding and allow the blood to clot.
Keep warm. Traumatic blood loss lowers body temperature. Keeping the victim warm can help slow the bleeding. This can also help lessen shock, a life-threatening condition caused by blood loss. Loosening any tight clothing can also help reduce the possibility of shock.
Types of wounds. Torso wounds (chest, pelvis, back and belly) can only be helped by steady pressure. However, for arms or legs, you can slow the bleeding by using a tourniquet if available. Improvised tourniquets like belts, neckties or ripped clothes are far less effective than commercial tourniquet devices, and they can do more harm than good or even be life-threatening when applied improperly. Tie the tourniquet as far up the limb as possible, regardless of where the wound is on the limb. It should be tight enough that you cannot slip your fingers underneath and should be uncomfortable for the victim. Even with a tourniquet, it may still be necessary to apply pressure to the wound.
Some everyday items may help staunch bleeding. Plastic bags, a tampon or feminine pad, fabric or other everyday items can be used to slow the bleeding until help arrives.
Wash your hands afterward. Let your doctor know if you believe another victim’s blood may have gotten into a cut or a wound you have. Healthcare professionals can help with any bloodborne disease issues.
Seek mental health treatment. After a traumatic event, consider seeking mental health care for anxiety, depression, shock or any other concerns that may arise in the aftermath of a shooting. Realize that these emotions may not immediately appear. Some people are only impacted once their “fight or flight” hormones stop. This may be days or even a week after the event.
