Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

7 Bleeding, Wound Care and Trauma

Gunshot wounds Gunshot wounds often require life saving first aid and immediate medical care. Bullets carry tremendous energy that is transferred to the patient. A single gunshot can include multiple injury types depending what the bullet strikes. Bullets often take an erratic path or fragment inside the body when they hit bone. Often an exit wound is not in line with the entrance wound and can be some distance away. During the scene assessment, activate 911. Make sure that there is no danger to yourself. If there is a chance of any violence, do not risk exposure. Wait for the police. Depending on the extent of injury, first aid to the wound may be done in the primary or secondary assessment.

Control bleeding with direct pressure. Treat abdominal and chest injury as penetrating and provide care for internal bleeding and shock.

Be sure to examine the body carefully for a second wound as the bullet may exit on a very different angle than it entered.

Bullet Entry Wounds

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