Friendly neighborhood EMT here. Let's go over what you should do if you come upon a gunshot wound.
While there are many complications that can arise, depending on the wound's location, the first tasks are:
a) ensure scene safety
b) put on gloves if you have
c) stop bleeding
While there are many complications that can arise, depending on the wound's location, the first tasks are:
a) ensure scene safety
b) put on gloves if you have
c) stop bleeding
... most dangerous bleeding is arterial bleeding. Will be spurting, bright red blood. People can die within minutes.
If you have no medical supplies, act swiftly to apply as much pressure into the wound as possible. Lean into it. You are buying precious time for paramedics.
If you have no medical supplies, act swiftly to apply as much pressure into the wound as possible. Lean into it. You are buying precious time for paramedics.
Another way to buy time is to apply pressure to the artery above the wound as well. Let's take a gunshot wound to the leg
The femoral artery is located on the inside of the leg. While applying pressure, find the fold between groin/leg. You or another can drop a knee on it. Push.
The femoral artery is located on the inside of the leg. While applying pressure, find the fold between groin/leg. You or another can drop a knee on it. Push.
In the wake of the shooting in Florida, key thing to remember is to -- if it is safe -- act SWIFTLY to put pressure on a gunshot wound. You don't have to be an expert. You are buying vital seconds for first responders to save the person's life. Anything is better than nothing.
