A gunshot wound can cause severe bleeding very quickly. The first step is to stop the bleeding. Tourniquet the wound to stop the blood flow, and apply pressure to stop bleeding in other body areas. When you're sure that no one else needs your help, give first aid for shock by raising that person's legs above heart level and giving a blanket or pillows if possible
A gunshot wound can cause severe bleeding very quickly.
Blood loss can be very serious and lead to shock, which is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention.
Shock is caused by a sudden decrease in blood pressure or fluid volume within the body. Signs of shock include:
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Cold, clammy skin (pale or gray)
- Rapid heart rate (over 100 beats per minute)
The first step is to stop the bleeding.
There are several ways to do this:
- Apply pressure directly over the wound with a clean, non-compressible material like a shirt or towel. If there is no bleeding, apply pressure for at least 15 minutes. The longer you can keep blood from flowing out of an injured person's body, the better their chances of surviving without serious injury or dying from blood loss (hemorrhage).
- Call 911 as soon as possible so that medical professionals can help stabilize your loved one and get them immediate care at an emergency room if necessary. Tell them exactly what happened--who was shot and where--and tell them if there are any other victims who need assistance as well; they'll want that information before sending out first responders so they don't waste precious time looking around aimlessly when everyone else needs help now!
Tourniquet the wound to stop the blood flow.
- Apply a tourniquet above the wound.
- Tie the tourniquet loosely around your arm or leg, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation in your limb. The goal is to slow down blood loss, not stop it completely; this will help keep you from passing out while waiting for medical help (and may even save your life).
- Leave on no longer than 20 minutes; if bleeding has stopped when time's up, remove the tourniquet and replace it with direct pressure until EMS arrives on the scene--which should be soon!
Apply pressure to stop the bleeding in other body areas, including the chest and abdomen.
If there is bleeding from other areas of the body, apply pressure to stop it. If a cloth or bandage isn't available, use your hand.
Apply pressure for at least 10 minutes if possible and until help arrives. Do not remove any clothing that may be stuck in the wound; instead, keep it elevated if possible.
If you cannot stop severe bleeding with direct pressure on top of gauze pads or torn pieces of clothing (such as denim), then apply tourniquets as needed in order to save lives while waiting for medical professionals with supplies and equipment who can provide better care than what's available now!
When you're sure that no one else needs your help, give first aid for shock.
- Call 911. If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, call 911 immediately and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
- Keep the victim warm by covering them with blankets or coats if possible (but don't remove any clothing stuck to the wound).
- Keep calm yourself so that you can keep the victim calm and quiet--try singing softly if it helps! Do not move him or her unless absolutely necessary; moving may cause more damage than staying put would have caused in this case! If possible, elevate their legs above their heart level; this will help decrease bleeding from internal organs like lungs or intestines which might otherwise be damaged by gravity pulling blood down towards lower parts of the body where gravity pulls blood down lower parts of the body where there isn't as much oxygen available
Get medical attention for everyone who was shot ASAP.
- Call 911. If you are not trained in first aid, call 911 immediately.
- Keep the victim calm and warm. If the victim is bleeding, you can use bandages or cloth from their shirt to stop the bleeding while waiting for medical attention--try not to move them if possible! Make sure that they do not eat or drink anything until after they have received treatment at a hospital.
- Do not leave anyone who has been shot behind when leaving an area where gunfire could still be present.
- If there are other people injured by gun violence who need your help before this particular individual does (for example, if someone else was also shot), please help them first before returning back here
Gunshot wounds are serious and fast-acting, but there are ways to stop the bleeding until help arrives
Gunshot wounds are serious, but you can save a life if you're prepared to give first aid for gunshot wounds. The most important thing is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible so that your friend or family member will have time to get to a hospital before they die from blood loss.
First aid for gunshot wounds involves applying pressure directly over the wound with gauze or cloths until help arrives and professional medical attention can be given. If there's more than one person injured by gunfire, make sure no one else needs your help before starting first aid--you'll want all hands on deck!
Conclusion
Gunshot wounds are serious and fast-acting, but there are ways to stop the bleeding until help arrives. If you're ever faced with this situation, follow these steps: First, tourniquet the wound to stop the blood flow (if needed). Next, apply pressure to stop bleeding in other body areas like the chest or abdomen; then check if anyone else needs your help before tending to yourself lastly get medical attention ASAP for everyone involved.
