Step Two: Treat
The three immediate problems to look for are usually, in order of importance: no signs of life, heavy bleeding and a collapsing lung.
Remember, HIV and hepatitis may be caught from blood. So you and your helpers should use gloves or plastic or anything that can be a barrier between your skin and the blood.
Look for signs of life. If there are none, begin chest compressions. Start them as quickly as possible but again, only if there are no signs of life, such as breathing. Note: If the person is in a car, remember that you have to get them onto the ground to give proper chest compressions.
Have your helper put pressure on any areas of bleeding. (Or you can do this if you’re not performing chest compressions.) In addition to an entrance wound there may or may not be one or more exit wounds, and they’re not always where you think they should be.
Apply a tourniquet if the wound is on an extremity (arm, leg, hand or foot), bleeding is profuse, and it’s not slowing with direct pressure.
I
f the experts still haven’t arrived, plug any gunshot holes. Stuff them with a small wad of cloth or a tampon if available. Not only will that stop some of the bleeding, but if the bullet has injured and collapsed a lung, this step could keep the lung collapse from getting a lot worse.
Advanced tip: If you hear hissing or see bubbling from a chest wound, consider placing a credit card or something similar over it instead of plugging it with cloth. Click here for more on why; see the box titled “How to Make an Occlusive Dressing out of a Driver’s License.”
To expedite the arrival of expert help, onlookers should allow emergency vehicles to pass.
When first responders arrive, follow orders on how to continue to help. If nothing else, you may be able to help allow enough room for treatment and transfer.
Recap
To recap, these are the basic steps to take when someone is shot:
Ensure your safety.
Call 911.
Begin chest compressions if needed.
Stop the bleeding (look for entrance and exit wounds; use direct pressure and/or a tourniquet).
Plug gunshot holes with cloth or a tampon.