Gun Shot Wound Trauma Training

[Wordupmybrotha]

How do you prevent shock?

[sfpcservice]

For limbs, direct pressure or tourniquet as required. For head, chest and abdomen bandage elevate legs and rapid transport.

[American Muslim Gun Owner]

Direct pressure, prevent shock, immobilize. Not sure what else you need to know if you're a lay person. GSW trauma is difficult to manage if you don't know what you're doing. Or you are ill equipped.

30 year paramedic here.

Yep. Direct pressure, tourniquet if applicable, call 911.

Thanks, I would love to hear more from you guys. I am a lay person and far from qualified. But with the recent shootings, I believe it would be good to have some knowledge on what to do until help arrives. What are your opinions on the courses mentioned? Do you feel there should be some minimal hands-on experience? I'm always worried about too much Hollywood in my head.

I very much like the "Direct pressure, prevent shock, immobilize." Very easy to remember and share with others.

Penetrating wounds to the head or chest/abdomen are close to un-treatable in the field. Most of the time it's 'stabilize until you can get the victim to the next higher level of care'; most important thing one might do is check mobile phone service for that 911 call.

Most lacerations, and penetrating wounds to limbs, can be handled with some training by lots of people.

See http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/2012/07...hot-treatment/ and http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/2012/07/26/gunshot-wounds/

Thanks Librarian. Both of those were very informative and easy to understand. And the comments sections was good too. Added to my bookmarks.



Thanks OTD, that is very good to know and something I would've never thought of.

And I hear you on calling from a cellphone. Earlier this year, I called 911 after noticing someone was driving very erratically. I got transferred to at least four different police departments by dispatch because we both drove through different cities and counties in a span of 5 minutes / 3 miles. It was very frustrating.

How do you prevent shock?

For limbs, direct pressure or tourniquet as required. For head, chest and abdomen bandage elevate legs and rapid transport.

Thanks!

[hermosabeach]

shock

How do you prevent shock?

you can't prevent shock...

You can ensure they don't fall/ pass out/ faint, fall and hurt themselves.
You can help the brain work by getting them to lie down and elevate the feet.
Heart pumps blood... lying flat and raising legs- think pillow under the legs-8-12"- this helps the heart circulate blood into the brain.

When injuries include the head / spine- only move if needed due to risk of paralyzing due to neck injury....



Shock signs include

Cool, clammy skin that may appear pale or grayish
Profuse sweating or moist skin
Bluish lips and fingernails
Rapid and weak pulse
Rapid and shallow breathing
Enlarged or contracted pupils (pupils can enlarge in septic shock, but can constrict in traumatic shock)
Low blood pressure
Low or no urine output
If the person is conscious, he or she will display an altered mental status such as being disoriented, confused, anxious, agitated, dizzy, lightheaded, or feel faint, weak, or fatigued
The person may complain of chest pain, nausea, and experience vomiting
Losing consciousness follows

[Dieppe42]

Agree totally with BigPimping and Hermosabeach...10+ years as an EMT, all of this talk about decompressing a chest...Please....Unless you are a 30 year Paramedic like Pimping, don't even think about this...

Most important things are ABC's and activate the system! Get definitive care on the way!

Also with hermosa's list of shock, most of those are lagging indicators, anxiety/confusion is more of a leading indicator.

[JohnBrian]

For limbs, direct pressure or tourniquet as required. For head, chest and abdomen bandage elevate legs and rapid transport.

If there is a head wound it's probably not a good idea to put a tourniquet around the neck.

Just sayin . . .

[BigPimping]

If you are a lay person and you even think about decompressing somebody in the field? That will likely kill them. Any sort of a pneumothorax should never be treated by anybody unless they have proper skills and training.

You may not agree with my taste in women, but take me seriously on this.

[RobG]

It's called "scene safety." Any violent crime, potential to be one, or an unknown sketchy situation will result in LE responding first to clear the scene. You telling dispatch it is a medical does not make it so. We get plenty of calls for simple medicals that we have to bail out of due to a dangerous situation.

[RobG]

If you are a lay person and you even think about decompressing somebody in the field? That will likely kill them. Any sort of a pneumothorax should never be treated by anybody unless they have proper skills and training.

You may not agree with my taste in women, but take me seriously on this.

Absolutely, on both counts I have never done one in my 27 years. And that is with spending 10+ in Richmond. They are rare occasions and usually when the person is near dead. They are also not very effective nor a definitive treatment. Anybody decompressing while not in an official capacity should have a good lawyer in their phone. I can guarantee it isn't going to be covered under the "good samaritan" clause.

[SCVlongstroke]

If you are a lay person and you even think about decompressing somebody in the field? That will likely kill them. Any sort of a pneumothorax should never be treated by anybody unless they have proper skills and training.

You may not agree with my taste in women, but take me seriously on this.

I forgot what country it was but there was that girl protesting and was shot almost center mass, she died in front of her father and on camera. Other people on scene were doing chest compressions on her while she was fully conscious and within moments she passed. I remember thinking the people trying to help probably did her more harm than good.

[RobG]

I forgot what country it was but there was that girl protesting and was shot almost center mass, she died in front of her father and on camera. Other people on scene were doing chest compressions on her while she was fully conscious and within moments she passed. I remember thinking the people trying to help probably did her more harm than good.

Years ago we arrived to find ConFire doing cpr on an older guy. When we walked up we could see the man watching what was going on. When I told them to stop cpr, they asked if I was sure

Ended up that he became dizzy in the heat and passed out. Chest hurt afterwards

[SomeGuy75]

If you are a lay person and you even think about decompressing somebody in the field? That will likely kill them. Any sort of a pneumothorax should never be treated by anybody unless they have proper skills and training.

You may not agree with my taste in women, but take me seriously on this.

[RobG]

Call BP, he will drop a couple large bore IVs, seal the wounds and drive like hell to my place.

Don't forget about him asking about your wife, or mother, mother in law, etc

[Squirly]

Great info for our community. Should be a sticky...

[SomeGuy75]

Don't forget about him asking about your wife, or mother, mother in law, etc

Oh he would love my wife. 5’ 9” blonde kick-boxing instructor MILF. But she’s all mine.
But I don’t hate on players lol. Just a squirrel trying to get a nut