We live in a world today where accidents happen. Whether it is skinning a knee or accidentally cutting yourself while cooking, you will usually bleed at some point in your life. Administering first aid in this controlled setting allows the person to remain calm and collected as they determine exactly what needs to be done. You can even open your phone and run a quick Google search on how to deal with certain situations.
Unfortunately, not all first aid that needs to be administered is in a controlled circumstance. Gun violence has been on an upward trend in the last 10 years, with mass shootings such as the Parkland, Vegas, and Sutherland Springs tragedies most recently. With gunshot wounds now becoming a real possibility for the everyday citizen, it is important to know how to treat them in a stressful, possibly dangerous circumstance.
- Contact Emergency Medical Services. If you are in a situation where you do not access to a phone, ask for someone around you to call. This step can be done while administering care. Speaker phone is your friend.
- If you have a first aid kit near you (such as a classroom or gym) go and retrieve it. Gloves are important and sterile gauze will help reduce the risk of infection.
- Make sure that you identify the entry and exit wounds.
- If the bleeding is extreme, raise the affected extremity above the heart to slow blood flow.
- Apply pressure to both the entry and exit wounds with the cleanest material you have. Sterile gauze is ideal, but if nothing is available use a shirt or a jacket.
- Do not remove bandages or clothes. Continue to stack on more if they are bled through.
- Wait for help to arrive.
This is a situation that no one wants to be in. The likelihood of you being a victim of a mass shooting are low, but it is always important to be prepared. Try to stay as calm as you can, and never put yourself in danger to try to administer care to others. One victim is bad enough, don’t make it two by putting yourself in a risky situation.
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