Witnessing a gunshot injury creates an urgent situation. Understanding how to respond appropriately can influence the outcome for the injured person. Immediate and informed actions are important, focusing on life-saving interventions.
Prioritizing Safety and Calling for Help
The first step in any emergency involving a gunshot is to ensure personal safety. Remaining in an unsafe environment prevents effective aid and can turn a rescuer into a victim. If a threat is ongoing, the response should be to run to safety, hide, or, as a last resort, fight.
Once personal safety is established, immediately contact emergency services by calling 911. Clearly communicate the situation, including the location, the nature of the emergency, and any known injuries. Providing precise information helps ensure appropriate medical and law enforcement personnel are sent quickly.
Understanding CPR in Gunshot Cases
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) aims to circulate blood and oxygen when a person’s heart has stopped. While CPR can be beneficial for cardiac arrest from medical causes, its effectiveness is limited with severe traumatic injuries, such as gunshot wounds. The main challenge with gunshot wounds is massive blood loss, or hemorrhage.
When significant blood is lost, there is insufficient blood for the heart to pump, regardless of chest compressions. Continuing CPR without addressing the underlying hemorrhage is ineffective because the circulatory system lacks fluid. Studies indicate that survival rates for traumatic cardiac arrest from gunshot wounds are low, often around 2.1% to 2.7%. Despite these low survival rates, performing CPR can help preserve organs for donation.
Essential First Aid Beyond CPR
Given the limitations of CPR in many gunshot scenarios, controlling severe bleeding becomes the most impactful action. Uncontrolled hemorrhage is a leading preventable cause of death in trauma. Applying firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, gauze, or even a hand is an important first step. Press down hard enough to compress the skin and underlying tissues to slow blood flow.
For severe, life-threatening bleeding on an arm or leg that does not stop with direct pressure, a tourniquet should be applied. Place the tourniquet two to three inches above the wound, between the injury and the heart, and tighten it until the bleeding stops. It is important to note the time the tourniquet was applied.
For deep wounds in areas where a tourniquet cannot be used, such as the torso, neck, or groin, wound packing is recommended. This involves tightly filling the wound cavity with gauze or a clean cloth to apply internal pressure and absorb blood. Keeping the injured person warm is important, as blood loss can lead to hypothermia, which can worsen shock and impair the body’s clotting ability. Covering them with a blanket or jacket helps maintain body temperature until professional medical help arrives.
Legal Protections for Responders
Many individuals hesitate to provide aid in emergencies due to concerns about legal repercussions. Good Samaritan laws exist to offer legal protection to people who provide reasonable assistance to those who are injured or in peril. These laws generally shield rescuers from civil liability for unintentional harm.
Protection is granted when aid is rendered in good faith, without expectation of compensation, and without gross negligence. While the specifics of Good Samaritan laws can vary by jurisdiction, their overall intent is to encourage bystanders to intervene without fear of legal consequences. Understanding these protections can empower individuals to act in emergencies.