gunshot wound is a traumatic medical emergency caused by a projectile from a firearm that penetrates the body, potentially causing serious blood loss and structural damage. The severity of the injury depends on the bullet’s velocity, size, trajectory, and the affected tissue. 

Immediate First Aid (Emergency Care)

If you or someone else has a gunshot wound, call emergency services or get emergency care immediately. 

• Safety First: Ensure the scene is safe. Do not move the victim if they have been shot in the neck or back, as this can cause spinal cord damage.
• Stop the Bleeding: Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, gauze, or clothing. For heavy bleeding, use significant pressure with your hands, an elbow, or a knee.
• Pack the Wound: If a first aid kit is available, pack the wound with bleeding control gauze or clean cloth before applying pressure.
• Tourniquets: A tourniquet may be used on a limb if direct pressure does not stop life-threatening bleeding. Apply it between the wound and the heart, about 2-3 inches above the injury, and note the time it was applied.
• Do Not:
  • Do not attempt to clean the wound yourself.
  • Do not try to remove the bullet or bullet fragments.
  • Do not elevate the legs, as this can worsen bleeding in chest or abdominal wounds.
  • Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to clean the wound, as this can slow healing.
• Reassure the Victim: Keep talking to the person and cover them with a blanket or jacket to prevent shock and keep them warm. 

Medical Evaluation and Treatment

In the hospital, healthcare providers will focus on stabilizing the patient and assessing internal damage. Treatment may involve: 

• Stopping internal bleeding.
• Cleaning the wound to prevent infection.
• Surgery to repair organ damage, remove bullet fragments or shattered bone pieces, or place drains. 

Wound Characteristics

Forensic pathologists examine gunshot wounds to determine the range of fire and the type of weapon. 

• Entrance Wounds: Typically have an abrasion rim and may show signs of soot or tattooing (embedding of unburnt powder) if the shot was fired at close range. Edges are often inverted.
• Exit Wounds: Generally have everted (outward-turned), irregular edges and usually lack soot or tattooing. They are often larger than entrance wounds due to the bullet’s trajectory and potential fragmentation or “yaw” (tumbling) as it exits the body. 

Aftercare

After the initial emergency treatment, proper wound care is vital for recovery. 

• Keep it Clean and Dry: Follow your doctor’s instructions for changing dressings.
• Medication: Take all prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection and pain relievers as directed.
• Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the heart to reduce swelling, if possible.
• Showering/Bathing: Showers are better than baths; avoid soaking the wound in water until it has healed enough, as directed by a healthcare provider. 

Seek immediate medical care if you notice increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, pus draining from the area, or a fever, as these are signs of infection.