If a person is shot, they need prompt emergency medical attention. After getting to safety and contacting emergency services, you can slow the bleeding by applying pressure until help arrives.
Gunshot wounds are always a medical emergency. The extent of injuries depends on many factors, such as where somebody is shot, the size of the bullets, and the type of gun.
Unfortunately, gun-related injuries aren’t rare in the United States. In 2020, 45,222 firearm-related deaths were reported in the United States, per the
If someone’s been shot, it’s critical to call 911 or your local emergency services as soon as it’s safe to do so. Administering first aid can save a person’s life while you wait for an ambulance to arrive. Acting quickly can help slow bleeding and prevent life threatening complications.
Keep reading to learn essential information about first aid, medical treatment, and recovery from gunshot wounds.
Gun violence in the United States
Americans are 25 times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than people in other high income countries, according to statistics from Giffords, an organization working to end gun violence.
More than 1 million Americans have been shot in the past 10 years, and in 2020, gun-related deaths reached their highest in at least 40 years.
More people experience nonfatal gunshot wounds than fatal ones, according to the
The first 10 minutes after the injury are often referred to as the
- airway obstruction
- tension pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- bleeding
The leading cause of death in gunshot wounds is bleeding, per
Here’s what you can do if you’re with somebody who is shot.
Get to safety and call 911
If you’re with somebody who has been shot, it’s crucial that you and the person get to a safe place away from the threat.
In the case of an accidental shooting, this might mean making sure the gun’s safety is on and that the gun is secured. In the case of an intentional shooting, this might mean evacuating the scene.
If you are with an injured person during an active shooter situation, evacuation may not be an option. In this case, the Department of Homeland Security recommends that you attempt to:
- hide in a place that’s out of the shooter’s view
- silence your phone to avoid detection and remain as quiet as possible
- seek an area with a barrier for protection (such as behind a locked office door or a large object)
- block a shooter’s potential entry with a barricade, such as stacking furniture
- avoid restricting your ability to move in case you need to run or confront
Gunshot wounds always need medical attention to assess their severity and begin treatment. It’s critical that you call 911 or local emergency services as soon as is safe and possible.
While you’re waiting for an ambulance
The quicker a person who has been shot gets to the hospital, the better their chances of surviving. Ideally, they should receive medical attention within the platinum 10 minutes.
Check if the person you’re with is awake and responsive. This involves the tap-shout-tap method. Verbally address the person (“Are you okay?” or “Can you hear me?”), followed by a firm tap to their body, and another verbal cue.
The Red Cross recommends trying this approach for 10 seconds or fewer.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, the Red Cross also recommends performing CPR and using an
Managing bleeding
Bleeding is the leading cause of death in people with gunshot wounds. It’s important to apply firm pressure to the wound if the person is bleeding profusely.
If they have a large wound, cover the area with any clean cloth available, such as a piece of clothing. Press down as hard as you can until EMTs arrive to relieve you. It may also be necessary to use a tourniquet to limit blood loss while waiting to get someone to a hospital.
While research is still preliminary, a
These types of tourniquets are pre-made, widely available to order (especially online), and can be added to emergency preparedness kits.
If you are with someone who has been shot and do not have access to a ready-made tourniquet, you can still improvise one. Tourniquets should be used as a first resort when an arm or leg wound is bleeding so much that direct pressure does not stop blood flow.
Wrap and tie a long piece of fabric (such as a shirt or necktie) several inches above the wound as tightly as possible. This is intended to limit arterial blood flow and reduce blood loss.
A homemade tourniquet will never be as effective as a commercially made one, but it can still be a significant first aid tool.
If they’re responsive
If a person who has been shot is responsive and fully awake and doesn’t seem to have life threatening injuries, try to collect as much information from them as you can while waiting for an ambulance. This applies to situations in which you are able to safely make noise, not around an active shooter.
Ask the person who has been shot about any symptoms they are feeling and what allergies, medications, and preexisting medical conditions they may have. Ask about or identify any medical tags they may be wearing. Some people have their medical ID on their phone.
Just because someone is alert and awake after being shot isn’t a guarantee they will remain this way. It’s important you collect identifying information promptly, including contact information for their family or loved ones.
Once you or the injured person you’re with reaches the hospital, nurses and doctors will evaluate the injuries and determine what type of medical care is necessary. Treatment depends on the severity and location of the wound and other individual health factors.
Treatment for a gunshot wound might include:
- surgery to remove the bullet and fix damaged internal structures
- an IV to administer antibiotics, fluids, and other medications
- blood transfusion to replace lost blood
- sedation or painkillers
Most injured areas
People arriving at emergency rooms with gunshot wounds in the United States most often have injuries to their foot or leg, according to
Here’s a breakdown of types and location of firearm injuries in the United States from 2010 to 2012:
| Body part | Unintentional injury | Assault injury |
|---|---|---|
| legs and feet | 43% | 35% |
| hands or arms | 34% | 15% |
| upper trunk | 6% | 20% |
| lower trunk | 7% | 19% |
| head or neck | 10% | 11% |
Per
- small intestines (50%)
- large intestines (40%)
- liver (40%)
- intrabdominal blood vessels (30%)
Specific treatments
Many different types of surgical interventions are used to treat specific injuries caused by gunshots or explosive blasts.
Here’s an overview of which procedures are used in response to certain injuries, per a
| Type of injury | Treatment |
|---|---|
| bleeding | aortic clamping |
| bleeding from large blood vessels | ligature or bypass |
| injury to liver | packing or compression |
| bowel damage | staple closure, stoma |
| artery injury | shunt |
| vein injury | ligature |
| pancreas injury | drainage |
| swelling | laparostomy |
| broken bones | casting |
| lung injury | en masse lobectomy |
| brain swelling | craniectomy |
For each firearm death, there are three disabling injuries in North America.
Survivors of firearm-related injury can experience long-term physical and mental complications such as:
- physical disability
- memory trouble
- emotional disturbances
- post-traumatic stress disorder
Specific complications depend on where the wound is and how extensive the injury is. For example, a head wound could cause cognitive and physical symptoms such as:
- headaches
- sensitivity to light and noise
- confusion
- memory trouble
- balance and motor coordination issues
Infection is a potentially serious complication that can result from the gunshot wound itself or from surgery. It’s important you always take medications as directed by your doctor and follow aftercare instructions precisely to reduce risk of infection.
In rare cases, amputation may be required if a limb is badly damaged. If a bullet has hit your spinal cord, it can result in partial or full paralysis. Organ damage caused by gunshot wounds can also create serious long-term health complications, even if the organ is saved.
Recovery from a gunshot wound looks different for every individual case. Some people may have minor wounds that heal in weeks, while others may experience permanent disabilities.
Physical recovery following acute treatment might include:
- physical therapy
- pain medications
- medication to treat other complications resulting from the injury
- taking time off work or school
Surviving or witnessing a shooting is traumatizing for most people. Healing requires a mental and emotional component in addition to medical care for the injury itself. People who survive shootings may experience anxiety, panic attacks, and depression among other symptoms.
Talk therapy can help survivors process their thoughts and emotions and develop coping skills. Support groups can provide a safe space to connect with others who have also survived gun violence and work toward personal and collective healing.
Learn more about processing grief after a mass shooting.
If gunshot wounds are extensive or severe, a survivor will likely have to work with a team of healthcare professionals. This may include nurses, doctors, surgeons, and physical therapists, among others.
More people survive being shot than die from it. The survival rate for a gunshot wound depends on factors such as:
- how many times a person is shot
- whether they are shot at close-range
- how quickly they receive treatment
- what type of bullets and gun are involved
- the location of the injury or injuries
A
In a 2016 study, researchers examined the survival rate of 413 people with penetrating traumatic brain injury at 2 U.S. trauma centers. The researchers found that the survival rates at hospital discharge and at 6 months were 42.4%.
However, the fatality rate increases when two or more wounds occur or when there are multiple organ injuries.
For this reason, assault rifles like the semiautomatic AR-15 and it’s automatic military counterpart the M16 usually have higher fatality rates than handguns or other firearms. They can hold up to 30 rounds and inflict multiple wounds in rapid succession.
The caliber of a gun (how large a bullet is in diameter) also has a major impact on survivability.
A
While survival rates have remained somewhat stable, deaths due to gun violence have risen in recent years. The number of gun-related deaths increased by 13.9% from 2020 to 2019. Gunshot wounds were among the
Gunshot wounds always require immediate medical attention. First aid for gunshot wounds starts with getting the injured person and yourself to safety and calling 911 or local emergency services.
Check to see if the person is awake and responsive, and collect identifying information from them. Use a clean cloth and apply as much pressure as possible to stop bleeding until relieved by emergency personnel.
If the person is bleeding a lot from an arm or leg, try to apply a commercial or homemade tourniquet. CPR or the use of an automated external defibrillator may also be necessary.
Many types of surgeries and other medical treatments are used to treat gunshot wounds. Recovering from being shot may require a hospital stay of days, weeks, or longer. After discharge, a person who is healing a gunshot wound may need medication, physical therapy, and in some cases, further surgery.
Emotional and psychological trauma is common in both shooting witnesses and survivors. It’s important both physical and mental needs are addressed during recovery.
Overall, recovery from a gunshot wound varies substantially depending on the extent and location of injuries. A doctor or care team will work to create a fuller picture of a recovery plan and what to expect at each stage.