First Aid for GSW and time on the range

[JohnUSCG]

I thought this was some very relevant and interesting info from Pistol-training.com. How many of us carry first aid stuff to the range with our everyday range gear? Definitly made me think.


http://pistol-training.com/

[RoyJackson]

I thought this was some very relevant and interesting info from Pistol-training.com. How many of us carry first aid stuff to the range with our everyday range gear? Definitly made me think.


http://pistol-training.com/

Good post!!!!
Reholstering is one reason I never cared for IWB carry (although I have no idea if that was the type of holster in this incident). I always take my time reholstering...since I frequently carry a Glock 19 with one in the chamber (and no external safety), a methodical careful reholstering has become my habit.

[Rosco the Iroc]

I have a good size med kit in the truck. All the military ranges have kits.
The civ range (C2) I go to has a med kit on site also.

[JayBell]

I keep a blowout kit in the range bag.

its basically Kwik Clot and a field dressing.

anything more serious than that can be used for, you're probably a goner, as most ranges i got to are well in the sticks.

[LittleRedToyota]

Good post!!!!
Reholstering is one reason I never cared for IWB carry (although I have no idea if that was the type of holster in this incident). I always take my time reholstering...since I frequently carry a Glock 19 with one in the chamber (and no external safety), a methodical careful reholstering has become my habit.

i'm curious to hear a little more about your objection to IWB based on any of this. certainly, a methodical careful reholstering is just as possible with IWB as with OWB. i don't see how it makes any difference at all.

oh...and i carry a first-aid kit that includes enough to provide first-aid for a GSW in my pocket all the time. and i have a bigger kit in the backpack i carry around with me all the time. so, i do have these things on the range...just because i always have them.

[27hand]

Similar training can be had in the Pittsburgh area as well at Forest Grove Sportsman's club.

DTI (John Farnam) hosts a "Tactical Treatment of Gunshot Wounds" class instructed by an ER Trauma surgeon.
I think a few on this board have taken this class which incorporates shooting scenarios with wound care.

I keep meaning to take this but just never get around to it.

[rwilson452]

I would be interested in putting together a GSW addition to my first aid kit. The sad thing is I don't know what a layman can buy. Yes well it has been a long time sine I took any traning. the trouble in my area is if you need an ambulance it going to be 20 min. minimum and a 20 min ride to the ER once they get the poor sod loaded.

[RoyJackson]

I would be interested in putting together a GSW addition to my first aid kit. The sad thing is I don't know what a layman can buy. Yes well it has been a long time sine I took any training. the trouble in my area is if you need an ambulance it going to be 20 min. minimum and a 20 min ride to the ER once they get the poor sod loaded.

The main thing is to get the bleeding stopped, so you'd want pressure bandages. If the round nicks the femoral artery (in the leg), you may need a tourniquet. If you put a tourniquet on, it stays on. Don't give a GSW victim an aspirin or alcohol...that thins the blood.
So, bandages, a tourniquet (use a belt, if necessary) and surgical gloves would be a good start. Keep an old blanket in your car too...keep the victim warm.
There's only so much you can do in the field...but stopping the bleeding is the most important. And keeping both the victim and yourself as calm as possible.
(ADDED): If the wound is in an extremity (arm or leg), have the vicim lie down and use something to elevate the extremity. You'll still need the bandages and possibly the tourniquet but elevating the extremity reduces blood flow to it and keeps the blood in the trunk of the body.
I had to do this one time, years ago. A drunken idiot punched through a window in an apartment house door. Punching through wasn't bad, but when he withdrew his arm, he tore the inside of the upper arm pretty badly. No bandages handy, but a towel and lieing down (arm elevated) did help quite a bit. The ambulance arrived about 10-15 minutes later. The way the blood spurted, I'm pretty sure he got an artery, but he had a lot of alcohol in him so his blood was thinned.

BTW, although giving a bleeding victim an aspirin is not a good idea, it is a good idea to keep aspirin in your kit. Persons experiencing a heart attack may be helped by an aspirin thinning the blood (reduces the chances of a clot blocking an artery). Had a heart attack..they're no fun. And don't expect the classic pain in the left side and arm (although that may happen). When I had my attack, I thought it was anxiety...just hard to breath (to the point I knew I was in big trouble). Unlike anxiety, the breathing doesn't get any better if you lie down and relax.

And I empathize: STAY CALM

LittleRedToyota:
i'm curious to hear a little more about your objection to IWB based on any of this. certainly, a methodical careful reholstering is just as possible with IWB as with OWB.

This is just personal experience and YMMV. The IWB holster opening, being held within the confines of the pants (and belt), tends to collapse a bit when the gun is drawn. Also, when I carried IWB, the holster was behind my hip for comfort. As you know, Glocks have no external safety (as you know) and can fire if that trigger catches on clothing as it's reholstered...especially if reholstered rapidly. When I carry OWB, the holster is right at 9 O'Clock, so it's easier to see if there's anything catching the trigger. Also, an OWB holster is further rom the body (hence, further from the clothing).
As I said, this is my experience and IWB may well work for you.

[paemt]

If the round nicks the femoral artery (in the leg), you may need a tourniquet. If you put a tourniquet on, it stays on.

Great comment about it staying on!

Also, regarding using a belt as a tourniquet, You need to get it TIGHT! The point it to cut off the blood to the area. It is VERY difficult to get a belt tight enough to be effective using the closure on the belt. Nylon belts are much more effective though. You can put them on loosely, place a stick, pipe, ect under it and twist/spin it tight.

Also remember, tourniquet is for LIFE THREATENING injuries only, it is very possible that a properly applied tourniquet will result in the loss of the limb.

Also, someone mentioned surgical gloves. That it great, not just for your protection. One of the most serious types of GSW that is treatable is a chest wound! sucking chest wound. In that link the 2 important things are the "signs and symptoms" and "First Aid" sections. Just keep in mind with the First Aid, put an hand on it!! A gloved(latex or vinyl) hand is the easiest way to immediately treat a Sucking chest wound. Worry about the other "fixes" later..

MOST IMPORTANT!: CALL 911, then:

The ABC's of TRAUMA(in this order):

-Airway - make sure they CAN breath(no obstructions in their airway)
-Breathing - make sure they ARE breathing
-Circulation - Control Bleeding

[son of the revolution]

Some white medical/athletic tape and a square of Saran Wrap will also work to seal a sucking chest wound, other field expedient material would be a plastic shopping bag , a ziploc baggie , etc.

Also carry a few tampons ! They swell to huge size and can very convieniently be inserted into a wound and will almost certainly stop the blood flow, and possibly even put internal pressure on the wound as it swells up. Must be coincedence that tampons are round and cylindrical in shape and GSW are generally the same, at least the entrance wound.