How to Care for Superficial Gunshot Wounds

Superficial gunshot wounds can be painful, but are generally not life-threatening if treated quickly and properly. Treating gunshot wounds on your own can be done as long as you follow the steps below. As always, the wounds should be treated as soon as possible at a hospital or clinic.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean towel
• Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
• Bandages and gauze

1. Unless the person’s safety is in danger, do not try to move them. Call 911 immediately.

2. Clear the area of the skin where the bullets grazed it of any debris, such as dirt, with a clean towel or other item of clothing (if you do not have a towel handy).

3. Wearing gloves, clean the area of the gunshot wounds with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or soap and water. Although these treatments may burn, they are crucial to killing off any bacteria that will start harboring around the wound.

4. Stop the flow of blood by pressing the wound tightly with any available article of clothing, preferably clean, or a towel. If the wound can be elevated above the head, do so, as this causes the blood flow to lessen. The length of time to stop the flow of blood will vary, but 15 minutes should do it for superficial gunshot wounds.

5. After the flow of blood has stopped, bandage the wounds tightly, using clean bandages and gauze.

6. Don’t permit the victim to eat or drink anything until they are treated by a doctor.

7. Understand that superficial gunshot wounds will be generally given a topical ointment to be applied every day until the wound heals. Keep the wounds covered and change the bandages frequently.

Tips & Warnings

• Always seek the help of a professional doctor or nurse for any gunshot wounds.

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