Instructions
1. Stay determined to survive the wound. Consider immediately that the damage inflicted is survivable, and make a mental list of all the reasons to survive. Commit silently to family and self to survive.
2. Call 911 and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
3. Remain calm to decrease the chances of elevated blood pressure and/or shock. Concentrate on breathing normally. Elevate the head to ease breathing.
4. Try to summon mental images that induce calm and lower the heart rate. Think of a loved one, family, a good friend or a pet. Imagine the loved one or pet safely nearby.
5. Resist the temptation to examine the wound or try to treat it. Apply pressure to the site to stop the bleeding. Use a credit card to cover a "sucking" chest wound.
6. Ask those nearby for help. Have someone assist in applying pressure to the wound or to apply a tourniquet above a wound to a limb. Ask for a blanket or cover of some kind to preserve body heat.
7. Have someone secure the area by keeping people several feet back. Ask someone to stand guard over spent shell casings or the weapon in the event it is left behind.
Tags: Have someone, medical attention