What to do when someone gets shot - Part IV: Physics of a Gunshot Wound

The most important part of surviving a gunshot wound is getting the victim to proper medical attention as soon as possible. Chances of survival improve the faster you get the victim in front of a doctor. Only in a worst case scenario where medical help is not available should you attempt to treat a firearm victim.

[Secure | Immobolize | Breathing | Bleeding | Stabilize]

THE PHYSICS OF A FIREARM WOUND

The impact of a bullet/fragment depends on several factors include the velocity, emergy transfer, and type of bullet. When a bullet impacts it instantly decelerates and deforms (a flattening effect known as "mushrooming". As the bullet decelerates on impact, the energy carried by the bullet is transferred to the target -- the higher the energy transfer of the bullet, the greater the damage. TheMarksman.com explains that

Hydrostatic shock radiates out from the bullet's path, causing a much larger "temporary wound cavity" that accounts for a significant amount of the soft tissue damage, while the bullet itself plows inward, potentially breaking apart if it strikes bone. The temporary cavity closes back after the bullet's passage, but significant damage, notably to major blood vessels, may have been inflicted by the sudden stretching and tearing involved in the hydrostatic displacement. Bullets rotate, become defored, fragment, or deflect off bones. Some bullets are designed to shatter or distintegrate on impact leaving shrapnel in the body. More on bullet types

Wound from	velocity	energy transfer	injury characteristics
Hang guns	low	low	Injury results from direct effects along bullet track.
Rifle Shot	High	High	Wounds are messy -- bullets tumble [yaw] within the wound casuing greater damage -- see below.
Munition fragment	Low	Low	Small and numerous wounds, but poor penetration means injuries are limited to fragment track.

With high energy transfer wounds like those caused by shotguns, indirect effects are more important than direct effects. High energy transfer wounds generate injuries including:
+ cavitation
+ fractures, contusions, and lacerations away from the direct fragment tract
+ can result in small entry and exite wounds but large wound cavity
+ fragmentation of bullet and bones can cause secondary wound paths and further injury
+ negative pressure within cavity can suck in external environmental contaminents.

Next: Stabilization of Victim
[Secure | Immobolize | Breathing | Bleeding | Stabilize]

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