How to Survive Being Shot

Surviving a bullet wound has much to do with receiving medical attention as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the victim's mental state goes a long way to survival. If you or someone around you is shot, it's crucial to remain calm and act expediently. The following steps outline the most important points.

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.