Quote Originally Posted by Phila PD View Post
Is using multiple 4x4's good enough with direct pressure for most G/S wounds? Talking to one of are long time Fire Medic Units thats all they say they use but then again thats all they are supplied with. One of my OIS had a responding officer shot in the left lower cheek, jaw, neck area with #4 shotgun pellets and from what I had seen 4x4's would not cover the area. One officer KILOD last year was shot with a 7.62x39mm and the bleeding was massive from reports given. What kind of dressing can handle these types of wounds? Most times its multiple hits with exits so how do you plug the holes just to get them to the E/R alive.
Unfortunatly the reality is that if you are hit COM with a high power projectile like the 7.62x39 you will have a very high mortality rate. Best dressing? Your hand and some gauze. Are there better solutions out there? Yes, however if you are struck with a rifle round you will typically need a tourniquet if its an extremity wound or a gloved hand if its a torso wound (likely followed by a body bag realistically.