How to Build a Gunshot Trauma Kit

As a firefighter in a rural area, there are numerous times that I am the first one on the scene for a medical call.

Recently I had a homeowner who accidentally shot herself because of the irresponsible handling of their firearm (Never store a loaded gun in a cereal box on the top shelf).

The first thing I reached for when I arrived was my trauma kit. In addition to my regular store-bought first aid kit and get-home bags, I also carry a gunshot kit in the back of my truck.

As a hunter also, there are times when my friends and I will be miles from any help. That’s why I strongly suggest adding a gunshot kit to your medical prep.

One of my favorite YouTube Channels is Dr. Bones & Nurse Amy. They recently made a video on a simple kit they offer on their website.

I took the liberty of reposting their video with a list of items you should have in your pack.

*Please note that some items are meant to be used by professionally trained medical personnel. If you do not know what you are doing, leave it to someone who does. I suggest that everyone take basic first aid and CPR classes at their local community college.

Gunshot Trauma Kit contents

• Bandage Scissors
• Curved Hemostat
• Venom Nitrile Gloves – No Latex
• Face Masks
• Alcohol Wipes
• Betadine Iodine
• Mylar Blanket – avoid shock
• Ammonia inhaler
• CPR Mask
• Red Marker
• Incident Report
• CAT Tourniquet
• H & H Dressing
• Adhesive Tape – Latex Free
• Israeli Bandage / Emergency Pressure Bandage
• #10 Scalpel
• Decompression Needle
• Roll Gauze
• Celox-A Sterile ABD Pads
• Double Chest Seal

Other Components

Another component to include in your gunshot trauma kit would be Trauma shears. Sometimes, we don’t see the wound as It may be covered by the shirt or jeans.

In this case, you can’t just take off the shirt or the jeans because it’d be painful for those with broken bones or soft tissue injuries.

You can use Leatherman Raptor shears that could be used in trauma bay and ER conditions. Also, don’t forget to wear safety gloves to avoid any blood stains.

Other components include a chest decompression needle and nasopharyngeal airway.

However, I’d like to inform you that these tools should be used by an experienced person. During a facial trauma, avoid using the nasal airway as it can push down the broken bone fragments into the brain.

Also, carefully use a chest decompression needle as it may penetrate blood vessels or other vital organs if not placed correctly.

These two tools are often mistaken by the experts, that’s why it has a greater chance of being misplaced by an untrained person. Do not use them without proper training.

Dr. Bones & Nurse Amy have a very knowledgeable video series on survival medicine. Add them to your favorites!

Gunshot Treatment Kit – YouTube.