Entrance and Exit Wounds

Before applying the dressing, carefully examine the casualty to determine if there is more than one wound. A missile may have entered at one point and exited at another point. The EXIT wound is usually LARGER than the entrance wound.

Casualty should be continually monitored for development of conditions which may
require the performance of necessary basic lifesaving measures, such as clearing the
airway and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. All open (or penetrating) wounds should be
checked for a point of entry and exit and treated accordingly.

If the missile lodges in the body (fails to exit), DO NOT attempt to remove it or probe
the wound. Apply a dressing. If there is an object extending from (impaled in) the
wound, DO NOT remove the object. Apply a dressing around the object and use
additional improvised bulky materials/dressings (use the cleanest material available) to
build up the area around the object. Apply a supporting bandage over the bulky
materials to hold them in place.