Actually getting shot...
- Thread starter Bob Lee Swagger
- Start date
Rant Casey
New member
I've had the misfortune three times, and would like to not experience it again. Once as a young teenager, took some rock salt in my calf trespassing. Boys will be boys I suppose. Later in life a "friend" had an ND and put a FMJ 9mm through my forearm, that hurt quite a bit more than the rock salt but didn't actually hurt or bleed for about 10 seconds. Then the granddaddy of all my idiotic bullet wounds would have to be a a 7.62x39 that managed to go through a door deflect off my pelvis and find a cozy spot in my small intestine, take a nap and stay for a while. That one, didn't so much feel like getting shot but more like getting hit with an RPG that didn't want to go bang that day. Not a pleasent experience. The next day a buddy of mine took three shoots to the face and mangled him up something awful, coma for weeks and still has some facial deformity. All in all, bullets are nasty, avoid them 
.22
No, I haven't, but because it's instructive about stopping-power as well as a specific description I was given of being shot, I'll relate the experience of a friend, from years ago:
In his apt. alone, there was a knock at the door, mid-afternoon. Opening it he saw a man with a gun standing there who demanded his wallet. He complied. The man ran away and just as he turned to do so, my friend heard a couple of faint pops.
He said he closed the door, and just stood there, feeling disoriented, he assumed from the shock of the event. He felt nothing else for a bit, then became aware of a feeling of wetness on his shirt around his abdomen, and absent-mindedly put his hand there. It got wet and when he looked at it, it and his mid-section were covered in blood. He's been shot 2x with a .22 in the guts. He called 911, and then fell over and passed out.
Luckily, medics came in time to get him into a hospital, but they almost lost him. He had multiple major surgeries, removal of parts of his intestine - and was generally screwed up physically and psychologically for over a year.
He's OK now. The shooting is thankfully in the remote past.
(The part about "stopping power" is the length of time it took for him to realize even that he'd been shot.)
No, I haven't, but because it's instructive about stopping-power as well as a specific description I was given of being shot, I'll relate the experience of a friend, from years ago:
In his apt. alone, there was a knock at the door, mid-afternoon. Opening it he saw a man with a gun standing there who demanded his wallet. He complied. The man ran away and just as he turned to do so, my friend heard a couple of faint pops.
He said he closed the door, and just stood there, feeling disoriented, he assumed from the shock of the event. He felt nothing else for a bit, then became aware of a feeling of wetness on his shirt around his abdomen, and absent-mindedly put his hand there. It got wet and when he looked at it, it and his mid-section were covered in blood. He's been shot 2x with a .22 in the guts. He called 911, and then fell over and passed out.
Luckily, medics came in time to get him into a hospital, but they almost lost him. He had multiple major surgeries, removal of parts of his intestine - and was generally screwed up physically and psychologically for over a year.
He's OK now. The shooting is thankfully in the remote past.
(The part about "stopping power" is the length of time it took for him to realize even that he'd been shot.)
simonkenton
New member
"I could sense as clear as the sun in the sky who in the ER gave a damn and who didn't. Those that did got direct, calm answers. Those that didn't were barked at. No conscious thought of my own was involved in any of this. I could see, smell and hear everything. I kept looking at my vitals on the machine monitoring my blood pressure and heart rate. I was analyzing my condition: elevated heart rate and decreasing blood pressure.
How long before I would have been incapacitated? Maybe 25 minutes. Maybe more. Depending on whether how much blood loss could be diverted. MUCH more important was my psychological state. I was a judoka (one who competes in judo) and a student of jujitsu. I also dabbled in open track events [sports cars on race tracks], autocross, etc. Why is this important? Because I was in great shape and could INTENTLY FOCUS my Mind - while remaining relaxed - at will for 20 minutes or more (one track session) at a time. I also meditated on driving as well as the judo/jujitsu regularly. I was doing both very well. So performing under pressure wasn't new. I also competed in Track & Field at a high level since I was 11 years old. Applying this nurtured ability to anything is the true goal looking back. Athletes should be the best of the best at just about everything they put their minds to. But that's another story/theory/thread for another time.
Caliber: 9mm JHP
Location of Wound: Left Hand"
Chui: All this sturm and drang for a pistol wound to the hand?
I hope this was written as a joke.
If not, you take yourself way too seriously.
I feel sorry for the dedicated ER personnel who had to put up with a Mall Ninja with a pistol wound to the hand.
How long before I would have been incapacitated? Maybe 25 minutes. Maybe more. Depending on whether how much blood loss could be diverted. MUCH more important was my psychological state. I was a judoka (one who competes in judo) and a student of jujitsu. I also dabbled in open track events [sports cars on race tracks], autocross, etc. Why is this important? Because I was in great shape and could INTENTLY FOCUS my Mind - while remaining relaxed - at will for 20 minutes or more (one track session) at a time. I also meditated on driving as well as the judo/jujitsu regularly. I was doing both very well. So performing under pressure wasn't new. I also competed in Track & Field at a high level since I was 11 years old. Applying this nurtured ability to anything is the true goal looking back. Athletes should be the best of the best at just about everything they put their minds to. But that's another story/theory/thread for another time.
Caliber: 9mm JHP
Location of Wound: Left Hand"
Chui: All this sturm and drang for a pistol wound to the hand?
I hope this was written as a joke.
If not, you take yourself way too seriously.
I feel sorry for the dedicated ER personnel who had to put up with a Mall Ninja with a pistol wound to the hand.
I feel bad at laughing at someone's pain but this is a pretty funny comment.
Personally I was never shot but I had a .30" rod go through my right hand. It was about 8" long and it was a part from a table saw that rattled loose and launched at me. It hit me so hard it seemed to spin me around. When I looked at my hand about 4" of it was sticking out of my palm. I instantly pulled it out and ran about 50' just from the shock of it. My hand was completely numb for about 15 minutes. Then when my adrenaline settled down I felt like I was going to throw up and pass out.
After that experience, I really, really don't want to get shot.
Rant Casey
New member
When I first read it, I thought I was reading a story about a sucking chest wound, not a hand wound. May I ask how you got shot through the hand? Self inflicted?
Give him a break though, getting shot hurts, I don't know if I'd dramatize a hand wound that badly, but it's not a good feeling. When my buddy had an ND through my forearm I swore quite a bit, mainly at him. My martial arts training didn't change much though, still had a hole in my arm. When I caught the pelvic shot I was more focussed with returning fire to realize the severity of it and worry about controlled breathing, to be honest all i could think of was "if i get out of this, I'm going to get to sleep in a nice comfy bed". What would I do different? Stay away from bullets fired at me.
Give him a break though, getting shot hurts, I don't know if I'd dramatize a hand wound that badly, but it's not a good feeling. When my buddy had an ND through my forearm I swore quite a bit, mainly at him. My martial arts training didn't change much though, still had a hole in my arm. When I caught the pelvic shot I was more focussed with returning fire to realize the severity of it and worry about controlled breathing, to be honest all i could think of was "if i get out of this, I'm going to get to sleep in a nice comfy bed". What would I do different? Stay away from bullets fired at me.
Rangefinder
New member
Yup. Amazing what that little chemical in your bloodstream can do. I had a round skip through my leg when I was laying prone. I'm guessing the roung actually hit the dirt about 8-10 feet in front of me and separated. Chunks of jacked tore my shin up pretty good, but that was mainly just surface junk. The lead core smacked right into my shin bone, trailed under the skin and exited at the outside of my ankle. Part of the lead was still in my boot later. What it initially felt like was the guy behind me smacking me in the foot to tell me he was coming up on my six. But when I glanced over my shoulder the nearest guy on my right six was still dug in behind cover about 15 feet away. I didn't even realize I took a hit until I tried to scramble over to a better position and it felt like my foot was burning--kind of somewhere between that sharp needle throb when your foot falls asleep and when you have your feet kicked up by the campfire too long and then notice finally that it's getting really hot. Still never knew I actually took a pass-through until much later. Then it really started hurting---that would be the post combat high come-down...
It WAS kinda nifty having to do the whole saline flush through the hole afterward just because the nerves in my leg and foot were all screwed up. It didn't hurt, just felt really cooooold, like my foot was frozen from the inside out.
I took a graze in the left shoulder also, but that really isn't even worth talking about--I got worse than that in highschool welding shop. As for a full impact with a pass-through... Very interesting experience. Wouldn't recommend it.
Rant Casey
New member
chui, how'd you end up with a hole in your hand?
Been hit by a long spent jacketed .45 once. It was like getting hit by a stone. Scratched my hide near the knee, bounced down to my ankle and hit the ground. No big deal, but certainly not the same as having one penetrate your personal ecosystem.
Knew a guy who walked off the Dieppe beach(19 August 1942) with 8 bullet holes in him. One of which was a compound leg fracture. Johnny, all 5 foot nothing of him, didn't know it until the MO on the ship asked him how he got off the beach. The 'pucker factor' was very high that day.
Knew a guy who walked off the Dieppe beach(19 August 1942) with 8 bullet holes in him. One of which was a compound leg fracture. Johnny, all 5 foot nothing of him, didn't know it until the MO on the ship asked him how he got off the beach. The 'pucker factor' was very high that day.
ElectricHellfire
New member
Interesting thread. Ive never been shot but working in the ER and ICU Ive seen my share of all types of wounds. And yes the heme component in blood is strong enough to make you sick when you smell it all over the floor and you. Not as bad as a GI Bleed smell but pretty ghastly.
As a side note, my wife once shot herself through one of the lesser toes with a .22. She said it never really hurt until the dressing changes.
As a side note, my wife once shot herself through one of the lesser toes with a .22. She said it never really hurt until the dressing changes.
Chui, I don't think anyone meant any offense, but its just that the gist of your story sounded like you were describing a life threatening gunshot wound, and were seconds from death, with only your willpower keeping you alive....only to find out you were shot through the hand.....
dude.....seriously........the hand......dude.....seriously......
dude.....seriously........the hand......dude.....seriously......
Indeed it would be useful to know more about that injury, Chui.
What part was hit, which vessels had to be repaired, were there any fractures? Was it penetrating or perforating? Did the bullet enter the hand but do most of its damage in the wrist or distal forearm? There are many variables in gunshot wounds.
Also it makes a big difference if it is contact wound, because the muzzle gases go into the body and make the damage much worse.
What part was hit, which vessels had to be repaired, were there any fractures? Was it penetrating or perforating? Did the bullet enter the hand but do most of its damage in the wrist or distal forearm? There are many variables in gunshot wounds.
Also it makes a big difference if it is contact wound, because the muzzle gases go into the body and make the damage much worse.
Thankfully I never experienced getting shot, and probably never want to. At one point I was going to sign up for the armed service but my ankle stopped me from doing that. I can concur the powers of adrenaline. When I was back in high school I was a pretty serious soccer player, and ended up shattering my ankle the worst way imaginable, according to the doctors. I remember hearing a very sharp and loud popping sound as I face planted onto the ground, and thought to myself that I had just snapped my shin in half. I rolled over to look down, that's when I noticed my left foot actually pointing left, and the bone from my ankle, coming out of the skin pointing RIGHT, I though to myself, well something doesn't seem right here...
It never actually hurt, and they said I was never in shock. My friend called 911 and I laid there laughing and cursing about it. The paramedics asked me if i consumed any alcohol or illegal substances, I said no, because I didn't. He then turned to me, and said "how the f**k are you laughing then?" I said it doesn't hurt I don't know.
Long story short I ended up shattering my Fibula (smaller leg bone) and breaking the end of it off that holds your ankle together, that was the bone I saw coming out of the skin. I cracked the Tiba (bigger leg bone), dislocated the ankle since I broke the end of the Fibula, and managed to tear all the ligaments and tenants. Now I have a metal plate and 8 screws residing in my ankle permanently.
This doesn't really compare to getting shot, but can go to show that adrenaline is very powerful stuff, and until that day, probably never understood just how amazing and probably life saving in a different situation than a broken ankle it can really be.
It never actually hurt, and they said I was never in shock. My friend called 911 and I laid there laughing and cursing about it. The paramedics asked me if i consumed any alcohol or illegal substances, I said no, because I didn't. He then turned to me, and said "how the f**k are you laughing then?" I said it doesn't hurt I don't know. Long story short I ended up shattering my Fibula (smaller leg bone) and breaking the end of it off that holds your ankle together, that was the bone I saw coming out of the skin. I cracked the Tiba (bigger leg bone), dislocated the ankle since I broke the end of the Fibula, and managed to tear all the ligaments and tenants. Now I have a metal plate and 8 screws residing in my ankle permanently.
This doesn't really compare to getting shot, but can go to show that adrenaline is very powerful stuff, and until that day, probably never understood just how amazing and probably life saving in a different situation than a broken ankle it can really be.
azsixshooter
New member
I shot the bottom of a large gas cylinder with my .357 and something came back and hit me in the outside of my left (support hand) forearm. It was a little tiny cut about 1/4" but was bleeding profusely. More than what I would think such a small cut should bleed and I have experienced a lot of cuts over the years. At first I thought I just got nicked, but something is embedded in there. I can feel the lump and it's like it's stuck in the bone. I can even see the lump when I hold up both forearms in a mirror.
Here's a pic of the cylinder I shot. It tipped over and I shot the bottom. The bullet hit the edge of the main tube on the bottom (rather than the concave bottom plate) and that's why it ricocheted so severely.
When I flew back home to Michigan (go Wings!) for Xmas I was bs'ing with the TSA guy because there was no line or anything and I told him about it. He set his scanner on high-sensitivity and checked my arm, but it didn't beep or anything. He said if there was any lead or copper in there it would probably set off the wand. So maybe it's just a tiny rock or something in there. If I ever get insurance I'll get it checked out/removed. Until then, it gets sore when the temperature drops.
I wouldn't want to find out what it feels like to get hit with a .357 Mag slug, that's for sure!
Here's a pic of the cylinder I shot. It tipped over and I shot the bottom. The bullet hit the edge of the main tube on the bottom (rather than the concave bottom plate) and that's why it ricocheted so severely.
When I flew back home to Michigan (go Wings!) for Xmas I was bs'ing with the TSA guy because there was no line or anything and I told him about it. He set his scanner on high-sensitivity and checked my arm, but it didn't beep or anything. He said if there was any lead or copper in there it would probably set off the wand. So maybe it's just a tiny rock or something in there. If I ever get insurance I'll get it checked out/removed. Until then, it gets sore when the temperature drops.
I wouldn't want to find out what it feels like to get hit with a .357 Mag slug, that's for sure!
My roommate mishandled the pistol which was stoked with Corbon 115 grain 9 mm JHP +P ammo. I was standing next to him and BAM!
It went through between the thumb and forefinger portion of the palm at and blasted out ring finger metacarpal while breaking all but the index finger metacarpal. There was obvious nerve damage and it blasted away the lumbricals, obviously
Had three surgeries: debriding, bone graft, K-wire removal. With lots of occupational therapy in between.
Now for the ignorant in the audience:
So, any of you "internet toughies" wish to "give me hand" to prove/disprove what I say? I really don't think so - not that I blame you.
The point of sharing what I did is that all here profess to own for "self-defense." By stating that you "prepare" for the "unthinkable" which is what? Facing another individual with intent to kill you. It may be a knife (can't help you here); it may be with his bare hands (I could offer pointers) or it may be with a firearm. Everyone thinks they'll not get hit, punched, kicked or shot in the process. Well, when you DO get contacted you have some idea from an individual who shared his experiences.
At or around the time I was injured I was told (never verified but not hard to belive depending on circumstances) that a Los Angeles County offier was also hit in the hand. He died. I didn't. I got medical attention much quicker than he did apparently: you must stop the bleeding. If you don't you go into hypovolemic shock and ultimately death. But along the way you'll experience some interesting things which I've chosen to share with you.
Oh, hypovolemic shock is very interesting,too. You're cold an you begin to shake uncontrollably. Then the lights go out and there is peace. "Coming back" is as described in some movies: it hurts worse than the original accident.
Stay safe!
It went through between the thumb and forefinger portion of the palm at and blasted out ring finger metacarpal while breaking all but the index finger metacarpal. There was obvious nerve damage and it blasted away the lumbricals, obviously
Had three surgeries: debriding, bone graft, K-wire removal. With lots of occupational therapy in between.
Now for the ignorant in the audience:
So, any of you "internet toughies" wish to "give me hand" to prove/disprove what I say? I really don't think so - not that I blame you.
The point of sharing what I did is that all here profess to own for "self-defense." By stating that you "prepare" for the "unthinkable" which is what? Facing another individual with intent to kill you. It may be a knife (can't help you here); it may be with his bare hands (I could offer pointers) or it may be with a firearm. Everyone thinks they'll not get hit, punched, kicked or shot in the process. Well, when you DO get contacted you have some idea from an individual who shared his experiences.
At or around the time I was injured I was told (never verified but not hard to belive depending on circumstances) that a Los Angeles County offier was also hit in the hand. He died. I didn't. I got medical attention much quicker than he did apparently: you must stop the bleeding. If you don't you go into hypovolemic shock and ultimately death. But along the way you'll experience some interesting things which I've chosen to share with you.
Oh, hypovolemic shock is very interesting,too. You're cold an you begin to shake uncontrollably. Then the lights go out and there is peace. "Coming back" is as described in some movies: it hurts worse than the original accident.
Stay safe!
Bob Lee Swagger
New member
I appreciate Chui's in-depth posts, and if he was able to recall more of the incident...power to him!
--
by TexasSeaRay
Perhaps you can contribute to the topic next time?
--
by TexasSeaRay
Perhaps you can contribute to the topic next time?
Superhouse 15
New member
Buckshot
I got hit with #4 buckshot, 9 pellets to the arms, groin, leg, and part of my back. All I felt at first was a rush of air, the closest thing I can describe is like being next to a fire lit with gas. Just a hot rush of air. I lost the strength in my left arm temporarily, but was able to walk and function and could have fired back if I had to if I had used my right hand. Never hurt till hours later.
Still have a souviner in my left leg, too. Docs say it would cause more damage taking it out. It has moved a lot over the years.
I got hit with #4 buckshot, 9 pellets to the arms, groin, leg, and part of my back. All I felt at first was a rush of air, the closest thing I can describe is like being next to a fire lit with gas. Just a hot rush of air. I lost the strength in my left arm temporarily, but was able to walk and function and could have fired back if I had to if I had used my right hand. Never hurt till hours later.
Still have a souviner in my left leg, too. Docs say it would cause more damage taking it out. It has moved a lot over the years.
TexasSeaRay
New member
7.62x39 -- Libya, 1981 (military)
7.62x39 -- Nicaraugua, 1984 (military)
9mm -- Miami, 1990 (law enforcement)
Why not go sign up to stand in harm's way and see for yourself?
You'll find out its not a video game or TV show.
Jeff