Criminal Mischief Episode 18: Gunshot to the chest

Suspense Radio

SHOW NOTES:

Gunshot wounds (GSWs) come in many flavors and those to the chest can be particularly dicey. Yet, a chest GSW can be a minor flesh wound, a major traumatic event with significant damage, or deadly. If you have a character who suffers such an injury, this podcast is for you.

Here are few interesting questions about chest GSWs:

Could a Person Survive a Gunshot to the Chest in the 1880s?

Q: My scenario is set in 1880. A man in his early 20s is shot in the back by a rifle. He loses a lot of blood and is found a couple of hours later unconscious. Could he survive and if
so how long would it take him it recuperate? Also, would it be possible to
bring him to consciousness long enough for another man to get him into a buggy.
Is any part of this scenario possible?

A: Everything about your scenario works. A gun shot wound (GSW) to the chest can kill in minutes, hours, days, or not at all. The victim would be in pain and may cough and sputter and may even cough up some blood. He could probably walk or crawl and maybe even fight and run if necessary. Painful, but possible. He would likely be
consciousness so could even help get himself into the wagon.

If all goes well, he should be better and gingerly up and around in a week or two. He would be fully recovered in 6 to 8 weeks.

After surviving the initial GSW, the greatest risk to his life would a secondary wound infection. Since no antibiotics were available at that time, the death rate was very high---40 to 80 percent---for wound infections. But, if he did not develop an infection, he would heal up completely.

How Is A Gunshot To The Chest Treated?

Q: I have a few questions regarding a gunshot wound that my poor character
will be sustaining later on in my story. Supposing it's a fairly small caliber
bullet (typical handgun fare, not buckshot or anything) and it hits near the
heart without puncturing anything important, how long might his recovery time
be? He's a strong, kinda-healthy guy in his thirties, although he drinks a fair
amount and used to smoke. He'll be rushed to a high-quality hospital
immediately and receive the best care throughout recovery...what's his outlook?
When will he be allowed to go home, if all goes well? How long before he's
healed to normal? When will it be safe for him to walk around, drive, have sex,
etc.?

A: In your story, what happens to your shooting victim depends upon what injuries he received. A gunshot wound (GSW to docs and cops) can be a minor flesh wound or can be immediately deadly or anywhere in between. It all depends on the caliber and
speed of the bullet and the exact structures it hits. A shot to the heart may
kill instantly or not. The victim could die in a few minutes or survive for
days or could recover completely with proper medical care and surgery. It’s
highly variable but ask any surgeon or ER doctor and they will tell you that
it’s hard to...