Welcome to the 1st Aid Site!
Everything First Aid Related...

Emergency First aid: Throat penetration by projectile?

what happens if there is a hole in the throat by a crossbow bolt what do i do?
or a bullet or a pellet or an arrow what do i do?
would u be able to breathe with a hole in your throat

Public Comments

1. Is it your throat? If so you should probably freak out.

2. go to the emergency right away (the walk it clinic might work too but ER is better)!!!

3. there's lots of vital structures in the throat. the thing that'll kill your right away is an injury to a major blood vessel like the carotid artery- you'll bleed to death. if the object has caused an airway obstruction by lodging within the trachea (windpipe) you'll also die pretty quickly without immediate assistance. then there's lots of other things that'll kill you slowly, like infection. if other vital structures such as the esophagus (food pipe) have been injured, they'll likely require a surgical fix.

as for first aid... basically follow the ABC's: Airway (make sure has open airway passage), Breathing (make sure patient is breathing), and Circulation (direct pressure, control the bleeding). get to hospital ASAP.

4. Well, in first aid one must remember the ABCs. Is the airway obstructed? Is breathing compromised? Is circulation compromised. If there is bleeding, direct pressure can be applied to ONE side of the throat (not both or you'll obstruct the airway). If the projectile is an arrow or bolt and it's still lodged in the throat DO NOT REMOVE IT. Instead apply a dressing to stabilize it in place until it can be removed under controlled conditions in a hospital. Many people have only superficial injuries due to projectiles. The danger arises if the projectile nicks a major artery (the carotid) or vein (the jugular) or mechanically obstructs the airway.
Of course you'd call emergency services.
If the airway is obstructed, have the victim sit upright or lay on their side (if possible) to facilitate drainage. If it's completely obstructed, initiate CPR as best you're able to.
Keep the victim quiet and reassure them. Panic will only exacerbate any breathing issues.