GSI Emergency Procedures & Incident Management 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: After controlling severe bleeding in a gunshot victim, what is the next priority in the MARCH protocol?
- Check the patient's identification
- Assess and manage the airway (Correct answer)
- Apply ice to the wound
- Administer oral fluids
Correct answer: Assess and manage the airway
After hemorrhage control, the next MARCH step is to ensure the airway is open and clear to maintain oxygenation.
Question 2: A student experiences a delayed-fire (hangfire) situation. How long should the firearm remain pointed downrange before opening the action?
- 5 seconds
- 30 seconds minimum, keeping the muzzle pointed safely downrange (Correct answer)
- 10 seconds
- The action can be opened immediately once you believe the round is a dud
Correct answer: 30 seconds minimum, keeping the muzzle pointed safely downrange
A minimum 30-second wait with the muzzle pointed downrange is standard protocol for a suspected hangfire, as ignition can occur after a delay.
Question 3: Which of the following is the MOST important factor in surviving a serious shooting range injury?
- Having a trauma surgeon on site
- Rapidly controlling hemorrhage within the first few minutes (Correct answer)
- Transporting the patient by private vehicle to reduce wait time
- Administering pain medication from the first aid kit
Correct answer: Rapidly controlling hemorrhage within the first few minutes
Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death from traumatic injuries; rapid bleeding control in the first minutes is the single most critical intervention.
Question 4: An instructor discovers that a student brought a concealed loaded firearm onto a 'no loaded firearms' range. What should the instructor do?
- Allow the student to stay if they agree not to draw the firearm
- Calmly ask the student to unload the firearm and escort them off the range, then document the incident (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to avoid confrontation
- Announce the situation to the entire class
Correct answer: Calmly ask the student to unload the firearm and escort them off the range, then document the incident
A clear safety violation requires the instructor to remove the hazard (unload the firearm) and remove the violator, then document the incident per range policy.
Question 5: What should an instructor tell students about the range's emergency procedures at the START of every session?
- Nothing — briefing students would cause unnecessary anxiety
- The location of first aid supplies, AED, emergency exits, and the procedure for calling for help (Correct answer)
- Only the ceasefire commands and nothing else
- Emergency procedures only for students who request the information
Correct answer: The location of first aid supplies, AED, emergency exits, and the procedure for calling for help
Students must know emergency resources and procedures before any shooting begins so they can respond correctly if an incident occurs.
Question 6: A student suffers a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after being stung by an insect on the outdoor range. They have a known epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). What should the instructor do?
- Wait to see if symptoms resolve on their own
- Help the student use their EpiPen immediately and call 911, as anaphylaxis is life-threatening (Correct answer)
- Give the student an antihistamine tablet from the first aid kit and monitor them
- Have the student lie down and elevate their legs only
Correct answer: Help the student use their EpiPen immediately and call 911, as anaphylaxis is life-threatening
Anaphylaxis can be fatal within minutes; epinephrine administration and immediate EMS activation are both required — antihistamines alone are insufficient.
Question 7: If a shooting range experiences a structure fire while students are present, the instructor's FIRST action should be:
- Retrieve all firearms and lock them in the armory
- Initiate evacuation of all personnel immediately (Correct answer)
- Attempt to extinguish the fire before calling 911
- Continue the session while assessing the fire's size
Correct answer: Initiate evacuation of all personnel immediately
Life safety is always the first priority; all personnel must be evacuated immediately before any other actions are taken during a structure fire.
GSI Emergency Procedures & Incident Management 5
After controlling severe bleeding in a gunshot victim, what is the next priority in the MARCH protocol?