Non-lethal wounds?

I am writing a story that includes plenty of combat and focuses on realism. Obviously a character is gonna get shot sooner or later, and I need to know how to keep the character alive in a believable and realistic way.

So how do I do that?

edited 23rd May '11 1:21:12 PM by LordIronHat

Easy, avoid any wound that severs a major artery. For example, have a rifle round graze the outer thigh. Not only might it sever a hamstring making mobility difficult, but it's away from the femoral artery so there's little risk of dying by blood loss in a matter of minutes.

Alternatively, have a life threatening wound but have a medic actually stop the bleeding in the field. (Either way the wounded guy will need evac'd since a wounded man is a man likely out of the fight.)

Bullets may go through people without harming the critical bits. It's relatively frequent.

Many wounds are survivable... Perhaps most. Still, some are full-blown crippling and others, perhaps most, cause moderate disabilities.

If shrapnel shreds a big enough part of a muscle, you're gonna face long and frustrating recovery training to get your strength back, and there's no guarantee you'll regain it completely.

Wouldn't a bullet cauterize the wound?

A bullet cannot cauterize your wound, no.

Alright, good. Now I have what I need.