don't rip an arrow out unless you want to die
Wow, Olivia, violent title.
I know, but I'm blunt and it catches attention so... yeah.
Hello Lovelies! Welcome to today's lesson on weapons artfully titled
Yayyyyy! Let's learn about the different ways to write wounds and such because if you rip an arrow out it's probably going to leave the arrow head in whatever you ripped it out of.
I'm thinking this'll be a series of how to write wounds from different weapons. What do y'all think?
So, your protagonist (or someone close to your protagonist or really just anyone b/c let's be honest we're a pretty cruel group) has been shot by an arrow.
Do you go the normal, awesome route and have them rip it from their shoulder, only to continue and dramatically faint from blood loss or slay the enemy with their own arrow?
Or do you go the realistic route, where the character is in great pain and ends up having to undergo a style of field surgery to get it out?
First off, you have to consider your character. Are they human? If so, I suggest you go the realistic way. If not, it's totally up to you. They could have a fast healing thing like Wolverine. However, there are still a few things to keep in mind.
1: Arrows are mainly made of a metal head and a wooden shaft, with feathers for vanes (this does vary with time periods).
2: Whatever sticks the arrow on the shaft is usually not strong enough to endure excessive drenching of the wood (caused by blood).
3: Arrows are designed in a way so that they are very difficult to get back out without inflicting major damage.
Second, let's look at the way to realistically write an arrow wound.
It is not something that's easy to remove. The blood will warp the wood, causing the arrow head to most likely break off. What you have to realize first is that these things are created to inflict maximum damage upon removal. It goes into the skin/target, the wedge of the arrow head cutting through it. The ears (the flappy bend-back parts) hold the arrow in. When you pull it out, it digs into the flesh. Also, this whole thing is lodged into your leg--anyone touching it would cause severe pain because not only are they messing with the part that cut you, they're messing with the shaft that is pressing against torn flesh all the way from the epidermis to the however deep the arrow head went.
So how do you remove an arrow? It's not pleasant. What you do is you slide your finger down the shaft, into the wound (whiskey or some pain reliever is recommended for the injured while this transpires), and check to see if it's lodged in a bone. If it is, try to see how deep it is. If it's just nicked it, go ahead and pull it out. If it is deeper, if it's shattered some bone, gently rock it with your finger as someone slowly pulls on the shaft. If it isn't, try to use one or two fingers to cover the ears and grip the base of the arrow and the shaft. SLOWLY rock it back and forth, keeping a steady pull while moving it. Remember to take a break if your injured person needs it--pain is a crippling thing, and with that and blood loss they may feel the need to pass out. Once the arrow is out, there are two things you need to keep in mind:
1: Cover the wound. Keep a steady pressure on it for AT LEAST twenty minutes.
2: Don't move them. You can move what they are sitting on, you can move them onto a stretcher, but DO NOT move their leg. Their muscle just got pierced by a hunk of metal and wood--do not move them. If their bones are shattered, it can tear it up more. If it isn't shattered, you're still risking tearing the flesh further.
So, those are the basic things to keep in mind! If you have any questions or anything, don't hesitate to ask!
Why did I write this, you may ask. It's not my usual post. Well... let's just say Fenrir has an affinity for the crossbow and I had to learn in excruciating detail what exactly happens when you are shot by one.
~Olivia Ann
I know, but I'm blunt and it catches attention so... yeah.
Hello Lovelies! Welcome to today's lesson on weapons artfully titled
Yayyyyy! Let's learn about the different ways to write wounds and such because if you rip an arrow out it's probably going to leave the arrow head in whatever you ripped it out of.
I'm thinking this'll be a series of how to write wounds from different weapons. What do y'all think?
>>-arrows->
So, your protagonist (or someone close to your protagonist or really just anyone b/c let's be honest we're a pretty cruel group) has been shot by an arrow.
Do you go the normal, awesome route and have them rip it from their shoulder, only to continue and dramatically faint from blood loss or slay the enemy with their own arrow?
Or do you go the realistic route, where the character is in great pain and ends up having to undergo a style of field surgery to get it out?
First off, you have to consider your character. Are they human? If so, I suggest you go the realistic way. If not, it's totally up to you. They could have a fast healing thing like Wolverine. However, there are still a few things to keep in mind.
1: Arrows are mainly made of a metal head and a wooden shaft, with feathers for vanes (this does vary with time periods).
2: Whatever sticks the arrow on the shaft is usually not strong enough to endure excessive drenching of the wood (caused by blood).
3: Arrows are designed in a way so that they are very difficult to get back out without inflicting major damage.
Second, let's look at the way to realistically write an arrow wound.
It is not something that's easy to remove. The blood will warp the wood, causing the arrow head to most likely break off. What you have to realize first is that these things are created to inflict maximum damage upon removal. It goes into the skin/target, the wedge of the arrow head cutting through it. The ears (the flappy bend-back parts) hold the arrow in. When you pull it out, it digs into the flesh. Also, this whole thing is lodged into your leg--anyone touching it would cause severe pain because not only are they messing with the part that cut you, they're messing with the shaft that is pressing against torn flesh all the way from the epidermis to the however deep the arrow head went.
So how do you remove an arrow? It's not pleasant. What you do is you slide your finger down the shaft, into the wound (whiskey or some pain reliever is recommended for the injured while this transpires), and check to see if it's lodged in a bone. If it is, try to see how deep it is. If it's just nicked it, go ahead and pull it out. If it is deeper, if it's shattered some bone, gently rock it with your finger as someone slowly pulls on the shaft. If it isn't, try to use one or two fingers to cover the ears and grip the base of the arrow and the shaft. SLOWLY rock it back and forth, keeping a steady pull while moving it. Remember to take a break if your injured person needs it--pain is a crippling thing, and with that and blood loss they may feel the need to pass out. Once the arrow is out, there are two things you need to keep in mind:
1: Cover the wound. Keep a steady pressure on it for AT LEAST twenty minutes.
2: Don't move them. You can move what they are sitting on, you can move them onto a stretcher, but DO NOT move their leg. Their muscle just got pierced by a hunk of metal and wood--do not move them. If their bones are shattered, it can tear it up more. If it isn't shattered, you're still risking tearing the flesh further.
So, those are the basic things to keep in mind! If you have any questions or anything, don't hesitate to ask!
Why did I write this, you may ask. It's not my usual post. Well... let's just say Fenrir has an affinity for the crossbow and I had to learn in excruciating detail what exactly happens when you are shot by one.
Anyways! Are you writing weapons? Do you have anything you'd like me to write about? How do your characters feel about the crossbow and such? Let's talk!
~Olivia Ann
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