Terrorism is a problem that has affected many countries and areas of human activity in the last decade. Acts of terror took various forms (attack by organized groups or individuals). The means that were used to inflict damage on the victims of the attacks also varied. Rescuers sent to provide assistance at the site of a terrorist attack must in such a case prepare for work far from generally accepted standards, a large number of victims, mechanisms of injuries different from those with which they deal in everyday practice. The key element of providing assistance in this type of incidents will be, above all, the appropriate mental attitude and knowledge of procedures and methods of treating injuries resulting from the impact of firearms and the consequences of an explosion. The purpose of this article is to indicate the most important factors that should be taken into account when planning or starting rescue operations in the environment of a terrorist attack.