| Burns, and scalds are common types of injuries | | | | the trunk are eighteen percent each, and each leg |
| that a first aid provider will have to deal with. | | | | is fourteen percent.What not to do for a burnAll |
| Because they result in tissue damage and in come | | | | burns are easily susceptible to infection and |
| cases destruction they are also one of the most | | | | further injury. In some cases the casualty may |
| painful, and difficult injuries to heal. However with | | | | not feel pain (as in 3rd degree burns where the |
| prompt, proper treatment when the injury | | | | nerves have been destroyed). There are some |
| happens this trauma can be reduced.Types of | | | | basic precautions you should follow with regard to |
| Burns:Burns can be caused in numerous ways, but | | | | all burns: |
| they can essentially be grouped into four classes. | | | | Don't breathe, cough, or touch a burn. |
| HeatAs expected this is the most common type | | | | Don't break any blisters. |
| of burn and can be caused by any sufficiently hot | | | | Don't remove clothing that is stuck. |
| object. Scalds are a type of heat burn caused by | | | | Don't use butter, or oily dressings on a burn. The |
| a liquid, steam or conceivably both. For example | | | | only exception is sunburn lotion on a minor |
| water at 66 degrees celcius can burn a childs skin | | | | sunburn. |
| in two seconds.ChemicalChemical burns are very | | | | Don't cover burns with cotton, wool, or adhesive |
| serious, as the chemical continues to burn as long | | | | dressings. |
| as the chemical is on the skin. Acids, alkalis, | | | | Don't cool the casualty too much. When burn is |
| phenols, and phosphorus can cause them. Most | | | | cooled, wrap casualty to prevent shock. |
| chemical burns are treated as critical burns. | | | | What to do for a burn |
| Common items around the house that can cause | | | | Inform casualty you are first aid trained, and ask |
| chemical burns are oven cleaner, drain | | | | if you can assist them.Everybody has the right |
| cleaner.ElectricalResult from contact with an | | | | not to be touched by others. When you are |
| electric current. While heat is the actual agent that | | | | offering first aid this must be respected. You |
| causes the burn, electrical burns are normally | | | | should always identify yourself as someone who |
| treated differently because of the electrical factor. | | | | is first aid trained, and then ask if you can |
| All are treated as critical burns.RadiationSunburn is | | | | help.The casualty can say "Yes" or otherwise |
| likely the most common type of radiation burn | | | | indicate their consent. They can do nothing, but |
| that most people are familiar with, but other | | | | not prevent you from assisting. If there are |
| sources can be x-rays, the flash from an | | | | relations present they can also give consent. If it |
| arc-welder, and exposure to radioactive material | | | | is a child, and their parents are not around then |
| (although this is rare). | | | | you can proceed. In all these cases you have |
| The Description of a Burn: Most people have | | | | consent or implied consent to assist.The casualty |
| heard of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns, but what | | | | also has the right to say "No", which may sound |
| does this mean? It simply refers to the severity | | | | odd, but they may have reasons, which you must |
| of the burn, and which of the three layers of | | | | respect.Cool / Wash the burnCool the burn with |
| tissue is burned. First-degree burns affect only the | | | | cool clean water, until pain is reduced. If burn was |
| top layer of skin (the epidermis). Second-degree | | | | caused by a chemical flush entire area with large |
| burns affect the first, and second layer (the | | | | amounts of clean water (twenty minutes or |
| dermis), and third degree affects these plus the | | | | more). If chemical is a dry powder brush off any |
| third layer (fatty tissue). Third degree burns are | | | | loose chemical before flushing. If eye is involved |
| the most serious.In addition to the above any | | | | you may have to hold eye open as casualty may |
| burn is considered critical if: | | | | not be able to do this.Loosen or remove anything |
| it was caused by electricity, and most chemicals | | | | on or around the burned area that is tight.This is |
| it interferes with breathing (burns on face, throat, | | | | especially important for rings, jewelry, tight |
| or through inhalation) | | | | clothing, foot wear. Do this as soon as possible |
| it is accompanied by soft tissue damage or a | | | | before the injury swells. But don't remove |
| fracture. | | | | anything that is stuck.Cover with a clean, lint-free |
| it is located where the skin bends (elbows, | | | | dressing.When the pain has been reduced, cover |
| knees, etc.) | | | | the burned area with a clean dressing. Secure it |
| the casualty is under two or over fifty years of | | | | with tape, but make sure no tape touches the |
| age. | | | | burned area. If you have access to specialized |
| the casualty has other medical conditions | | | | burn dressings then use these according to the |
| (diabetes, seizures, mental illness, etc.). | | | | package directions.Give on-going careArrange for |
| When a person is burned medical personnel will | | | | medical aid, give first aid for shock, make the |
| normally also give the percentage of the body | | | | casualty comfortable, and monitor their condition |
| that was burned. There are two main ways of | | | | until medical aid arrives or they are delivered to a |
| estimating the area of a burn. The easiest way is | | | | medical facility.ConclusionBurns are likely to be one |
| to assume that the size of the casualty's palm is | | | | of the more serious injuries that a first aider will |
| equal to one percent of their body. In general on | | | | encounter. But with proper training and |
| an average adult this will equate to eighteen | | | | preparations they can be easily taken care of, |
| percent each for a leg, and the same for either | | | | and the patient will recover.Howard Gibbins is the |
| the front or back surfaces of the trunk. Each arm | | | | owner of Ursa Major Consulting which specializes |
| is worth nine percent, as is the head and neck | | | | in website design and internet marketing. He runs |
| combined; the remaining one percent is allocated | | | | a number of different websites including World |
| to the genitalia.On a child the head and neck | | | | Wide First Aid which offers a wide assortment of |
| combined equal eighteen percent, each arm is | | | | first aid kits, training products, and reference |
| again nine percent, the front and back surfaces of | | | | materials. |