Dry burns and scalds

VIDEO 21- PUTTING OUT THE FIRE ON SOMEONE WHO IS BURNING

Your aims:

  1. Stop the burning.
  2. Relieve the pain and swelling.
  3. Make it less likely the burn will be infected.
  4. Keep the airway open, if necessary.
  5. Try to get medical help as soon as possible, if necessary.

 

Your actions:

NOTE – IF THE PERSON, OR HIS OR HER CLOTHING, IS STILL ON FIRE, use the Stop, Drop and Roll procedure to put the flames out:

Stop:
Stop the casualty from running.

Any movement will make the fire worse.

Drop:
Drop the casualty to the ground. If there is anything to wrap the casualty in, for example, a woollen blanket,curtains, a coat, a rug, (not plastic) wrap him or her in this now.

As always, assess D R A B, respond as needed, and treat any more urgent injuries.
Lay the casualty down. Try to prevent the burned area from coming into contact with the ground.
Flood the injured area with running cold water (you could use a jug and bowl to do this), or place the injured area in cold water (eg. in a bath or stream) for at least 10 minutes. If the casualty is on the ground, try to make sure the water is not collecting underneath him or her.

Call for help.

Continue cooling the area until the pain subsides. Be careful not to overcool the casualty – be especially careful if the casualty is a baby or an elderly person.

Put on disposable gloves if available – if not, make sure your hands are clean. Gently take off anything such as rings and watches from the affected area before it begins to swell.

Take off burned clothing only if it is not sticking to the burn.

UNLESS THE BURN IS TO THE FACE, cover the area with a sterile dressing to protect it from infection. If a sterile dressing is not available, use a folded triangular bandage, part of a sheet or other clean cloth. A clean plastic bag or clingfilm (plastic on a roll) will also make a good dressing for a short time.

Do not secure the dressing too tightly, since the area will swell. IF THE BURN IS TO THE FACE, do not cover, since this might upset the casualty and/or block the airway – make sure the area is kept clean.

Do not secure the dressing too tightly, since the area will swell. IF THE BURN IS TO THE FACE, do not cover, since this might upset the casualty and/or block the airway – make sure the area is kept clean.

Treat for shock if necessary (see Unit 9).

Remember to keep checking the casualty’s vital signs and writing down (or remembering) what you found and what you did, so that you can report this to any health worker who takes over from you. Be prepared to resuscitate. Continue to reassure the casualty.

DO NOT:

Do not use fluffy materials (materials that are not smooth, like cottonwool) or adhesive (sticky) dressings.

Do not burst (open) any blisters.

Do not apply any creams, lotions or fats to the burn.

Do not touch the burn.

Do not remove anything sticking to the burned area.