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