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Burns

Pakistan

ICITAP

Learning Objectives Understand different types of burns

Learn to identify degrees of burns

Know First Aid treatment for burns

Introduction

As Police Officers, you will be exposed to burn injuries resulting from accidents, combat and blast injuries

The burn victim must be treated at a medical facility as soon as possible

A knowledge of first aid can often mean the difference between life and death

Burn Care

The 4 Goals of Burn Care are:

Avoid infection

Reduce pain

Promote effective wound healing

Minimize scarring and psychological trauma

Safety First If a victim is being burned, you must

first eliminate the source of the burn in order to protect both the victim and yourself

Once the immediate danger has been removed or controlled: check the victim for breathing control any major bleeding take measures to control or prevent

shock

Types of Burns There are three classifications of burns:

First degree burns

Second degree burns

Third degree burns

Knowing these classifications of burns will help you determine the proper emergency care

Degree burns

First Degree Burn: the skin is red and

painful like a sunburn, but blisters are

not present

Second Degree Burn: the skin is red

and painful, blisters are present

Degree burns

First degree Second degree

Degree burns

Third Degree Burns: the skin

layers are destroyed and

underlying fat, muscles, and/or

bone may also be damaged. The

burn area may not be painful because

the nerves have been destroyed, but

the surrounding second and first

degree burn areas may be painful.

Degree burns

Third degree

Types of Burns Burns can be classified by their severity

(degree of burn) or by their cause, such as:

Thermal Electrical Chemical Radiant sources

Causes of Burns

Thermal burns are caused by heat. They can be caused by a flame, a hot object or steam.

Electrical burns are caused by an electrical current passing through the body. This can be caused by coming into contact with a "live" electrical wire.

Causes of Burns Chemical burns are caused by

liquid or dry chemicals. For example, ammonia or white phosphorus.

Radiant energy burns can be caused by lasers, ultraviolet light, and microwaves. The primary danger is to the eyes.

Putting out flames If the victim’s clothing is on fire, cover him with a large piece of non-synthetic material (such as a wool or cotton blanket). DO NOT use synthetic materials such as nylon and rayon because they may melt and cause additional injury. Roll him on the ground until the flames are smothered

Cover Roll

Putting out flames

Putting out flames If non-synthetic material cannot be

obtained quickly, get the casualty

to the ground and have him roll on

the flame until it goes out

Electrical Burns If the victim is lying on an electrical wire,

always assume the electrical wire is carrying an electrical current

This can be a danger to yourself, as well as to the victim

Do not touch the electrical wire with your hands

Do not touch the victim because the current can pass from the wire, to the victim, to YOU!

Stop the Current

If the electrical current can be turned off quickly, such as flipping a switch, turn it off before removing the victim from the wire

Be certain that both you and the victim are away from the electrical source before beginning first aid

Check For Breathing

Lay victim down, protecting burned area from contact with the ground

Check the victim’s respiration after you have separated him from the current. Administer mouth-to-mouth breathing as needed.

First Aid for Skin Burns Gently pour large amounts of cold water or

other liquid on the burn site. Thorough cooling can take up to 10 minutes.

While cooling the burn, check airway, breathing and pulse

Expose burn by gently cutting or lifting away any clothing covering the affected area

Carefully remove burned clothing unless it is sticking to the burn

First Aid for Skin Burns

Gently remove any ring, watches, belts, shoes or smoldering clothing from the injured area before it begins to swell

The jewelry which is not removed may have to be cut off later if the limb swells

Cover the injury with a sterile field dressing or other non-fluffy material to protect from infection

First Aid for Skin Burns If necessary, a clean plastic bag or kitchen

food wrap may be used. Burns to the face should be cooled with water but NOT covered.

Ensure medical help is on the way

First Aid for Skin Burns

Treat the victim for shock and continue to monitor airway, breathing and pulse, and ventilate if necessary

If the burn is an electrical burn, find and dress both the entry and the exit burn wound. The sole of the foot is a common location for the exit burn.

First Aid for Skin Burns If the burned area is large, use the cleanest material

available to cover the burned area

Do not try to clean the burned area before applying the dressing

Do not apply any grease, ointments, or medications to the burned area

Do not break any blisters that have formed

Check for Shock

Fluid lost through burns is a cause of shock

Dress the Burn

Warnings!

DO NOT

Break blisters

Apply grease or ointments

Place dressing over the face

Questions?

Class Practical Exercise

Practice some of the skills shared in this presentation

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