How To Administer Burn First Aid

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Know more about Burn First Aid by Following Our Tips.

When a fire occurs in your building in Bountiful, UT, you must start your emergency protocol quickly and efficiently. In addition to the fire damage that flames and smoke are likely to cause to your building, you also need to make sure that everyone gets out safely with little to no injury. Sometimes burns do happen, though. It's crucial to know how to respond.

Determining the Type of First Aid Needed

The first thing you need to do before administering burn first aid is to determine how severe the injury is. A minor burn doesn't usually require medical attention. You will need assistance from the emergency response team if the problem shows signs of being severe:

• Charred patches of skin
• Deep wounds that go through multiple layers of skin
• Large burn that is over three inches in diameter
• Abrasion located on a sensitive part of the body such as the face or extremities
• Intense or sudden swelling

Protecting the Injured Person

People with both major and minor burns need to be protected from further injury before anyone begins to administer aid. Follow the evacuation procedures you have practiced to help them get clear of the building that has fire damage. Then make sure they are comfortable and that all their vital signs such as breathing and body temperature remain as close to normal as possible.

If clothing is stuck to the burn, do not attempt to remove it, but you can help the victims take off constricting jewelry or other items that may get in the way of treatment.

Treating a Minor Burn

A small, minor burn that shows only red skin or a few blisters doesn't necessarily need medical intervention. Keep it cool, clean and covered. Run it under cool water or lightly pat with a damp rag to reduce the heat. Use a first-aid ointment to clean the area gently. Cover it loosely, careful not to pop the blisters, so that it is protected from the air and anything it may carry.

Finally, the burn victim can take an over-the-counter medication designed to reduce pain, fever and swelling to help relieve discomfort.

Dealing With a Major Burn

Fire restoration experts know how quickly flames can destroy a building. A raging fire can also injure anyone caught in its path. When people show signs of a major burn, there is not much a person without medical training can do for them. You should loosely cover the burn with a clean cloth to protect them from further injury until the emergency team arrives.

Don't leave them unattended, just in case they go into shock or need your assistance. Wait for them until the ambulance arrives and then let the EMTs take over.

Knowing the right evacuation routes to get out of a building with fire damage is important. Understanding how to administer aid for burns is crucial, too. The more people there are in your building who know the basics, the better chance everyone has of getting out of the fire mostly unscathed.