Survival and First Aid Tips When Dealing With Burns

The first thing that you really need to do when dealing with burns is to assess the severity of the burn.  Any deep or large burn, or a burn that has occurred to the face, or hands all need to be checked out at an emergency center or by a doctor.  Electrical burns as well can be very dangerous and may not look as serious as they are, and should also be seen by a doctor right away. First you need to assess which type of burn you have so that you may treat it properly. If you are by anyway unsure of the severity of the burn and are concerned about it, call 911 or your doctor immediately.

First degree burn:

• Injuries are mild and will show some redness and swelling around the area
• Pain will be present but no blisters are forming
• Burned areas become white to the touch
• Usually will take three days to a week to heal

How to care for the burn:

• Take the person away from the heat source and remove burnt or scorched clothing
• Run cool, not cold water over the burn if possible; if not you can fill the sink or tub with cool water and submerge the area
• Gently clean and dry the area if possible after burning sensation stops, or hold a wet cloth over it
• You can also apply a lotion or cream to the sight of the burn
• If conditions worsens go to see a doctor

If you are unable to get to clean water:

If you have a water bottle use clean water to cool the burn for 10 to 15 minutes, try and filter more water so you have pleanty of water to stay hydrated as well. If you are unsure of the severity of the burn DO NOT remove the clothing covering it.  Doing so may peel off the skin leaving the burn exposed and prone to infection in the wilderness.  If the burn is exposed cover it with a steril gauze bandage or clean peice of cloth. Do not put any pressure on the wound, and tape the gauze down very gently if needed.  keep the body part elevated if possible to reduce swelling, and take an ibuprofen or asprin for the pain.

Second-degree burn:

• The sight of the burn will be more severe then a first-degree burn
• Swelling and redness and increased level of pain will be present and white to the touch
• Blisters may occur that may also ooze to the touch
• Dehydration may set in

How to care for the burn:

• Rinse the burn in cool water for 20-30 minutes, this could also prevent the burn from worsening
• Gently clean and dry the effected area
• Apply an antibiotic ointment and gently cover to prevent infection, and try not to put pressure on the burn
• If it is easy to raise the burn that can also help with swelling

If in the wilderness remember:

A burn keeps burning long after the initial contact so it it crucial to treat all burns right away, rather then wait to see how severe they may be. While clean cool water is best, you may not have that as an option.  Get the body part into a lake or stream if necessary, and just make sure to keep the wound clean after you have cooled it properlly.  Ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling. After you clean the wound very well you can apply an antibiotic ointment and a clean gauze or cloth coverying. If the wound has already blistered try not to pop it or peel the skin off, it is your bodies natural covering the wound. If it is on the foot, keep it elevated and don’t walk on it right away. Possibly look for a way to evacuate the person if they are unable to walk themselves.

Third-degree burn:

• Damages all three layers of skin, destroys nearby hair follicles, sweat glands and nerve endings
• Swelling will probably occur, and may not be sensitive to pain due to damage to nerves
• Probably won’t have blisters, or become white to the touch, but will probably become discolored at the burn sight
• Call and see your doctor or emergency care for further instructions and treatment

Third-degree burn in the wilderness:

If you have a chared or severe burn leaving skin pale or colorless, you need to treat immediately and with extreame caution.  The wound needs to be cleaned well, and antibiotic and clean covering is critical. Large burns are life-threatening and need to be treated as such.  Keep the person hydrated and calm and work to get them evactuated as soon as possible and admitted into a hospital.  If unsure of the severity of the burn treat it as an emergency and be very cautious with the victim.

If you are in the wilderness or cannot get to a doctor follow these steps as closely as possible and keep the clean and covered wound elevated until it can be further treated at home or at a hospital.  Be prepared and pack a first aid kid with medical supplies like alcohol wipes, anticeptic, clean coverings, and instant ice packs.  Do not underestimate the severity of a burn, and let the patient lie down as they may become dizzy or nausious.  Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry, so treat the burn immediately, even if it leads to the end of a fun trip a bit early.

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