How To Administer Basic Aid to Burn Victims

9/3/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Broadview, MT

If your commercial property in Broadview, MT, catches fire, the damage to the building may not be the only problem you have to address. Fire damage to your building is worrisome enough, but if people are burned by the fire, you may have to administer some basic burn first aid. Minor burns can be treated by cooling, applying lotion and bandaging to keep the burn clean, but major burns require emergency treatment.

Symptoms of Major Burns

Before you can determine how a burn should be treated, you must first assess the type of burn it is. A major burn will display certain characteristics:

• Parched skin with the texture of leather
• Patches of black, brown or white where skin has charred
• Deep wounds
• Diameter of three inches or more
•  Located on the extremities, groin, buttocks, face or major joints

If you see any of these symptoms, call emergency services immediately. The burn victim will likely need professional medical help for the fire damage to his or her body.

Aid for Major Burns

While you are waiting for the EMTs to arrive, you can help a person with major burns by keeping them comfortable, safe and as calm as possible. You do not need to apply the same first aid principles as you would with a minor burn, as most of those steps may cause more harm than good. You can cover the burn with a wet cloth to cool it off, but never submerge a major burn in water. If the burn can be elevated above the heart, that can help slow blood loss. Move the individual to a safe location, and make sure he or she is breathing normally.

Fire damage to your building can be mitigated by remediation experts, but injuries to a human require first aid or medical attention. Look for signs to distinguish between major and minor burns and respond accordingly.