SWW ProtecWork catalouge eng 1
Heat and Flame Protective Wear First aid for burn
s. Protect the victim from further harm. Temperature and exposure time determine how extensive and severe the injury is. First-degree burn – damage to the epidermis, normally heals in a couple of days. Second-degree burn – dermal-epidermal, injures the dermis, usually causes skin blisters and major inflammation. Third-degree burn – total damage to skin/tissue characterised by hard, white skin resembling parchment. In a full-thickness skin injury, sensory receptors in the tissue are damaged, meaning no pain will be felt in the damaged area. Fourth-degree burn – burn extends through the entire skin into underlying fat, muscle and bone. Skin is black and charred with dead tissue. The area is given in TBSA (Total Burn Surface Area) percentage, which expresses the size of the burn as a percentage of total body area. An arm is approximately 9%, and a leg 18%. • Cool the burnt area to help soothe the pain, but do not expose the wound for approximately 20 minutes. After that, cover the burnt area. Use sterile gauze if possible, a smooth and cool bandage or a clean cloth. • Remove jewellery, watches, rings and other tight-fitting items from the burnt area. Try to do this quickly and gently before the area becomes inflamed. • Remove any loose, charred clothing, but do not remove burnt clothing stuck to the skin. • Do not apply powder or ointment to the wound. • Perform anti-shock treatment: Silence – Adequate temperature – Fluids – Pain management – Transport (for treatment from medical professionals). Categorising the severity of burns A burn is a type of injury to the skin or other tissue caused by heat or hot substances in a solid, liquid or gaseous state. They can cause tissue damage to various degrees, depending on the nature, intensity and duration of the damage. Burns are classified into four types, ranging from first- to fourth-degree. Skin burn: At 44˚C – pain is felt At 48˚C – second-degree burn may occur At 72˚C – second- or third-degree burns occur instantly 15