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FALL 2011
Burns
T E X T B Y B R I A N H A R P E R / P H O T O S B Y S T E P H E N F R I N K
B
urns are among the most distressing injuries
a person can experience. They are often
unpleasant in appearance and extremely
painful. Burns can be disfiguring and even life
threatening. When providing first aid to someone who
has been burned, remember good bedside manner: Care
for the injured person as well as the burn.
It is important rescuers of burn victims not forget the
fundamentals of basic life support. Although a burned
individual’s pain and emotional distress may be severe, as in
all emergency situations the priorities in care are scene safety
followed by circulation, airway and breathing (CAB). When
establishing if a scene is safe, it is important to determine
whether the source of the burn (a fire or hot stove, for
example) is still a hazard and respond accordingly. If a person
is on fire, he should be encouraged to stop, drop and roll as
rescuers attempt to smother or douse the flames. Caregivers
should never place themselves at risk of being burned,
inhaling smoke or being trapped by fire in order to provide
first aid.
Knowing how to prevent,
assess and treat burns is an
essential backcountry skill.
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE
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