www.alertdiver.com
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Circulation, airway and breathing also warrant special
attention in burn victims. Exposure to intense heat can cause
airway swelling; smoke inhalation can impair breathing
and loss of fluid due to burns might lead to shock, a type
of cardiovascular emergency. When assessing airway and
breathing, note any coughing or wheezing or the presence of
soot, ash or redness around the nose and mouth. These clues
can improve a rescuer’s understanding of any respiratory
symptoms that may be present.
Types of Burns
A burn occurs when the body’s tissues are subjected
to more energy than they can tolerate. This energy can
come from chemicals, heat (thermal energy), radiation or
electricity. Chemical burns are caused by contact with a
caustic chemical. If the chemical is dry, assist the victim in
brushing off the substance and consult a Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS), which should be present wherever
caustic chemicals are found. If there is no MSDS available,
flush with copious amounts of water. Chemical burns are
not particularly common in backcountry settings. Thermal
burns, on the other hand, are common, often resulting from
accidents involving fires or stoves. Thermal burns may result
from contact with flame, a hot solid object such as a camp
stove or hot liquid such as boiling water. Thermal burns,
though, are not the most common burns experienced by
backcountry travelers. That distinction goes to radiation
burns. If this is surprising, it may sound even stranger that
the source of the radiation is 93 million miles away. It’s
the sun, of course; it burns more outdoor enthusiasts than
all other sources combined. Finally, electrical burns in the
outdoors are most often a result of lightning strike (see
“Field Medicine,” Alert Diver, Summer 2011).
First Aid
After ensuring the scene is safe and quickly addressing
CAB, rescuers should douse a burn with cool water. Either
fresh or salt water will do, and the cleanliness of the water
is not particularly important since cooling is the goal. This
irrigation should continue for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This
may sound like a long time, but it is important to stop the
burning process in deeper tissues. (Experienced cooks will
recognize this principle; it’s the same one by which meat
keeps cooking after it is removed from the oven.) Clothing,
particularly boots or shoes, should be removed immediately
to prevent continued exposure.
800.227.3483
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email
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www.anthonyskey.com/dan
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