Check, call, care - note
- only call emergency personnel if the burn or burns appear major or life
threatening or there are others who received burns - otherwise, treat and
get the victim to a medical facility
Flush the burn with cool
water
Cover the burn with sterile
gauze or dressing in order to prevent infection
Call 911 if the burn is
severe
When treating a burn, never:
Place ointment on a burn –
it may seal in the heat and cause the person to continue to burn. Butter
and household ointments should be avoided at all costs
Use ice or ice water on a
burn unless it is very small (a burn on the tip of a finger). It can rob
the body of heat (which can cause shock) or even make the burn worse
Remove clothing that may be
sticking to a burn. This can cause even more damage to the burn area
Touch the burn - only
sterile bandages or dressings should touch the burn in order to prevent
infection
Shock
Shock can happen to anyone in an emergency situation, and can be life
threatening. You can tell if someone is in shock if:
They are irritable,
restless or their consciousness seems altered
They appear pale
Their skin is cool to the
touch
Their pulse is racing
Their breathing is rapid
They are nauseous or
vomiting
they have a blue hue at
their fingers or lips
If you think someone is in shock, provide the following treatment:
Check, call, care
Monitor their breathing
Control bleeding, if any
Help the victim from becoming
too chilled or overheated (blankets, air conditioning, etc.)
Do not give them food or
drink
Keep them talking – this
helps you evaluate their mental and physical state