St John Ambulance Report

Burns and Scalds.

Burns may come from a variety of sources, hot water, fireplaces, chemical or electrical burns, or industrial burns where bitumen may be involved. Sunburn can be a particularly nasty burn. Please remember to be sun smart, especially with our children, how our children treat themselves now, can have long term effects on general health.

WHAT TO DO:

If clothing is burning, STOP, DROP and ROLL, pull casualty to the ground, roll around the ground and cover with a blanket or jacket until flames are extinguished.

If casualty has suffered a scald from hot liquid, remove damp clothing immediately.

Cool running water is the best thing you can do to help a burn casualty.

AVOID lotions, ointments, or other old wife’s tales, such as butter, run cool running water over the burn for 20 minutes, cool running water is the best treatment.

Remove any items of jewellery or clothing from the burn area UNLESS the item is stuck to the burn area. AVOID touching the burn area, DO NOT burst blisters.

Cover burns with a non-adherent dressing, cling film, a wet clean dressing, we want to avoid having the burn exposed, which will decrease the risk of infection.

Seek Medical Assistance When:

The burn is deep, it may not be painful, but it is serious.

When the burn area is significant, larger than a 20-cent piece.

Whenever a burn involves airways, face, hands, or genitals.

When you are unsure, St. John Ambulance and NIHRACS are here to help

If patient shows no signs of improvement or if the patient becomes unconscious, call triple zero (000) for the ambulance.

For the full copy of the fact sheet, visit link www.stjohnnsw.com.au/first-aid-facts

If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information, please email norfolk.island@stjohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au