help arrived. “I credit what I
burned area.
newspaper, wooden slats or
did with being in the military,”
4. Raise burned areas above the
other materials to surround
says Satvir. The man survived.
level of the heart if possible.
the limb, providing support to
Monitor victim and proceed
keep the bones from moving
Burns are classified as
with steps for CPR if needed.
(see illustration below). If the
first-second- and third-degree
5. Protect the victim from
limb is crooked from the
(most severe). These rules
draughts and keep the victim
break, splint it that way rather
apply to mild to moderate
dry.
than straightening it. 2. Use rope, twine, tape, a belt,
burns:
Injured Limb
T-shirt or other materials to
1. Running cool water over a
For first aid, it is not very
secure the splint. Be sure the
burn may alleviate some of the
important to know whether an
splint is held snugly nut not
pain.
injury is a break or a sprain. If
too tight: You should be able to
2. Mild burns creams. Don’t
the body part is swollen and
slip a finger comfortably
use butter.
painful, assume the worst.
between the binding and the splint.
3. Any burn that encircles a body part (such as a wrist or
1. Call a doctor. Have the
3. Do not allow the victim to
finger), or any significant burn
victim lie down or get in a
put weight on the limb during
to the face, should be evaluated
comfortable position.
transport.
by a physician.
2. Don’t try to straighten or set
4. Cover burns with sterile
the bone, or put weight on the
Bleeding
bandages to keep them clean
limb.
The big news is that the
and dry.
3. Place an ice pack on the
experts no longer recommend
5. If blisters form, don’t open
injury, with a clean cloth
that laymen use tourniquets to
them.
between the skin and the ice
treat blood loss. Tourniquets
pack.
can do a tot of harm- increased
For extensive or deep (third-degree) burns, take the following steps:
4. Remove the ice pack every
bleeding, paralysis-and are
20 minutes for 5 minutes.
often unnecessary.
1. Call a doctor.
1. Call a doctor. Place a clean
3. Cover the burns by placing a
Comfort the victim. If you’re in a remote area with no help on the way, you can transport the victim improvising a splint:
clean sheet or blanket over the
1. Use a pillow, foam pad, thick
that it is higher than the heart.
2. Do not move the victim unless he’s still in danger. Don’t try to remove victim’s clothing.
14
cloth or bandage directly against the source of the bleeding and press firmly. 2. If the bleeding occurs on a limb, raise the body part so