How to Treat a Burn in the Wilderness

Burns are among the most painful and dangerous of soft tissue injuries. Quick and thorough treatment is of the essence.

Things You'll Need

• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Cotton Swabs
• First Aid Kits
• Gauze
• Ibuprofen
• Irrigation Syringe

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove the source of the burn: For flame burns, stop, drop and roll; for wet chemical burns, flush the area with water for 20 minutes; for dry chemical burns, brush off the dry chemicals.

• 2

  Remove any clothing and jewelry, since they retain heat and can exacerbate burning.

• 3

  Check airway, breathing and circulation. Treat with rescue breathing and/or CPR as necessary (see Related eHows).

• 4

  Cool the burn with cold (but warmer than ice-cold) water, or with cloths dampened with cold water.

• 5

  Assess the depth and extent of the burn (see "How to Assess a Burn Injury").

• 6

  Elevate the burn site above the heart.

• 7

  Have the injured person drink as much as possible, unless he or she is unconscious and/or showing signs of shock.

• 8

  Clean the burn area gently with disinfected lukewarm water and mild soap. Pat dry, and flush any debris out with an irrigation syringe. Pat dry again.

• 9

  Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the burn site with a cotton swab.

• 10

  Cover the burn with dry, sterile gauze.

• 11

  Give ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.

• 12

  Evacuate unless only minor superficial burns are involved.

• 13

  Re-dress the burn twice a day on the way out: Remove the dressing (which may require soaking it first), rewash the burn site, reapply antibiotic ointment and re-dress with gauze.