Page 4 - BOOK V Unit 5

FIRST-AID TREATMENT
1 Place burns under cool running water, especially within the first
ten minutes. The cool water stops the burning process and
reduces the pain and swelling.
2 Dry the burnt area gently with a clean cloth.
3 Remove any clothes using scissors if necessary, unless you see
the fabric sticking to the burnt skin.
4 Cover the burnt area with a loose clean cloth. Applying oil to
the injured areas is a bad idea, as it will keep the heat in the
wounds and may cause infection.
5 If burns are on the face, make sure the victim can still breathe.
6 If the victim is suffering from second or third-degree burns,
there is an urgent need to take him/her to the hospital at once.

3 Read again and decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

1 Your skin gives you protection from many dangerous things. T F
2 A first-degree burn has this name because it is the most serious. T F
3 Second-degree burns can be the most painful kind of burn. T F
4 It is important to use cool water to stop the heat from remaining in the
wound regardless of the degree of the burn. T F
5 Putting butter or oil on burns helps because it may reduce swelling and
ease discomfort. T F

4 Complete the table to summarise the information about first aid for burns.

Types
Details
First-degree burns Second-degree burns Third-degree burns

of the of the of the
skin skin skin and sometimes
Depth

underneath

dry, red, and mildly red and swollen; black and white; swollen;
; mildly ; can often
Characteristics ; turn be seen; little or no pain if
when surface; extremely are
pressed damaged

place under within the first ten minutes
the burnt area clothes the burn
Treatment
burn on the face: make sure the victim can second or
third-degree burn: take the victim to

5 In groups, discuss the following questions.

1 How are people most likely to get burnt?
2 What steps can be taken to help prevent these burns?
3 What other advice do you know of about first aid for burns?
Is it good advice or bad advice? Why?

UNIT 5 FIRST AID 51