Page 4 - Book V Unit 5
P. 4

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
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