First Aid Training in Croydon | Gillett Training Services
Many first aid training courses we provide individuals and businesses throughout the Croydon area cover what to do in the case of a burn. After all, hot liquids are almost ubiquitous (teas and coffees in takeaway cups and flasks, for example) in most settings, and many premises have ovens, cookers or use chemical cleaning products capable of producing nasty burns if mishandled. The sensitivity of children to burns, due to their skin often being more sensitive and thinner than adults’, make it a good inclusion in paediatric first aid training and first aid for schools programs, as well as emergency first aid training and first aid at work programs.
Treating a Burn
The research points to a simple and clear solution for burn treatment: run the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes. Previously, it was thought that 10 minutes was sufficient, but this advice was re-informed by an Australian study completed in 2019. Now, the NHS and British Burn Association all urge the full 20 minutes. Croydon residents may have also heard of another key part of burn treatment covered in most first aid training courses – including our paediatric first aid training, first aid for schools programs, emergency first aid training and first aid at work programs – which is to remove loose clothing and jewellery around the burn site. Do not, however, under any circumstances, remove anything stuck to the burn.
Another important bit of advice is not to use ice or ice water. Simple cool water between 2-15 degrees Celsius will provide a number of benefits:
- Reduced wound depth
- Shorter time to wound re-epithelialisation
- Less chance of a hospital stay
- Better results if grafting / scar management are required
Seeking Further Assistance
After the full 20 minutes, wrap the burn in cling film. If the burn is a serious one, it’s worth visiting A&E at this point as research shows no further benefit will be had after 20 mins. What defines a serious burn?
- The injured is an infant/child
- The burn is bigger than a 50 pence coin
- The burn has charred or turned the skin white
- The burn site is the face, perineum, hands or feet
- The burn is blistering
- The burn was caused by electricity/chemicals
Keep in mind that immediate attention should be sought if:
- There are other injuries in addition to the burn
- The patient is in shock
- The injured is pregnant, over 60 years old or under 5 years old
But what if it’s a fairly minor, but particularly painful burn? In the kinds of kits we show Croydon students how to assemble as part of our first aid training courses, you’ll have pain killers that can be used to treat the pain before further medical attention is sought out. These kits drawn up during paediatric first aid training, first aid for schools programs, emergency first aid training and first aid at work courses may also feature hydrogels.
But generally speaking, hydrogels are a fairly specific treatment and can often have adverse or simply no effects in regards to healing – stick to cold running water and cling film before considering whether a hydrogel might be beneficial, and only ever use it in addition to cold water, never as a substitute.
There is a huge difference between reading about something online and getting first-hand experience, overseen by trained professionals. So consider our first aid training courses, such as paediatric first aid training, first aid for schools programs, emergency first aid training and first aid training at work, should you be in Croydon and looking to really get a handle on dealing with these situations.