Removal of turnouts and cooling of burned firefighters

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Permalink Reply by John K. Murphy on January 13, 2010 at 9:53am

Doug

The simple way: Remove the firefighter from the burning environment; cool the clothing with a hose stream immediately after the firefighter is removed as any trapped heat or flaming clothing continues the burning process (you may create a little steam inside the bunker clothing but the long term effect is positive); pull off or cut off the affected clothing; continue to pour cool water on the burned area. Don't worry about infection at this time as the subsequent treatment will take care of any infectious process. Cover the burn area with sterile drapes or large trauma pads, cover the firefighter with a blanket to prevent hypothermia and transport to a hospital - a burn center is preferable but initially any hospital will do. If the clothing is stuck to the burn site, cut around it, cool with water, cover the area, cover the firefighter and transport.

If the burns involve the airway - these injuries require immediate treatment and transport. O2 should be applied, if paramedics are available, intubation may be required and the firefighter needs immediate hospital attention.

Pain relief - burns hurt like hell. If paramedics are available they should give lots of morphine or give enough until the pain is tolerable. They should also start an IV for fluid replacement and pain management. Cover the area to prevent the nerve endings from the air. DO NOT APPLY ointments or gels. Those will have to be removed at the hospital and it adds to the trauma of the burn.

Hope this little bit of information helps. Be safe

John

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Permalink Reply by P.J. Norwood on January 13, 2010 at 9:58am

Doug, Contact Jason Emory or Frank Ricci through this community. Within the last few months there was an insert in FE print magazize "Doffing Super Heated Turn Out Gear".

I have it posted in my training center. I will see if I can make a copy of it and send it to you.

P.J.

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Permalink Reply by P.J. Norwood on January 13, 2010 at 10:02am

As far as cooling the burned FF.

Our EMS units all carry Water Gel; http://www.waterjel.com/

I have used this first hand as a Paramedic for many years with GREAT success. It's a BLS skill and the only product that I have seen instant cooling and pain relief. Your local protocols should dictate the percentage of burned area that they will allow you to cool. the rule of thumb is no more then 10% as you can cause hypothermia.

Hope this helps,
'
Stay Safe.

P.J.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Lasich on January 13, 2010 at 4:28pm

Training minutes; Season 3, Doffing Super Heated Gear.

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