How to Assess a Burn Injury
- 1). Look at the burn site: If the skin is red and painful but there are no blisters, chances are it's a superficial burn.
- 2). Look for blistering and wetness and ask about degree of pain. If blistering is present and pain is severe, the burn is probably partial-thickness.
- 3). Consider a full-thickness burn if the injured person reports no pain, or just a dull pain, in the center of the burned area. The skin may also look charred and grayish in color.
- 4). Look at the injured person's palm: The surface area of the palm represents approximately 1 percent of the person's TBSA (total body surface area).
- 5). Compare this area to the extent of the burn to arrive at a TBSA figure. Burns covering more than 15 percent TBSA are life-threatening, especially partial- and full-thickness burns.
- 6). Continue with treatment for the burn (see "How to Treat a Burn in the Wilderness").
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