How should you manage a casualty with severe burns?

Managing a casualty with severe burns requires immediate and appropriate action to minimize further injury and promote healing. Covering the burns with sterile dressings is essential as it helps protect the affected area from infection and further trauma. Sterile dressings can also aid in pain management by keeping the area clean and covered, reducing exposure to air, which can exacerbate pain and discomfort.

Additionally, providing airway support if necessary is critical. Severe burns often come with the risk of inhalation injuries, particularly in cases of burns associated with smoke or airway exposure to hot gases. Monitoring and ensuring that the casualty can breathe adequately is a top priority in burn management.

Leaving the area exposed to air can lead to increased pain and risk of infection, while applying ice directly to burns can cause further tissue damage and complicate recovery. Giving fluids orally is also inappropriate for a patient with severe burns due to potential nausea, vomiting, or the risk of aspiration, particularly if airway management has not been fully secured. Therefore, the approach of covering the burns with sterile dressings and providing necessary airway support is the best practice for managing severe burn injuries.