Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

7 Bleeding, Wound Care and Trauma

An electrical burn injury occurs where the electricity enters (entrance wound) and exits (exit wound) the body. The entrance wound can be quite small but the exit wound can be extensive and deep. Always look for both an entrance and exit wound. Since cardiac and respiratory arrest can occur from an electrical shock or after a lighting strike, the first aider must be prepared to give CPR and use an AED. CPR may need to be quite prolonged in the case of electrical burns, but the success rate is high if started promptly. All electrical burns are possible severe injuries and require prompt treatment in a hospital.

First aid for electrical burns • If CPR or defibrillation is not required, monitor the patient closely for cardiac or respiratory arrest and call 911 • Treat soft tissue injuries by applying dry sterile dressings on all burn wounds • Splint any suspected fractures (See Chapter 8, Muscle, bone, and joint injury) Thermal Burns Thermal burns are caused by heat, as opposed to chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Many different situations can result in a thermal burn, posing a hazard to the first aider. An open flame and superheated liquids are the most common causes of thermal burns.

Electrical Burn (entry wound)

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