When treating a chemical burn, what is the minimum amount of time you should flood the burned area?
• Chemical burns vs. thermal (heat) burns and why treatment time is different • The goal of flooding/irrigation: dilute and remove the chemical, not just cool the skin • Guidance from standard first-aid training used in maritime courses (e.g., prolonged flushing time)
• Ask yourself: which option allows enough time to thoroughly wash away a strong chemical, not just give quick relief? • Think about how long it takes running water to dilute and carry away chemicals that may be trapped in clothing, hair, or skin folds. • Compare the choices: which is clearly a "prolonged" irrigation period that safety manuals emphasize for chemicals?
• Confirm that chemical burns generally require longer flushing times than minor heat burns. • Eliminate options that seem more like a quick rinse than a thorough decontamination. • Ask: Which time period would most likely be written in a first aid manual as a minimum for continuous flushing of a chemical burn?
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