(5) Vascular system. The patient may become unresponsive, appear white
and mottled, have cool arms and legs, and lose pulses. If the injury is moderate, the
condition will correct itself quickly. In severe cases, the blood will coagulate, and
tissues in the arms and legs may die, leading to eventual amputation. The patient may
have renal failure.
c. Treatment for Lightning Injury. Follow this procedure given below.
(1)
Assess breathing and circulation.
(2) Start CPR immediately if there is no pulse. Victims of lightning have
been resuscitated as long as thirty minutes after the strike without any residual damage.
(3) If the injury occurred in an open area, move the patient to a protected
area to reduce the chance of a second strike. If a group of people have been struck by
lightning, disregard normal triage procedure and care for the apparently dead first.
Those who display vital signs will probably recover spontaneously.
(4)
Survey the scene and assess what happened.
(5)
Get a brief history if witnesses are available.
(6)
Stabilize the patient's neck.
(7)
Check the patient's skin color.
(8)
If the patient is conscious, check movement in his extremities.
(9)
Determine the patient's reaction to pain.
(10) Examine the patient for open wounds or fractures and provide
appropriate care.
(12) Start an IV with D5W.
3-6.
CHEMICAL INJURIES
a. General. Chemical burns, as previously mentioned, are caused when the
skin comes in contact with a caustic substance, a substance capable of burning,
corroding, or destroying living tissue. Such substances include acids, alkalis, white
phosphorus, and napalm. The depth of a chemical burn depends on how strong the
chemical is and how long the chemical has been in contact with skin. If the chemical
contains phosphorus, glowing particles may be seen on the casualty's skin. Burning will
continue as long as the chemical is on the skin.
MD0576
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