⚠️ MedDeck is an educational and reference tool for seafarers. It does not replace professional medical advice, TMAS, a company doctor, or emergency services. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical assistance and follow your vessel's procedures.
EM-013
Serious burns
Serious burns need the burning process stopped safely, basic care, and medical escalation.
What should I do first?
- Stop the burning process when safely possible
- Ensure scene safety
- Cool the affected area appropriately where indicated and safe to do so
- Protect the injury with clean covering if available
- Assess for serious burns and other associated injuries
- Seek medical assistance when severity, location, or mechanism warrants it
What this may look like
- Burn from heat, flame, steam, chemical, or electrical source
- Blistering, severe pain, or charred skin in serious cases
- Burns to sensitive areas such as face, hands, joints, or large body areas
- Associated injury or breathing irritation in some cases
What should I check?
- Source of burn and whether exposure has stopped
- Size, location, and depth appearance without detailed classification
- Breathing irritation or other injuries
- Change in pain or condition
What should I avoid?
- Using ice directly on burns
- Removing stuck clothing or breaking blisters unnecessarily
- Applying unapproved substances without medical direction
- Creating complex burn classification or treatment protocols onboard
When should I get medical assistance?
- For serious burns, sensitive locations, chemical/electrical mechanisms, or concerning symptoms
- For dangerous-goods exposure, follow vessel MFAG and approved procedures and seek professional assistance
- Contact your vessel's designated medical assistance/TMAS service according to vessel procedures
What information should I prepare for TMAS / medical assistance?
- Burn source and time of injury
- Location and approximate area affected
- Cooling or dressing already applied
- Associated symptoms or injuries
- Vessel position and communications details required by procedure
Related topics
Related equipment
Important safety note
- Chemical-specific treatment is not covered here — use MFAG and vessel procedures for dangerous goods
⚠️ MedDeck is an educational and reference tool for seafarers. It does not replace professional medical advice, TMAS, a company doctor, or emergency services. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical assistance and follow your vessel's procedures.
MEDDECK
Before you continue
⚠️ MedDeck is an educational and reference tool for seafarers. It does not replace professional medical advice, TMAS, a company doctor, or emergency services. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical assistance and follow your vessel's procedures.