Burns: What to Do Outdoors

Burns: What to Do Outdoors

Burns are one of the injuries that outdoor groups should be prepared for.

Campfires, camping stoves, barbecues, hot cooking equipment and boiling water can all cause burns.

Even a small accident can result in a painful injury.

The good news is that basic first aid for burns is straightforward, provided you know what to do.

The most important thing to remember is:

Cool the burn with cool running water as soon as possible.

What Causes Burns Outdoors?

There are several common causes of burns during outdoor activities.

Campfires

Someone may accidentally touch hot equipment, fall against the edge of a fire area or come into contact with hot embers.

Camping stoves

Stoves and their cookware can become extremely hot.

Hot water

Boiling water used for drinks or cooking can cause serious scalds.

Cooking

Hot pans, grills, ovens and cooking equipment can all cause burns.

Hot surfaces

Metal equipment can remain hot for a considerable time after a fire or stove has been extinguished.

Sun exposure

Sunburn is also a type of burn, although the first aid and prevention considerations are somewhat different from those for a thermal burn.

🔥 LEADER TIP

“The fire is out” doesn’t necessarily mean everything is cool.

Ashes, embers, cookware, metal fire grates and stones can remain dangerously hot after visible flames have disappeared.

The First Thing to Do

If someone has suffered a burn, think about safety before first aid.

1. Stop the source of the burn

Move the person away from the heat or danger if you can do so safely.

Don’t put yourself at risk trying to rescue someone from a dangerous fire.

2. Remove jewellery and restrictive items

If safe to do so, remove items such as:

• Rings
• Watches
• Bracelets
• Tight clothing

Do this before swelling develops.

However, don’t pull away anything that is stuck to the skin.

3. Cool the burn

Hold the affected area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

This is one of the most important steps in treating a fresh burn.

How to Cool a Burn Outdoors

This can be more challenging when you’re camping.

You may not have a tap immediately available.

If running water isn’t available, use whatever safe source of clean, cool water you have available while arranging proper first aid.

The aim is to cool the affected area rather than making the person cold.

If possible, continue cooling with cool running water for 20 minutes.

💧 REMEMBER

Cool water — not ice.

Ice can damage the skin and may make the injury worse.

What Should You NOT Put on a Burn?

There are lots of traditional home remedies for burns.

Don’t use them.

Avoid putting things such as:

• Ice
• Butter
• Cooking oil
• Toothpaste
• Creams
• Flour
• Grease
• Adhesive dressings directly onto the burn

These aren’t appropriate treatments for a fresh burn.

The priority is:

Cool the burn.

Then protect it and assess whether medical help is needed.

What About Burn Blisters?

Burns can blister.

If a blister develops:

Don’t deliberately burst it.

The skin provides a natural protective barrier.

If a blister breaks accidentally, protect the area appropriately and seek medical advice if necessary.

Covering the Burn

Once the burn has been cooled, it can be protected with a suitable sterile, non-fluffy dressing or appropriate burn dressing.

A clean, non-stick covering can help protect the injury from dirt and further irritation.

Don’t wrap a dressing tightly around a swollen area.

If you aren’t sure what dressing to use, follow the advice provided in your first-aid training or seek medical assistance.

🩹 OUTDOOR FIRST-AID KIT

For groups spending time around fires and cooking equipment, consider including appropriate burn dressings in the first-aid kit.

Leaders should know where the first-aid kit is kept and how to use the equipment inside it.

When Is a Burn Serious?

Not every burn requires an ambulance, but some burns need urgent medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical help for burns that are:

• Large or extensive
• Deep
• White, charred or leathery
• Causing significant swelling
• On the face
• On the hands
• Around major joints
• On the genitals
• Circumferential around a limb
• Associated with difficulty breathing
• Caused by electricity
• Caused by chemicals
• Associated with significant smoke inhalation

Also seek medical advice if you’re unsure about the severity of a burn, particularly when the injured person is a child.

What About Children?

Children can be particularly vulnerable to burns and scalds.

A relatively small amount of hot liquid can cause a significant injury to a child.

If a child suffers a burn, take it seriously and seek medical advice when appropriate.

For Scout leaders, it’s important to follow your organisation’s first-aid procedures and safeguarding arrangements.

Don’t assume that a burn is minor simply because the affected area looks small.

Electrical Burns

Electrical injuries are different from ordinary contact burns.

The electricity can cause internal injuries that aren’t immediately visible.

If someone has suffered an electrical burn:

Don’t touch them while they’re still in contact with the electrical source.

Make sure the power source is safely disconnected before approaching.

Then assess the casualty and seek appropriate medical assistance.

Electrical injuries should receive medical assessment even if the external burn appears relatively minor.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns require particular care.

The priority is to remove the person from the source and prevent further exposure, while following appropriate emergency guidance.

Brush off dry chemicals carefully if appropriate before flushing, but don’t put yourself at risk of exposure.

Remove contaminated clothing where safe to do so.

Flush the affected area thoroughly with plenty of water and seek medical assistance.

If a chemical has entered someone’s eye, treat it as an emergency and begin flushing with clean water while arranging urgent medical help.

🧪 IMPORTANT

Don’t attempt to neutralise a chemical burn with another chemical.

You could create another hazardous reaction or cause additional injury.

Burns From Campfires

Campfires are one of the most obvious outdoor sources of burns.

A few simple precautions can dramatically reduce the risk.

Establish a clear fire area

Everyone should know where they can and cannot go.

Keep seating at a sensible distance

People shouldn’t need to lean over flames to reach the fire.

Keep loose clothing away

Scarves, loose sleeves and other clothing can catch fire.

Keep children supervised

Young people shouldn’t be allowed to play around fires.

Keep hot equipment identifiable

Don’t leave hot pans, tools or other equipment somewhere someone might accidentally touch them.

Extinguish fires properly

Don’t assume a fire is safe simply because the flames have disappeared.

Burns From Camping Stoves

Camping stoves can cause both burns and fires.

Before using one:

And remember that fuel containers themselves can present additional hazards.

What If Clothing Catches Fire?

This is an emergency.

If someone’s clothing catches fire, they need to be prevented from running around, because movement can feed the flames.

The commonly taught principle is:

Stop, drop and roll.

Once the flames are out, cool any burns with cool running water and seek appropriate medical assistance.

If you’re working with young people, this is something worth teaching before a fire-related activity takes place.

A Simple Burn First-Aid Sequence

For a straightforward thermal burn, remember:

1. Remove

Remove the person from the source of heat.

2. Cool

Cool the burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

3. Remove jewellery

Take off rings, watches and similar items if they aren’t stuck.

4. Cover

Protect the burn with a suitable sterile, non-fluffy dressing.

5. Assess

Consider the size, depth and location of the burn.

6. Get help

Seek medical assistance when the burn is serious or you’re unsure about it.

🧠 EASY TO REMEMBER

REMOVE → COOL → COVER → CHECK

Get away from the heat, cool the injury, protect it and check whether further medical help is needed.

What Should Be in a Scout First-Aid Kit?

A first-aid kit for an outdoor group should be appropriate for the activities being undertaken.

Depending on the group and activity, useful supplies can include:

• Sterile dressings
• Non-adherent dressings
• Bandages
• Plasters
• Disposable gloves
• Sterile wipes
• Appropriate burn dressings
• Scissors
• First-aid tape

The exact contents should be based on your risk assessment, activities, group size and first-aid arrangements.

Preventing Burns Outdoors

The best treatment for a burn is not getting burned in the first place.

Before lighting a fire or stove, consider:

Where is it?

Is it in a suitable location?

Who is nearby?

Could someone accidentally walk into it?

What’s the weather doing?

Could wind spread flames or embers?

What’s around it?

Are there tents, dry vegetation or other combustible materials nearby?

How will it be extinguished?

Do you have the appropriate means to put it out?

What happens afterwards?

Have you allowed equipment to cool before packing it away?

Teaching Scouts About Burns

Burn first aid can make an excellent short activity during a wider outdoor skills session.

Ask Scouts:

“You’ve just burned your hand on a hot pan. What’s the first thing you do?”

Then work through the answer.

You can also give them scenarios:

Scenario 1

Someone touches a hot cooking pan.

What do you do?

Scenario 2

Someone spills boiling water on their leg.

What changes?

Scenario 3

Someone’s sleeve catches fire.

What do you do?

Scenario 4

A Scout has a burn but is reluctant to tell anyone.

Why is it important to speak up?

This helps turn first aid into a practical decision-making skill.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Putting ice on the burn

Use cool running water instead.

❌ Applying butter or toothpaste

These aren’t appropriate treatments for a fresh burn.

❌ Removing stuck clothing

Don’t pull material that’s adhered to the skin.

❌ Breaking blisters

Leave them intact.

❌ Ignoring a burn because it looks small

Severity isn’t determined by size alone.

❌ Forgetting about jewellery

Remove rings and similar items early if safe.

❌ Assuming an extinguished fire is cold

Hot embers and equipment can remain dangerous.

❌ Trying to be a hero

Don’t put yourself at risk to rescue someone from a fire or other dangerous situation.

Fire Safety and First Aid Go Together

For Scout leaders, burns are a good reminder that fire safety and first aid shouldn’t be treated as completely separate subjects.

Before a campfire activity, think about:

What could go wrong?

How are we preventing it?

What would we do if someone was burned?

Where is the first-aid kit?

Who is responsible for first aid?

How would we get additional help?

Having these answers before something happens is much better than trying to work them out during an emergency.

Final Thoughts

Burns are a realistic risk around campfires, camping stoves and outdoor cooking, but good preparation can significantly reduce the chances of an accident becoming serious.

For Scouts and outdoor groups, the key lessons are simple:

Keep fires controlled.

Keep people at a safe distance.

Treat hot equipment with respect.

Know where the first-aid kit is.

And if someone does suffer a burn:

Cool it with cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

Don’t rely on old-fashioned remedies.

Don’t underestimate a serious-looking injury.

And when in doubt, get medical help.

🔥 THE BIG IDEA

Fire safety prevents burns. First aid limits the damage when they happen.

Every outdoor group that uses fires, stoves or cooking equipment should understand both.

🔗 Related Survival Guides UK Articles

• First Aid Basics: What to Do When Someone Is Injured
• Fire Safety
• Fire Maintenance
• Extinguishing Fires
• 10 Fire Safety Games for Scouts