Burns occur when excessive dry heat damages the skin. There are three different types of Burns a casualty can have:

• 1st degree (Superficial): Red, dry skin (e.g. sunburn, brief scald)
• 2nd degree (Partial Thickness): Blistering (e.g. oil burn)
• 3rd degree (Full Thickness): Skin damage to fat/muscle, possibly exposing bone

Akmal stressed, “If someone has a burn and it’s not properly described – size, depth, cause – treatment could be delayed by hours. That delay can make all the difference.”

Working in a pair, we practised bandaging a burn to the hand—one of the most common areas to get injured when cooking or handling hot objects. To protect the burnt area and prevent the fingers from sticking together, we placed a pen between the index and middle finger. Bandages were then gently padded on either side of the pen before wrapping the entire hand. Akmal explained that this simple but effective method keeps the fingers separated and supported, while minimising further damage. It was a hands-on reminder (literally) of how even small actions can aid recovery and comfort.