New Acid Attack Guidelines for Colleges

It has been announced by the NHS England and the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) that new guidelines have been issued for first aid and treatment of acid attacks. Acid attacks in the UK are sadly increasing and the level of demand for first aid and treatment of severe burns caused by chemical substances is on the rise.

Data suggests that the number of patients being affected by such attacks will continue to increase in 2017. Such attacks can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any time so it is essential that you understand exactly how to provide emergency first aid treatment.

Speaking about the new guidelines, first aid training providers, CE Safety said “Businesses should provide updated first aid training to their staff so that they’re prepared for the possibility of an acid attack. By understanding how to prevent further burns and how to provide emergency first aid, you could help to save someone’s sight and even their life.” 

Businesses, schools, colleges, airports and other public facing companies should all take the new guidelines into consideration and ensure that their staff understand how to protect themselves whilst providing medical treatment as well as how to quickly prevent further burns to the patient.

The primary goal of the new advice is to help victims of acid attacks get the right help as soon as possible by raising awareness of the importance of calling 999 immediately after an acid attack.

The level of demand for first aid and treatment of severe burns caused by chemical substances is on the rise and data suggests that the number of patients being affected by such attacks will continue to increase in 2017.

Acid attacks are classed as attacks involving corrosive substances, causing significant harm to individuals which are often life changing or in some cases lethal. The NHS estimates that the average medical bill for a victim of an acid attack is around £34,500. With this figure in mind not to mention the serious and detrimental affects an acid attack can have on an individual and their loved ones, the new guidelines encourage those who witness an acid attack to Report, Remove and Rinse.

Report- as soon as you see an acid attack taking place, call the emergency services and let them know your location and what has or is currently happening.

Remove- to prevent further burns to the victim, remove their clothing making sure to protect yourself with material wrapped around your hands so that you don’t come into contact with the substance. If scissors are available, use them to cut away the clothing rather than try to pull t-shirts over their heads to remove as this can cause pools of the acid to distribute to other unaffected parts of their body.

Rinse- to remove acid from the eyes, use water and protect the other eye if it is not affected. Rinse the eye and inner eyelids as much as possible to remove the chemical.

CE Safety added, “We hope that the new guidelines can be rolled out to businesses and schools as they should be fully prepared and aware of the first aid guidelines on how to safely treat a victim of an acid attack.”

For first aid training and courses please contact CE Safety