Consider these factors when assessing the criticality of a burn:

a. Irregular Burn Distribution.

To estimate burns that are irregularly distributed, use the fact that one surface of a casualty’s hand represents about one percent of his body surface.

b. Burns Over 15 Percent of the Body surface.

Patients with burns of more than 15 percent of the body surface typically require some resuscitative treatment. These patients are best cared for in a hospital.

c. Location of the Burn.

Burns of the face, hands, feet, or genitalia need immediate treatment. Small burns on these areas may require hospitalization, even if these limited areas are the only sites of burn injury. Transport such patients to a medical treatment facility.

d. Configuration of the Burn.

A burn which surrounds a body part may completely cut off circulation due to tissues swelling. For example, neck burns can result in airway obstruction and chest burns can cause breathing difficulty.

e. Complicating Medical Problems.

Circulatory problems such as diabetes and peripheral vascular disease affect burns.

f. Patient Age.

Young adults tolerate thermal injury best. Those under four years and over 60 years of age have more complications and a greater mortality rate for the same extent of burn that a young adult survives.

g. Severity of Injury.

The percent of burn and the depth of burn determine the severity of burn injury. Usually, burns covering more than 20 percent of the body surface are life-threatening. Burns covering more than 30 percent of the body surface are usually fatal to adults without immediate treatment.