corned_beef

So I was messing around with a soldering iron and some LEDs, and i picked up the hot metal end like a pencil. OWWWWWWWW.

Its all happened to one of us. Acidentally leaning on the cooker, spilling a kettle, you know the story. But the best thing is to know some precautions and what to do when it does happen.

so:

1. Be aware. If the soldering iron is on, look at it before you pick it up. Always know where the danger is. You will forget about things that visually don't look hot, like irons, electric hobs ect, compared to an open flame.

2. Common sense. Don't have it balanced on the table where it could fall off and burn a hole through your leg. Just like you wouldn't have a bath and dry your hair.

3. Work within your limits. You don't have three hands, so don't try and pretend you do. Small vices/clamps are always helpfull, but metal are best, as you would melt a plastic one.

4. Ask for help. Some one will hold something for a second if you ask them to right? That way, you have four hands - but twice the amount to get burnt. Make sur they know what they're doing too.

5. Prepare. You don't want to reach for something and lose concetration of where the soldering iron is, or worse, accidentally knock it on to yourself.

But... If you do get burnt theres some stuff to do.

Run the burn under cold water. This takes the heat out of the proteins in the skin, stopping them from futher creating heat when breaking down and damaging other protein molecules.

Burns are classed by the severity:

1st degree burns (most likely from a soldering burn):
These usually only effects the surface of the skin. A minor sunburn is considered a first degree burn.
Run under cold water for 5 minutes at a time. At least 10-15 mnutes in necessary.
Be careful not to let the area become numb. This could also be damaging to the burn and surrounding tissues. Pain relievers such as aspirin or acetaminophen can be used to help alleviate any discomfort.

2nd degree burns (I think this is what i got. But mild. I held it for a good second):
A second degree burn is very painful and is deeper than a first degree burn. A second degree burn can be identified by skin that is separating or blistering. It is recommended that the burn victim attains medical help if a second degree burn is on the hands or face.
Located in these areas a burn of this severity may affect the use of the hand or the appearance of the face. A severe second degree burn can cause dehydration.
Run under cold water for at least an hour or more.
The patient should drink plenty of fluids to prevent this from happening. Acetaminophen or aspirin is also recommended to help relieve the pain of a second degree burn.

3rd degree burn (Probably will only happen if you purposely held the iron for a couple of seconds): A third degree burn should always be treated by a doctor. When the skin is this severely burned all of the layers of the skin are destroyed. There is no pain with a third degree burn because the nerves in the skin are also destroyed. There is significant danger of infection and dehydration, and hospitalization is usually necessary.

Thanks to this page for the first aid burn information:http://ia.essortment.com/treatingburnss_rdvm.htm

After, don't feel stupid. Don't let it put you off having fun with electronics. You'll probably never do it again. And if you do, next time you'll be prepared.

(I wrote this whole FAQ with one hand :) )

overclockeraus

lol ive burnt my self once in electronics class..

Kipper

second degreee burn do not always requrie medical attention.

nice faq but on the end part, part a note about puttin the burnt put into running cold water for at least 10 min if its a first degree, and up to a few hours if it is a second degree (this is where those w/c pumps come in handy). so if someone here burns themselves, theyd know what to do....

corned_beef

Cheers. Put more detail into them. I would put pictures, but i think that would be too gross.

--Filip--

YOu could always buy ColdHeat ;)

I've burned myself so many tmies. Never very badly though. I remember my dad put his forearm (wearing a track jacket) on my 10W iron and it melted his jacket somewhat lol.

SpartnChief

There are actually 4th, 5th, and 6th degree burns too...

BUt i don't think we really need to worry about them.

legoman786

I thought it was the other way around?? I thought 1st was the most severe! I'm lost...

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gonX

I once burned myself on a oven plate. I had a scar from it for like 4 years.

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TeLu1

DONT BUY COLDHEAT! I REPEAT, BIG RIPPOFF! Read some reviews aboutit, because I got one from Home Depot for 20$ and the only good thing that came out of it was the solder, the wirestripers and the batterys. http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4623

This is a nice FAQ. Its been less than 1 month since I did what you did. But all I did was put about 6 band-aids (2 per finger) and let them sit there for 2 days, took them off and than popped the blisters, let them sit for 1 day, and 3 days later i had just a lil mark. I got the thumb, index and middle finger good. Especially the index.

Gandalf

Another thing that you should mention: NEVER use tripple antibiotic ointment on a burn - one of the antibiotics contained is extremely harmful to burns.

Also, with a second degree burn, it's best not to pop the blisters if possible, as the blisters keep the wound steril.

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