What is the first step in burn care according to the provided procedures?

The first step in burn care is to stop the burning process. This is crucial because continuing exposure to the source of the burn can exacerbate the injury and cause further damage to the skin and underlying tissues. By immediately halting the burning process—whether it involves removing a patient from the source of the burn, extinguishing flames, or cooling the burn area with water—you address the immediate threat and prevent additional injury.

Once the burning process has been stopped, it becomes appropriate to move on to the next steps of burn care, which might include assessing for inhalation injuries, administering pain relief, and covering the burn with sterile dressings. Each subsequent step is important for managing the injury and promoting healing, but the priority is always to first make sure that no more harm can occur.