Burns and Thermal Injuries in Combat

Burns in combat settings are high-stakes medical emergencies that demand immediate, structured response under resource-constrained, high-threat conditions. Often occurring in tandem with blast trauma, airway injury, and environmental exposure, burn injuries pose a risk not only to life but also to long-term function and operational readiness. This chapter provides a combat-adapted framework for assessing and managing burn casualties using the FORCE approach. It emphasizes early airway evaluation, fluid resuscitation, hypothermia prevention, and the tactical prioritization of burn care interventions when evacuation is delayed or staged. The chapter outlines field protocols for estimating burn severity, initiating pain management, and covering wounds, with guidance on recognizing critical complications, such as inhalation injury, compartment syndrome, and sepsis. The case scenario illustrates the practical application of these principles, guiding combat providers through decision-making during delayed extraction. By integrating trauma care principles with the realities of battlefield conditions, this chapter empowers frontline providers to deliver life- and limb-saving burn care and sustain combat effectiveness.