Treating a chemical burn in Tactical Combat Casualty Care starts with submerging the affected area in water.

First thing first: submerge the area in water

Let me explain the core idea in plain terms. When a chemical burns skin, the real danger isn’t finished damage from the chemical already on the skin alone—it’s ongoing damage as the chemical continues to act. The fastest, simplest, most effective way to halt that damage is to wash it away. In field care terms, that means submerging the affected area in clean water as soon as you can.

You’ll hear a lot of talk about decontamination in tactical settings, and rightfully so. Water works because it dilutes and washes away chemicals, reducing how much your body absorbs and how deep the injury goes. It’s not about a fancy ointment or a quick rubdown; it’s about removing the agent from the skin before more harm happens. So yes, submerging is the first move—and it’s the move that buys time for everything else you’ll do next.

Why not cream or a dry dressing as the first step?

If you’re tempted to reach for a cream, a paste, or a dry dressing right away, you’re skipping the most critical battle line. Creams and dressings have their roles, but they don’t remove the chemical. They can seal in what you’re trying to rinse off. And a dry dressing on an active chemical exposure can trap residues against the skin, prolonging tissue damage. In the chaos of a real scene, you want to prioritize removing the chemical before you layer on anything else. The first action is decontamination; everything else comes after.

And what about calling for specialized help?

Calling for additional medical support is essential, especially if exposure is extensive, involves eyes, or the casualty shows signs of systemic symptoms like dizziness or trouble breathing. But even before help arrives, you still do the basic decon. You don’t wait for a clinician to start washing away the chemical. In other words: get the chemical off the skin first, then bring in more help if you need it. Decontamination remains the priority, the foundation upon which all other care rests.

Let me break down how you actually do this in the field

• Act quickly and safely. If you’re alone with a casualty, establish a clean, flowing water source. If you’re in a combat environment, use any accessible water—drinking water, field water, even a rain catch—so long as it’s relatively clean. The goal is sustained irrigation, not a quick rinse.

• Remove contaminated materials. Gently take off clothing or jewelry that’s wet with chemical or that traps residues next to the skin. If there are dry powders on the skin, brush them away carefully with gloved hands or a clean cloth before you start flushing. Don’t rub aggressively; you’re trying to remove residue, not spread it.

• Irrigate thoroughly. Flood or submerge the affected area with a continuous stream of clean water. For skin exposure, aim for at least 15 to 30 minutes of irrigation if possible. Eyes deserve a longer, continuous flush—often 15 to 30 minutes with a sterile saline solution or clean water. The key is constant flow so the chemical doesn’t linger on the skin.

• Don’t neutralize on the spot. Some chemicals react to bases or acids; you might think a quick neutralizer would help, but neutralization can generate heat, cause extra chemical reactions, or release harmful byproducts. For most battlefield scenarios, dilution and removal with water is safer and more effective.

• After irrigation, assess what you have. Inspect for blistering, pale or ashen skin, or spreading redness. Check for numbness, tingling, or signs that the injury is more than a surface burn. If the exposure was to the eyes, keep the casualty calm and continue to irrigate until medical help can take over.

• Cover and transport thoughtfully. Once decontamination is underway or complete, you can apply a clean, loose dressing to skin burns if you’re following a standard field protocol. For eye injuries, use an eye shield or clean cup or container to prevent rubbing and continue transport to an appropriate facility. Throughout, minimize further damage and keep the casualty warm and comfortable.

What makes chemical burns different from other injuries

Chemical burns aren’t just about a wound; they’re about chemistry in disguise. The burn isn’t a single moment—it’s a process that can keep chewing away at tissue as long as residue sits on the skin. That’s why the decontamination step is so emphasized in tactical care: it stops the damage at the source. It also reduces the chance of secondary exposure—especially if the casualty is moving through gear, armor, or a vehicle—where residue can rub off and contaminate others.

A quick tangent worth keeping in mind: timing matters. The sooner you start irrigation after exposure, the less tissue damage you’re likely to see. If you’re in a setting with multiple casualties or volatile conditions, assign a dedicated decon role if you can. One person focuses on washing, another on monitoring vitals and comfort. It’s not a luxury; it’s a smart way to keep the scene under control when chaos looms.

Eye exposures deserve their own emphasis

Eyes are particularly sensitive to chemicals, and irrigation is even more critical here. If a chemical splashes into the eye, begin continuous irrigation immediately with clean water or saline. Keep the eye open and gently hold the eyelid away from the eyeball to ensure the solution flows across the surface. Avoid covering the eye with anything that might press on it. If pain persists or vision changes after irrigation, that’s a red flag that medical evaluation is needed fast.

Common missteps you’ll want to avoid

• Waiting to see if symptoms worsen before acting. Chemical burns can seem minor at first but can escalate quickly. Irrigation should start as soon as you can, even if you’re not sure how bad it is.

• Rubbing or massaging. It might feel instinctive to rub away the chemical, but that can grind it deeper into tissue.

• Skipping decon because you want to “save” water for later. Decontamination should be the priority; it’s the investing that pays off in better outcomes.

• Assuming all chemicals behave the same. The general rule remains: water is your friend. If you know the specific agent, you may have tailored steps, but water-based irrigation is widely effective for many exposure scenarios until you can get expert guidance.

A field-ready mindset: stay calm, stay practical

In real-world work, you’ll find you can handle chemical burns with a calm plan and a practical toolkit. You don’t need a fancy protocol to do the basics well. Here’s a compact checklist you can keep in your head or on a quick reference card:

• Identify exposure and move resources to the casualty quickly

• Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry

• Brush away dry residues if present, without rubbing

• Begin continuous irrigation with clean water or saline for 15–30 minutes

• For eyes, irrigate for 15–30 minutes and seek urgent care

• After decon, cover the wound with a clean dressing if appropriate and transport

The long view: why decontamination supports better outcomes

When you remove the chemical, you reduce tissue destruction, pain, and the risk of infection. You also lessen the chance of secondary exposure to teammates and bystanders. In the field, every minute you save with decisive decontamination translates into a more stable casualty and a smoother handoff to medical facilities. It’s practical, it’s effective, and it’s what good tactical care rests on.

Real-world flavor: scenarios that make this stick

Imagine you’re leading a small convoy through rough terrain, a stash of chemicals is spilled nearby, and a squad member gets dampened by a liquid agent. The first move isn’t to rush to a fancy dressing or to call in support only. It’s to pull out a clean water source, strip away the contaminated gloves and clothing, and flood the skin with steady streams of water. You keep the person warm, you don’t congestion the space, and you communicate what you’re doing so everyone stays calm. After that immediate clean-up, you assess the casualty for additional injuries, decide if urgent evacuation is needed, and call in the medical team. The difference between improvising and having a straightforward decon sequence is the difference between a worse outcome and a survivable injury.

A few practical resources you might encounter on the field

• Personal decontamination kits that include protective gloves and a water source

• Portable eyewash stations for quick access in the field

• Clean rags and sterile dressings to cover the area after irrigation

• Clear, concise action cards that remind responders of the decon sequence without slowing down the operation

Closing thought: the simplest steps often have the strongest impact

In the heat of any tactical scenario, it’s natural to want to speed through the immediate care and jump to the next task. But when a chemical burn is involved, the simplest step—submerging the affected skin in clean water and keeping the flow steady—can be the most powerful move you make. It buys time, reduces harm, and buys you a clearer path to further treatment. So, next time you’re faced with a chemical exposure, remember the first, most important action: wash it away with water.

If you’re building your readiness toolbox, keep this principle front and center. Decontamination isn’t just a protocol; it’s the practical habit that protects both casualty and responder. And in the end, that clarity and calm is what makes tactical care work when it really matters.