Moulage of the Month: Chemical Burn

Objective: Using moulage to create a chemical burn.

Time: 1–3 minutes 

Skill Level: Beginner

Supplies: (Shop www.moulageconcepts.com for all your moulage needs)

• Silifex Gel set
• SIM-Safe Blood powder
• SIM-Safe Blood gel
• SIM-Safe Soot powder
• Translucent setting powder
• Caramel color

Equipment:

• Palette knives
• Laminated board
• Blush brush
• Small paint brush
• Large paint brush
• Blow dryer
• Stipple sponge

Technique:

Using a palette knife, remove a large amount (approximately the size of a quarter) of Silifex Gel "A" and place on a palette board (Figure 2). Using a separate palette knife, remove the same amount of Silifix Gel "B" and place on the palette board.  

Using the back of the palette knife, combine ingredients until fully mixed (Figure 3). Note: To ensure long term integrity of both products, use separate palette knives or utensils to remove product from each container prior to combining on palette board as the combination of products creates a chemical reaction that readies it for use. 

Using a palette knife or your fingers, add a very small amount of SIM-Safe Blood powder to Silifix, blending well to achieve a pink-reddish color (Figure 4).

Using a large paint brush, begin spreading Silifex over desired burn area, creating a large, thin layer. Working quickly, gently blot the surface of the Silifix with the stipple sponge using slight pressure to indent the Silifix and create texture (Figure 5). Using a blow dryer on low-cool, gently dry the Silifex until set, approximately 1 minute, or allow to air-dry 2-3 minutes and dry to the touch.

Using your fingers or scissors to create an opening, remove small pieces of Silifix from the center to create skin variations (Figure 6).

Using a blush brush that has been lightly dipped in setting powder, apply powder to the surface of the Silifix to set the piece and decrease stickiness (Figure 7).

Using a stipple sponge that has been dipped in soot powder, lightly apply soot powder to the edges of the Silifix using a gently blotting motion (Figure 8). 

Using a small paint brush, apply blood gel to the areas of removed Silifix and surface of the Silifix (Figure 9). Apply additional blood gel to the soot powder and along the perimeter to create additional wound dimension.   

Quick Fix:

Do you want to create burn patterns along the areas that clothes would adhere? Use tape that is tapered along one end to create burn patterns. Using painters tape, cut off desired length and taper one end to form a point and apply to the body. Apply additional pieces of tape, leaving gaps between the pieces to form a natural burn pattern where the clothes would adhere—chest and arm pits, elbows, groin and thigh, etc. Using a large brush, apply Silifix to exposed skin ensuring all areas are covered to edge of tape. Quickly remove the tap to expose the pattern. If additional definition is desired, paint in using a small brush. Proceed with additional steps.

Dispatch: Medic 32, Respond Code 3 to 101 Kono Way; Seaton Chemical plant. Possible explosion. Nearest cross street, Ridnoss Road. Butte County Fire & Hazmat responding. 0804 hours. Dispatch clear.

On-Scene: Using a make-up sponge, apply white make-up to the face of victim, blending well. Apply chemical burns to face, arms and hands. Place victim lying on the ground, in a puddle of water. Using a match or lighter, burn the front and sides of the hair before placing it on the victim's head. Using a comb, create additional dishevelment by back-combing the wig. Using a large blush brush, apply additional soot to clothing of victim. Advise patient to moan occasionally and try to get up.  

Use in Conjunction With:

• Blood
• Sweat
• Odor
• 2nd degree burns

Cleanup and Storage:

Advise victim to carefully remove the chemical burn from their skin; using their fingers, instruct them to lift the wound around the edges of the Silifex. Using a gentle upward motion, continue to peel away the wound until all Silifex has released from the skin. Using a soft clean cloth or make-up remover towelette, remove the make-up and any remaining product residue from the skin. Burned wig can be stored in moulage box for future use.

Bobbie Merica is the author of Medical Moulage: How to Make Your Simulations Come Alive and owner of Moulage Concepts, an international medical and trauma moulage company that specializes in hospital, trauma, mass casualty and prehospital moulage training, supply and certification. She is certified in Biological/Chemical/Terrorism moulage and WMD terrorism training. Upon discovering the absence of moulage specific to a clinical/hospital setting, she designed and implemented the first in a series of 3D clinical wounds that can be triaged, sutured, debrided and drained, in addition to medical and trauma moulage kits and training courses that are specialized to the medical, military, veterinary and prehospital communities. She is an international speaker, works as a trauma moulage expert for the Bureau of Public Health Emergency Preparedness in both Arizona and Idaho, is a contributing author at EMS World Magazine and is Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program certified. Moulage Concepts—creating training scenarios that look, sound, feel and smell like the real thing. For more information, visit www.moulageconcepts.com.