Moulage of the Month: Industrial Response, Chemical Burns

Moulage of the Month is sponsored by Nasco.

Skill Level:

Beginner

Time Frame:

1-2 minutes

Ingredients:

Bright red make-up, cream or powder

Burn red make-up, cream or powder

Equipment:

2 paint brushes, Large

Cutting tool or scissors

Painters tape, cut into 6 inch pieces

Technique:

Adhere painters tape flat, adhesive side down, on (cut resistant) surface. Using a cutters tool or scissors, create elongated strips of tape by drawing the blade through the tape, lengthwise and tapering to a "point." Lift strips of tape from surface and apply directly to the skin, along the upper thighs, knees, elbows or anywhere clothing would normally fold and gather on a patient in a sitting position. See Figure 1.  

To indicate areas of high level chemical saturation:

Using a paint brush that has been dipped in bright red colorant, lightly blot the surface of the skin, around the taped edges and blending outward into the natural skin. Using the same technique, create areas of deeper burns by apply the burn red colorant over the bright red areas and along the edges of the tape strips. Apply additional colorant as needed to intensify the burn pattern and blend into surrounding skin. See Figure 2.

Dispatch:

Medic 12, Respond Code 3 to 1899 Industrial Park. Multiple 911 calls; Unknown injuries. 1515 Dispatch clear.

On Scene:

Place several standardized patients outside of building, sitting against the wall. When responding to interactions with responders, advise standardized patients to speak with hoarseness and symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Advise personnel of other workers inside of building.  

Inside of enclosed building: Create a large patient response scenario using both standardized patients and simulators inside of a small, enclosed building.

Near doorway, apply chlorine burns to arms, legs and neck of adult simulators. Using a makeup sponge or your fingers, liberally apply white makeup to the face, blotting lightly to create mottling and blending well into the jaw and hairline. Using a small paint brush or cotton swab, create eye and nasal passage reddening by apply a small amount of red colorant to skin and surrounding tissue and blending outward toward the natural skin. Using simulated tears/secretions, apply eye tearing and mucous around nasal passages and corners of eyes. Set patient vitals to indicate tachycardia and wheezing.

Quick Fix:

To create burn patterns, care should be taken to alternate the intensity of color placed on the skin by the amount of pressure applied to the applicator and allowing some of the victims natural skin color to show through. Using simulator safe make-up, secretions and pus products allows thorough coverage without absorbing into the skin and enabling you to quickly fix areas of over-application. See SIM-Safe Secretions, Make-up and Pus, available at Nasco.

Cleanup and Storage:

Using a soft clean cloth or make-up remover, remove product residue from the simulators skin.

Bobbie Merica is a medical/trauma moulage expert, author and CEO of Moulage Concepts, a nationwide moulage company specializing in training, supplies and education. Utilizing best practice techniques, Bobbie's teaching methods have simplified the complex, enabling everyone to create Moulage that is quick, cost effective and convincing. Get her free tutorial blog with expert weigh-in at www.moulageconcepts.com/blog and join us in creating moulage that looks, feels, sounds, and even smells like the real thing! Recipe referenced from Medical Moulage-Making Your Simulations Come Alive.