Man in his 30s fighting for his life after suspected ’chemical attack’
Five people have been arrested after a man was attacked with a ‘chemical’ substance on a high street.
The man, who is in his 30s, was left in a critical condition and potentially life-changing injuries following the attack in Paignton, Devon.
He was attacked in Victoria Street at around 1.10am last Thursday when he was approached by two men.
One of them threw a liquid in his face, leaving the man fighting for life.
Police have arrested a man, 46, from the town on suspicion of applying a corrosive fluid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
A man and a woman, both aged 44, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
A 43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent.
A man, aged 22, was arrested on suspicion causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
They were all from the town and are believed to have known one another.
Police have increased patrols in the area and the suspects have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
First aid for an acid attack
If someone has been sprayed with an unknown substance it’s recommended you follow three urgent steps: call 999 to report the attack, remove contaminated clothing carefully, and rinse the skin immediately in running water.
You should try to remove as much contaminated clothing as possible, using gloves or other protective materials to protect your own hands – and if possible you should cut away clothes like t-shirts rather than pulling them over the victim’s head.
It’s important not to wipe the skin as it may spread the substance further, and to try not to spread the contaminant further.
How to treat an acid burn
A chemical burn can continue to cause damage for hours after the substance makes contact with the skin.
To treat this, the affected area should be rinsed with clean water for at least 20 minutes.
You should prioritise rinsing the eyes, face, and airways first before turning to other areas of the body.
Don’t allow the victim to touch their eyes, in case they still have acid on their hands, and don’t try to forcibly remove contact lenses.
One bottle of water is not enough – ideally you would need to use a tap, hosepipe or shower to completely douse the victim.
And you should only use water to rinse the affected area – don’t wipe or rub the skin.
Ensure you have called 999 as soon as possible, so paramedics can take the victim to hospital as soon as possible.
How to treat acid burns without becoming contaminated yourself
Even if you’ve got the best intentions, it’s possible to become injured while helping someone else with chemical burns if you’re not careful.
Here are some ways to ensure you don’t become a secondary casualty:
- Don’t pull clothing that has stuck to the skin
- Wear gloves or other protective clothing
- Avoid the urge to brush the chemical off with your hands
- If the substance is in powder form, use a piece of clothing or similar to brush it away and protect your skin
What kind of treatment would I get for acid burns in hospital?
After arriving in hospital, treatment would include:
- Continuing to wash off the corrosive substance with water until it’s completely removed
- Cleaning the burn and covering it with an appropriate dressing
- Pain relief
- A tetanus jab if necessary
Minor burns will need to have their dressings checked and changed regularly to avoid infection.
However more severe burns would see the victim referred to a specialist unit, which could result in a skin graft.
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