What is the minimum duration for hot water immersion in this protocol?

• A. 5 minutes
• B. 60 minutes
• C. At least 20 minutes
• D. 2 minutes

Answer: (C)

Cooling a heat-exposed area requires a sustained immersion to pull heat away from the skin and slow tissue damage. The protocol sets a minimum duration of at least 20 minutes because only a longer immersion allows enough heat transfer to reduce tissue temperature effectively. Shorter times won’t cool the area adequately and could let injury progress, while an extremely long immersion isn’t typically necessary and can introduce other risks like hypothermia. So, aim for at least 20 minutes of immersion, using cool or tepid water, and seek medical care if the burn is extensive or there’s chemical exposure.