A structured approach to dealing with the presentation of smoke inhalation injuries should help avoid unnecessary procedures and delays in treatment, says RICHARD JONES

Despite multidisciplinary approaches to fire prevention, fires continue to cause casualties and fatalities (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 2001). Most fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation because people are overcome by smoke and toxins before they are injured by heat and flame (Campbell 2000, Weibelhaus et al 2001). The extent of injury is unpredictable because it depends on several variable factors, so managing these patients concentrates on support and treatment of symptoms as they arise.