Quick response and careful treatment critical for victim of serious burn.

For a long time, the only acceptable treatment for a white phosphorous burn was to keep it covered with water until a physician extracted the phosphorous. When the water dried up or ran-off, contact with air caused the burn to re-ignite. This is a serious problem, especially under battle conditions where water may by scarce or non-existent, and the ability to remove the victim quickly to a treatment facility is severely hampered.