After reading the horrific story of Katie Piper who got Acid thrown in her face

[Honerina]

http://www.dailymail....end-Daniel-Lynch.html

This has really frightened me and in the unlikely but possibility of being attacked with acid what is the best thing at hand to protect your skin in an acid attack? Water, milk, butter? Something else?

[Hopkirk]

Surely it has to be lashings of water?

If you don't know what it is, then trying to counteract acid with alkali could backfire badly.

Milk could introduce bacteria, and the old wives tale of butter on a burn has been debunked now so I doubt it would be advised here.

Dilution and washing off must surely be the way.

If no plain water is available then the any water based liquid has got to be better than nothing.

[daffy654]

Wash off with water and then cover in cling film whilst waiting for medical help.

[heathfield]

Sodium Bicarbonate, as found in baking powder,will neutralise acids.

[pdust]

i would have said exactly what daffy said

[pastafreak]

I wonder if any of us would have the presence of mind to rinse and wrap while dealing with must be excruciating pain?

[tonyav]

Water.

[pdust]

it doesnt mean she keeps bad company katie

[Honerina]

"I wonder if any of us would have the presence of mind to rinse and wrap while dealing with must be excruciating pain?"

I agree pastafreak I asked the question in the sense if you were attacked in the home or near a shop and just needed something immediately to wash it off.
Obviously the full first aid procedure would be the best form of help, but as pastafreak said if you're burning, in pain, shock and don't know what's happening the last thing you'll think about is the best first aid procedures.
Maybe if you're administering first aid but unlikely as a victim.

[Honerina]

"What sort of company do you keep"
Katiekonker, i keep law abiding friendly company but anyone could have the potential to snap and do something crazy like this or this kind of attack could come from a complete stranger so i'ts better to be in the know then not hence my question.

[Honerina]

Don't worry about it katie, i suppose if i had asked the question but regarding radiation burns or something similar it would've also raised a few eyebrows :)

[tonyav]

Especially on the knees!

[pdust]

LOL easy mistake on here katie and if the birthday wishes were for me..thanks :) if they were for someone else...happy birthday twinnie lol

[daffy654]

My first reaction to any type of burn is (and would be) to get it under a cold tap. It helps to ease the pain.

[Electrochem]

Water would only be of use if you had a large quantity. When preparing solutions of acids, the old adage is *acid to water, like you oughta". If you had a large amount of acid and put a small amount of water it would cause an exothermic reaction and generate a lot of heat. Some of the labs I have worked in have emergency showers, that would drench you from head to toe in seconds.